Moldova is ready to become a leader in the Eastern Partnership, an accession candidate, Prime Minister Iurie Leanca said at the end of the last meeting of the Moldova – EU Cooperation Council held in Brussels, IPN reports.

According to the Government’s press service, a special session was devoted to the Transnistrian conflict settlement process. The sides underlined the importance of maintaining dialogue within the existing negotiating formats. The European Union assured that it will continue to provide assistance in bringing closer the communities from both sides of the Nistru River.

In the news conference after the meeting, Iurie Leanca said that this is the last meeting in this format. “It is 16 years of cooperation with the European Union and tomorrow’s event (the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU) means a new chapter in the relations between the Republic of Moldova and the Europeans Union. The next meeting will take place in the EU – Moldova Association Council format,” he stated.

He spoke about the next steps that Moldova must take, especially after October 1, when the accord will start to be applied. “We informed our European partners that in yesterday’s meeting of the Government, we approved the package of measures that will help our institutions to efficiently implement the Association Agreement. We do not have time to lose and we already made our choice – the integration into the EU,” said the Prime Minister.

On June 27, Iurie Leanca will sign the Association Agreement with the EU on behalf of Moldova. The signing ceremony will be attended by the heads of state and government of the 28 EU member states.