U.S. President Barack Obama joined the meeting of Prime Minister Iurie Leanca and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden at the White House. The official came to personally congratulate the Moldovan Premier on the initialing of the Association Agreement with the EU at the Vilnius EaP Summit last November, IPN reports, quoting a communiqué from the Government’s press service.

“The United States supports Moldova’s European course. We understand that this road is not an easy one. We support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Moldova,” said Barack Obama, adding that the U.S. will make everything possible to stabilize the situation in the region.

For his part, Prime Minister Iurie Leanca thanked the U.S. for its generous support. He assured that Moldova is a good friend of the U.S. administration.

In the same connection, Joe Biden welcomed the launch of the strategic dialogue between Moldova and the United States, which will enhance bilateral cooperation.

In a news conference held by the Moldovan Prime Minister and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, the U.S. official told the journalists that he was impressed by the quality of the Moldovan wines that he tasted in the underground town Cricova last December.

Iurie Leanca said the joint efforts of the U.S. and the EU will boost Moldova’s European agenda. “Moreover, the support of the U.S. will ensure the irreversibility of the democratic transformations,” he stated, adding that the reformation of justice and corruption combating are the Government’s priorities. He thanked the U.S. for the assistance provided in implementing the justice sector reform.

The Premier also discussed possibilities of increasing trade between Moldova and the U.S. with President Obama’s principal advisor, negotiator and spokesperson on international trade and investment issues Michael Froman. Another issue discussed was the negotiation and signing of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement between the two countries.