There is mutual support between the Republic of Moldova and Slovakia within the strategic partnership and this materializes into tangible results for the citizens, into valuable projects, Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, stated after a meeting with his Slovak counterpart Ivan Korčok. The meeting centered on the Moldovan-Slovak cooperation, the European agenda of the Republic of Moldova, development assistance programs, IPN reports.

In a news conference held jointly with the Slovak official, Nicu Popescu said the Eastern Partnership and the Free Trade Area with the EU are a success that Moldova would like to fortify by extending the cooperation area, including in environmental protection, security and resilience and digitization. “For us, the European integration is the path that can bolster up democracy, reforms, economic recovery,” said the Moldovan minister.

Nicu Popescu noted the current visit is a proof of the intensification of the Moldovan-Slovak relations. The forthcoming visit by President Maia Sandu to Bratislava will serve the same purpose. It is expected that the political dialogue will stimulate the commercial and economic relations between the states, while the Slovak investments will reinvigorate the economic landscape in the country.

The minister thanked for the Slovak projects intended for communities that were implemented in Moldova: outfitting of five hospitals with anti-COVID equipment; provision of special equipment to a children’s home in Ceadîr-Lunga; a drinking water supply project in Ialoveni etc.

For his part, Ivan Korčok noted the warmth with which he was welcomed in Chisinau, saying he has had a friendly relationship with the current minister of foreign affairs of Moldova for many years. He stated the appointment of Nicu Popescu to this post is to the country’s benefit.

The Slovak official said his country is interested in contributing to strengthening the Republic of Moldova so that it is democratic and proposers in its Eastern neighborhood, being the country that brings “good news” in the Eastern Partnership. He stated the Slovak authorities’ support for the reform agenda of President Maia Sandu, noting the government must take the unique chance to restore stability and the rule of law in the country.

The minister said Bratislava is in favor of the peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict. He assured that Slovakia will continue supporting the Republic of Moldova in its European integration efforts and in the efforts to do internal systemic reforms, including by projects intended for the people and by actions to help contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this connection, Ivan Korčok announced that he handed over a lot of 10,000 rapid antigen tests to the Moldovan authorities.