The EU budget support for implementing four assessed programs will be allocated to the Republic of Moldova by the end of this year, European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn announced in a meeting with Prime Minister Pavel Filip, IPN reports.

According to the Government’s press service, the officials also discussed the implementation of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement and the priorities of the partnership for the immediate period. The Premier appreciated the constant dialogue between Moldova and the EU member states, noting that a number of bilateral meetings were held during the past two months.

For his part, Johannes Hahn congratulated Moldova on the signing of agreement on the provision of macro-financial assistance by the EU and encouraged the authorities to continue doing reforms, underlining that the EU will support all the measures aimed at developing democracy and the rule of law.

Among other subjects discussed by the officials was the dynamics of the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks, including the opening of the bridge that connects the villages Gura Bicului and Bychok. Johannes Hahn welcomed the progress made in the settlement process and in building confidence between the two banks of the Nistru.

The stability of the political situation in Moldova is ensured by the responsible state institutions whose efficiency will increase when the central public administration reform is completed, Pavel Filip stated in the meeting with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk. The officials exchanged opinions on the progress made in implementing the Association Agreement and on the internal situation in Moldova.

Pavel Filip said the last polls show an increase in the number of persons who want Moldova to integrate into the EU. For his part, Donald Tusk said Moldova is one of the most important players in the Eastern Partnership and welcomed the rise in the EU’s popularity among the Moldovans, noting that Moldova has enough friends in the EU to continue filmy on its path of European integration and assured of overall support in the reformation process.

Prime Minister Pavel Filip is paying a working visit to Brussels where he is taking part in the fifth Eastern Partnership Summit held between November 22 and 25.