Moldova willing pragmatic dialogue with Russia, aimed at mutually advantageous partnership

Chisinau, 17 November /MOLDPRES/ - Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Affair and European Integration Minister Nicu Popescu today had a bilateral meeting  with Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov, the Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry’s (MAEIE) press service has reported.   

The officials exchanged opinions and noted more important aspects in the bilateral relation, such as the strengthening of the political dialogue, including the high-level one, boosting of the commercial and economic relations, ensuring the access of Moldovan products to the Russian market, completing the procedures as to the signing of the agreement on social protection, for the benefit of the two countries’ citizens, Transnistrian conflict settlement.

Deputy PM Nicu Popescu thanked the Russian authorities for the humanitarian assistance provided to Moldova in the fight with the COVID-19 pandemic, which comprised vaccines, medical equipment, anti-COVID tests, medicines, consumables and accessories. Also on this occasion, the foreign affairs ministers welcomed the recent conclusion by the Moldova-Gaz and Gazprom companies of the contract on supply of natural gas to Moldova.

„I reconfirmed Moldova’s position of principle on the need to settle the Transnistrian conflict based on the observance of Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. I also expressed support for continuing the negotiations in the 5+2 format and organizing a round of talks in this format in the near future,’’ Nicu Popescu said.  

At the same time, the two diplomacy heads discussed ways of implementing Russia’s initiative on the destruction of the ammunitions stocked in the military depot from Cobasna. In the context, Popescu reiterated Moldova’s position of principle as to the need to resume the process of withdrawal of the Russian troops deployed in the Transnistrian region.    

„We stressed along with Mr. Lavrov the need to maintain an active communication between the foreign affairs ministries and in this respect, we signed a new plan of consultations between both state’s  foreign affairs ministries for 2022-2023,’’ Minister Nicu Popescu noted.   

In the end of the meeting, Ministers Nicu Popescu and Serghei Lavrov signed a joint declaration on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of signing of the treaty on friendship and cooperation between Moldova and Russia on 19 November and welcomed its extension.  

Also, the Moldovan deputy PM discussed with Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, Grigory Karasin perspectives of fostering the cooperation between the Moldovan and Russian parliaments, including between the parliamentary friendship groups.     

Photo: MAEIE