Moldovan PM meets European Council President

Chisinau, 4 May /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita and European Council President Charles Michel discussed the latest developments in the European integration process, as well as aspects concerning the security state in the region at a meeting today, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.    

The officials noted that the war in Ukraine had major humanitarian and economic consequences on Moldova and the latter needs to be backed in maintaining the stability, enhancing the resilience and efficient management of crises. 

The PM said that, given the application on accession to EU, the process of filling in the European Union’s Questionnaire was in full swing. ‘’We are determined to firmly continue our way towards the European integration. A big team of people from public authorities and the civil society – everybody works with dedication at the filling in of the questionnaire and this speaks, once again, about our power of mobilization, as well as the incontestable wish to be part of the free world and everything which means European values. We will continue to work with determination, although we know that this is a long road to be covered and this is a lasting process,’’ Natalia Gavrilita said.   

The sides also referred to the priorities on the Moldovan authorities’ agenda, which regards the continuation of the justice reform, fighting corruption and strengthening the cooperation with the European Union on the economic and commercial segment. The prime minister appreciated the EU states’ involvement through the providing of humanitarian assistance and budgetary support in grants and relocation of refugees. Gavrilita asked for additional support for ensuring the food security, facilitation of trade and goods transport, as well as backing the vulnerable categories in the conditions of prices’ increases.      

The officials also referred to the need of undertaking concrete actions, in order to enhance the energy resilience of Moldova, including through the diversification of sources of energy supply. In the context, the PM thanked for Moldova’s inclusion in the platform of joint gas procurement. The platform launched by EU allows the countries to jointly buy liquefied natural gas.   

Appreciating the efforts made by the cabinet to manage the latest challenges, Charles Michel said that the European Union would further support Moldova. ‘’I am happy that we are able to discuss with you the problems faced by Moldova and to learn how you cope and what assistance you need. Thus, we can focus our efforts where it is necessary, efficiently. I know that Moldova has many friends and I assure you that the European Council is one of those devoted friends,’’ the EU official said.    

Photo: Government