The European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner encouraged the Moldovan authorities to mobilize their efforts and use the wide opportunities offered by the Eastern Partnership in order to accelerate the political and economic reforms, implement European standards and overcome the difficulties caused by the world economic crisis, Info-Prim Neo reports. The Commissioner Thursday had a meeting with Moldova’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration and Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Stratan, who is taking part in the Prague Summit to launch the Eastern Partnership. According to a communiqué from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, the European Commissioner assured that the participation in the Eastern Partnership will help Moldova not only to solve the problems, but also come closer to the EU and achieve its strategic European integration objective. Benita Ferrero-Waldner also said that after the new government is formed in Moldova, the sides will initiate consultations to open the official talks over a new Moldova-EU agreement as soon as possible. At the request of the European Commissioner, Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister spoke about the Moldovan authorities’ position on the causes that led to the deterioration of the Moldovan-Romanian relations. Andrei Stratan stressed that the relations between Moldova and Romania must be based on mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs so that they support the efforts aimed at strengthening Moldova’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Andrei Stratan also said that the Communist Party, which won the April 5 elections, is aware of the role of the Opposition in a democratic state and is waiting for cooperation proposals from the three political parties that entered the new Parliament. Benita Ferrero-Waldner stressed that the EU expects that the two sides will cooperate in the implementation of reforms. In the end, Benita Ferrero-Walnder assured Andrei Stratan that the European Commission will propose a set of measures aimed at strengthening the political dialogue and cooperation between Moldova and the EU, normalizing the relations between Chisinau and Bucharest, facilitating the movement of travelers to the EU and granting of financial assistance to Moldova.