EU coordinates inside assistance due to be offered to neighboring countries on Covid-19

Chisinau, 24 March /MOLDPRES/- Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Oleg Țulea had a telephone conversation with European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi on Monday, the MAEIE’s press service has reported.

Țulea said that the Moldovan government is fully committed to the implementation of the Association Agreement and the advancement of the European integration of the country. The authorities will continue to focus on ensuring intense political dialogue and sectoral cooperation with the EU. Commissioner Várhelyi was informed about the authorities' actions on priority reforms.

Both officials pointed out the importance of proper public communication on issues related to Moldova-EU dialogue, as well as counteracting misinformation and fake news. In this context, Țulea strongly disapproved the recent case on occurrence in the Moldovan press of the letter made to a high European official.

Special attention was paid to EU-Moldova cooperation in countering the COVID-19 pandemic. Țulea informed Várhelyi about the current situation in Moldova, also referring to existing assistance needs to manage the situation.

Várhelyi informed that the EU is currently coordinating inside assistance that could be offered to the neighboring countries, the Moldovan authorities will be informed on the matter in the near future.

Also, the Moldovan official requested the assistance of the European institutions in facilitating the repatriation of Moldovan citizens from the EU territory, as well as the exports of products of great importance in the crisis.

Țulea praised the EU Communication on the future objectives of the Eastern Partnership, noting that it provides a good basis to promote more ambitious cooperation in post-2020 period.

Officials have agreed to remain in close contact to coordinate actions.