The European Union will assist the Republic of Moldova to avoid the effects of the global financial crisis, Kalman Mizsei, EU Special Representative for Moldova, stated today at the opening of the Central European Initiative (CEI) Parliamentary Assembly's session, taking place in Chisinau. The EU cooperates in this regard with the Moldovan government, and though the Moldovan economy looks quite robust at present, the EU will offer its support in order to push economic reform forward and increase foreign investment, the European official said. Mizsei added that the EU has been intensely engaged in cooperation with the Republic of Moldova, which, alongside Palestine, is a major recipient of EU funds in the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy. The EU pays great attention to Moldova, also taking into account the Transnistrian dispute, “which is like a plague”, said the EU representative. Speaking on the subject, he pointed out that the EU is concerned with finding an equitable and sustainable solution in the 5+2 format. “The 5+2 format is the only legitimate means for reaching a balanced and long term solution”, said Mizsei. According to him, the Transnistrian conflict is “deep, which creates animosities between people”, and expressed his hope that the parties will show responsibility, “bearing in mind the August events” (the Russian-Georgian conflict). Mizsei also spoke in favor of Moldova's neutrality, the withdrawal of foreign troops from its territory and advocated for the replacement of the current peacekeeping mechanism with a civilian mission.