The European Parliament in its November 13 sitting ratified the Association Agreement between Moldova and the European Union, which envisions the political association and economic integration between the two sides. Prime Minister Iurie Leanca welcomed the decision taken by the European Parliament, IPN reports, quoting the Government’s press service.
The Premier said this is a historical event. “I’m convinced that only a European future will ensure better living conditions, higher incomes, roads of a high quality, education and health sectors with the best services, access to a market with over half a billion consumers and more functional institutions working according to the European model for our people,” stated Iurie Leanca.
Head of Parliament Igor Corman, who attended the plenary sitting of the European Parliament, said the vote of the MEPs represents an important step towards fully legalizing the political association and economic integration of Moldova with the EU.
He noted that this accord is the most important treaty signed by Moldova. “For us, the association with the EU means Moldova’s modernization by the European model, economic development, decent salaries and pensions, fair justice, accessible medical services, education of a high quality, better roads, the resolution of the Transnistrian conflict and the country’s reunification,” stated Igor Corman.
The agreement was ratified by 535 votes for, 94 votes against and 44 abstentions. Igor Corman voiced hope that the national legislative bodies of the EU member states will follow the example of the European Parliament and will accelerate the ratification of the accord.
So far the agreement has been ratified by the parliamentary bodies of seven EU member states, namely Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Bulgaria, Malta, and Slovakia.
The Association Agreement between Moldova and the EU was signed on June 27 and was ratified by Moldova’s Parliament on July 2. On June 25, the Government approved the national action plan for implementing this accord.
