Moldovan, Greek foreign affairs ministers discuss bilateral cooperation in Athens

Chisinau, 12 October /MOLDPRES/ - The implementation of the Association Agreement represents, in continuation, a strategic priority for Moldova and we have determination to attach an irreversible character to the country’s European integration. Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Tudor Ulianovschi made statements to this effect at a today’s meeting with his Greek counterpart  Nikos Kotzias in Athens today, the Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry’s (MAEIE) public diplomacy, strategic communication and media interaction service has reported.  

Minister Tudor Ulianovschi thanked the government of Greece for the support provided to Moldova in the European integration process, in the promotion and implementation of modernization goals, according to the provisions of the Moldova – EU Association Agreement. The minister noted that, namely during the presidency of Greece at EU, Moldova had got the liberalized visa regime for its citizens and signed the Association Agreement, which includes also the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). In the context, the Moldovan diplomacy head appreciated the backing of Greece for Moldova’s territorial integrity, especially through the support provided at the General Assembly of the United Nations from 22 June 2018 on the support for the Resolution, put up by the Moldovan authorities on the subject of withdrawal of the foreign military forces from Moldova’s territory.

Referring to the Moldovan-Hellenic relations, Minister Tudor Ulianovschi reiterated the Moldovan authorities’ interest in the development and deepening of the political dialogue. He also proposed to hold political inter-ministerial consultations on bilateral cooperation, as well as on the European integration in Chisinau.     

The officials exchanged opinions on the collaboration within various regional and international organizations, especially UN, OSCE, Council of Europe and others. Tudor Ulianovschi and Nikos Kotzias described the commercial and economic relations between Moldova and Greece as positive and welcomed an increase in the pace of trade exchanges between the two states by over 37 per cent in the first six months of 2018 against the same period of 2017. To deepen the bilateral ties, the sides agreed to hold a meeting of the Moldovan-Greek inter-governmental commission for economic, commercial, technical and scientific cooperation in Chisinau in next December, the participants in which are to set new partnerships of Moldovan-Hellenic collaboration.   

For his park, the Greek foreign affairs minister reiterated the Hellenic authorities’ position on backing Moldova’s efforts in the European integration process and achieving the goals taken within the Association Agreement, as well as the programme on the country’s modernization and development, implemented by the Moldovan cabinet. “In the discussions with my counterpart Tudor Ulianovschi, we clearly pointed out that we must strengthen the relations with Moldova within the Eastern Partnership and, at the EaP meeting due in Luxembourg on next Monday, I will stress that Moldova is a special case among the other EaP states and all prejudices and stereotypes regarding this country should be removed,” the Greek foreign affairs minister said.   

At the dialogue, the Hellenic foreign affairs minister informed Tudor Ulianovschi about willingness to provide assistance for the organization and work of the Diplomatic Institute at MAEIE through exchange of experience between experts from both states in the concerned sector.