The recent statement by Commissioner Štefan Füle on the need to offer a clear membership perspective to Moldova can be an important landmark for the Moldovan diplomatic efforts to secure a formal recognition by the EU of European prospects for our country, stated Iurie Leanca, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, in an interview with Info-Prim Neo. “Undoubtedly, the emphasis put on Article 49 of the EU Treaty by Commissioner Füle in his speech at the EU-Moldova Forum in Berlin as an indicator for the course to be followed in the advancement of relations between Moldova and the UE will represent an important landmark for the Moldovan diplomatic efforts to secure a formal recognition by the EU of European prospects for our country. Further, I would like to remark that the European Parliament's Resolution on Moldova of September 2011 also made mention of Art. 49 in the context of Moldova's EU integration aspirations”, said Iurie Leanca. According to him, a timely recognition of Moldova's European perspective is in Moldova's interest. “The European perspective means a formal recognition by the EU of our eligibility to become a fully-fledged member of the Community. Hence, the earlier we obtain this recognition, including as a result of reforms and modernization of our country, the more we will get closer to the EU membership objective. Needless to remind you, the EU membership implies all the benefits of being affiliated with a space of stability and prosperity which the EU constitutes at present and which it will certainly consolidate and develop even more in the future”, said the Minister. Until this recognition is obtained, Iurie Leanca says that there are benefits for Moldova in being a leader among Eastern Partnership countries. “Compared to other countries included by the EU in the Eastern Partnership, Moldova, due to the progress made in reforms adjusted to European standards, is considered by the EU a leader of the Partnership. Precisely for this reason the member states decided to supplement the assistance offered to our country this year by €28 million, which will be channeled into rural development, health and justice. This sort of acknowledgment is most certainly a reason for satisfaction, not just for the authorities and the political class, but also for civil society and the general public. While, in the medium term, these successes are not very visible in the everyday life, the on-going reforms will eventually, without doubt, translate into concrete benefits for our citizens”, Moldova's Foreign Minister Iurie Leanca stated in his interview with Info-Prim Neo.