Moldovan acting PM says Moldova-Lithuania relations to continue developing in same pace, spirit of friendship

Chisinau, 25 February /MOLDPRES/ - Acting Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Aureliu Ciocoi today met Foreign Affairs Minister of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis, on a working visit to Moldova,  at an invitation by the Moldovan diplomacy head, the Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry’s (MAEIE) press service has reported.     

During a plenary session of the two states’ delegations, the foreign affairs ministers discussed a wide range of subjects on the bilateral Moldovan-Lithuanian agenda, including the pandemic situation in both countries, aspects of Moldova’s European integration process, the Eastern Partnership Summit, as well as other current files.    

Aureliu Ciocoi highlighted that the cooperation relations between the two countries had consolidated and deepened constantly during years. At the same time, in the beginning of this year, despite the restrictions triggered by the pandemic, there were more contacts between the two foreign affairs ministries, including the holding of inter-ministerial political consultations in last July. The Moldovan diplomacy head pointed out the important progress made in the bilateral dialogue, as Lithuania actively contributed to the achievement of the priority goals and carrying out of the modernization reforms in Moldova.    

Foreign Affairs Ministers Aureliu Ciocoi and Gabrielius Landsbergis referred to the developments in the implementation of the Association Agreement, Moldova’s dialogue with the European Union, the Moldovan authorities’ agenda of reforms in key sectors, such as the justice field and combating corruption, as well as prospects for turning to good account the Moldovan-Lithuanian contacts in the European integration sector.  

Also, the two diplomacy heads tackled issues on the regional security, with emphasis on the Transnistrian file. In the context, the acting prime minister thanked the Lithuanian side for consistency and solidarity proved both in the bilateral relations and on multilateral platforms, as to the efforts undertaken by Chisinau, including in the 5+2 format of talks, on the sustainable settlement of this conflicts, by keeping the course of the country’s modernization, based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity, within the internationally recognized borders of Moldova.    

Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis reconfirmed his country’s willingness to fully support the reforms’ process in Moldova and encouraged the continuation of the initiatives underway. He also spoke out for the promotion of the democratic values and implementation of the reforms necessary in the interest of Moldova’s citizens. Landsbergis also stressed that Lithuania was an active promoter of Moldova’s European agenda, as well as of the Eastern Partnership initiative, which is actively expressed also in the European Union’s structures at the highest level. In the context, the Lithuanian official informed about the Vilnius authorities’ intention to provide Moldova with anti-COVID-19 vaccine on the bilateral line.    

The acting PM thanked his Lithuanian counterpart for the assistance provided to Moldova on behalf of Lithuania in 2020, as well as for the letter initiated by Lithuania, signed by 13 EU member states, addressed to the European leaders. The letter requested the facilitation of the access to the Covid-19 vaccine for the Eastern Partnership countries, including Moldova.    

Aureliu Ciocoi and Gabrielius Landsbergis exchanged opinions on the present evolutions within the Eastern Partnership, on the complexity of the regional and international situation. As for the topic on Moldova’s European agenda, Aureliu Ciocoi emphasized the incontestable role of Lithuania in backing the efforts of Moldova’s European integration on the dimension of bilateral contacts, including through the high-level advisers.    

photo: MAEIE