The official Chisinau restored the relations with the states of the world, which had been deteriorated the past few years owing to the deviations witnessed in the Republic of Moldova. The current intense contacts with foreign officials are a proof of the development partners’ support for the new Moldovan government, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Nicu Popescu stated in a news conference held jointly with his Czech counterpart Jakub Kulhánek, who is paying a visit to the Republic of Moldova, IPN reports.

Appreciating the value of the Association Agreement and the functioning of the Free Trade Area with the EU, the Moldovan minister said that these enabled Moldova to survive as a country when the resuscitation of the so-called “traditional ties” seemed to be the only development direction. Effort continues to be made to fulfill the commitments undertaken by the Agreement, such as good governance, building of the rule of law and fighting of corruption, and to also cooperate in the protection of the environment, digitization, etc., which are covered by the Agreement less. This aspect was discussed with Minister Jakub Kulhánek and also with the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves Le Drian. The given states will hold the presidency of the European Union in 2022 and Moldova’s agenda should be known and supported.

The minister welcomed the fact that the Czech Republic is on the fifth place on the list of global importers and the third among European importers of Moldovan wine. The fifth meeting of the bilateral economic cooperation commission and a business forum are planned to be held next year.

Noting that the Republic of Moldova is not only an important partner, but also a friend and a  close country, Jakub Kulhanek encouraged Chisinau to implement the provisions of the Association Agreement with temerity. He called on the EU to be more active in assisting the Republic of Moldova and welcomed the post-COVID recovery plan for Moldova to the value of €600 million. He assured that the Czech Republic will continue to help the Republic Moldova to contain the pandemic and a part of the 2.4 million vaccines that the country will receive through the COVAX Facility will be soon redirected to Chisinau.

The minister transmitted President Miloš Zeman’s invitation to pay a visit to the Czech Republic to President Maia Sandu.