Moldovan, American officials broach cooperation

Chisinau, 20 September /MOLDPRES/- Fiona Hill, Deputy Assistant to U.S. President, Senior Director for European and Russian Affairs at the National Security Council, encouraged further reforms in Moldova at a meeting with Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu, the parliament’s communication and public relations department has reported.

The American official pointed out the importance of economic growth and mentioned the need to ensure free and fair elections in 2019. Hill welcomed the initiative to establish a Strategic Coordination Center for Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine. In the context, she emphasized the need to work together to halt Russian influence in the Eastern region of Europe.

For his part, Candu approached the actions to strengthening trilateral cooperation with Ukraine and Georgia, exchange of expertise between the three countries for the implementation of the Association Agreement with the EU, as well as the project related to the Strategic Coordination Center. In the context, he spoke about the norms in media law that stop propaganda.

Also, the speaker spoke about the reform in the financial and banking sector, which brought stability and credibility of the banking system. Referring to energy security, he informed about the ongoing projects for the diversification of electricity and gas sources.

Candu talked about the reform agenda, noting that some elements of implementation are not related to political will, but to the time needed for the rules to be translated into life.

Candu is on a visit to the United States as deputy head of the Democratic Party of Moldova.

Expenses of this trip are not covered by public funds.