Moldovan foreign affairs minister has meetings with Italian high-ranking officials

Chisinau, 15 September /MOLDPRES/ - Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Nicu Popescu has had more meetings with high-ranking officials, as well as a spiritual meeting with members of the Moldovan Diaspora, on the sidelines of his working visit to Rome, the Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry’s (MAEIE) press service has reported.     

Nicu Popescu and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani discussed Moldova’s European integration way and the country’s significant progress in the implementation of those nine recommendations of the European Commission. Along with Minister Tajani, the Moldovan official signed a joint declaration on the consolidation of the Moldovan-Italian strategic partnership. At the same time, the Moldovan foreign affairs minister exchanged opinions with experts of the European Council on Foreign Affairs on the subject of Moldova’s accession to EU.     

Nicu Popescu also had meetings with Minister for European Affairs, South and Cohesion Policies Raffaele Fitto and Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Edmondo Cirielli. The sides discussed the Moldovan authorities’ firm commitment to advance on the agenda of pro-European reforms.    

„In Vatican, I had a meeting with Secretary for Relations with States within the Holy See's Secretariat of State, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher. We touched upon the dramatic consequences of Russia’s unjust war against Ukraine, the humanitarian crisis triggered by this conflict, including Moldova’s contribution to the hosting of Ukrainian refugees and highlighted the importance of the dialogue in the international relations.      

I discussed with the Moldovan Diaspora in Italy the situation in Moldova, our efforts to preserve peace, stability and quickly move in the direction of accession to the European Union, as well as about our very good cooperation with Italy. I encouraged the Diaspora to promote Moldova in Italy as a tourist and business destination. I informed our fellow countrymen also about the efforts at the ministry to digitalize the consular services, recent launch of the service of online scheduling in test regime, development of the e-consulate application and the cutting of the consular taxes by 50 per cent starting from this year.     

With the help of the governmental team, we will back also other initiatives demanded by the citizens, including the process of negotiation on the transformation of driver’s licences. The agreement on the social protection between our countries will soon enter into force.  

I also gave an interview with the La Reppublica publication. In a discussion with journalist Tonia Mastrobuoni, I referred to the process of Moldova’s accession to EU, implementation of those nine recommendations of the European Commission, as well as to the excellent relations between our states.’’ Nicu Popescu added.   Photo: MAEIE