Moldovan deputy premier on working visit to Serbia

Chisinau, 13 February /MOLDPRES/- "The Moldovan-Serbian relations are excellent, but the level of economic cooperation does not correspond to the possibilities". Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Iurie Leanca made the statement, who on 12 February had a working visit to Belgrade. He had meetings with Serbian President Aleksandr Vucic, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.

The sides described as excellent the bilateral relations, and noted that the economic cooperation level does not correspond to possibilities and the strengthening of trade, investment and any other economic cooperation is of common interest. They also pointed out the need to encourage business people from both countries to set out new ways of cooperation, as well as to attend economic events and fairs organized in Serbia and Moldova. In this context, they noted the need to improve the legal framework between the two countries, in particular the need to sign the Agreement on Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investments.

The sides reconfirmed their attachment to the principles of international law, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Moldova and Serbia will continue to support each other in international organizations to find solutions to the Transnistrian conflict and Kosovo-Metohia conflict through negotiation and dialogue between the parties. In this context, the Serbian thanked Moldova for the participation of Moldovan soldiers in KFOR (NATO forces in Kosovo).

President Vucic presented the priorities of Serbia's foreign policy, and highlighted Belgrade's goal to join the European Union, and to continue promoting traditional friendship and cooperation with Russia, as well as developing relations with other countries.

For his part, Leanca approached the complexity of Moldovan-Russian relations, complexity caused by the illegal presence of the Russian troops in the eastern districts of Moldova and supporting Transnistrian separatism by Russia.

The Deputy Prime Minister appreciated the reforms in Serbia and expressed the interest of Moldova, as a member of the Eastern Partnership, whose foreign policy priority is to join the EU, to use the Serbian experience in the European integration process. In this context, Leanca also stressed the importance of regional cooperation and Moldova's interest in being part of the cooperation mechanisms in the Western Balkans.