EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht will travel to Moldova on February 27 to launch negotiations on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between the EU and Moldova, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a press release from the European Commission. Together with Acting President Marian Lupu and Prime Minister Vladimir Filat, Commissioner De Gucht will launch the free trade area negotiations and confirm the parameters within which the lead negotiators will operate. For the same purpose, Karel De Gucht will pay a visit to Georgia on February 28. “The free trade area will be a key vehicle to advance Moldova's and Georgia's trade and economic ties with the EU,” said Commissioner De Gucht. “I am confident that these negotiations will move ahead swiftly and pave the way to closer economic ties with the EU. The opening of negotiations confirms the EU's commitment to deepen progressive economic integration and political association with our Eastern Partners.” The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas will be part of the Association Agreements currently being negotiated with Georgia and Moldova, which have the overall objective to significantly deepen political association and economic integration with these Eastern Partner countries.