Moldova has prospects of joining the European Union. There is no taboo for the country. However, the Moldovans must cover the entire path to European integration, step by step, and to implement all the initiated reforms, the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso said in a news conference in Chisinau, Info-Prim Neo reports. “I have the occasion of being a witness to the situation in Moldova and to see the role played by the EU in the country’s development. I see Moldova as a part of our European family. My visit is a sign of the recognition of the commitments to support Moldova. We already have many accomplishments. Moldova is a leader in the Eastern Partnership. We already switched to the second stage of the talks on the liberalization of the visa regime,” Jose Manuel Barroso stated. The official stressed that the Moldovans have to go through a process. “We are now to sign the Association Agreement and the Free Trade Agreement as well as the Visa Liberalization Agreement. I hope we will manage to sign them by the end of this year. The Republic of Moldova is to concentrate its efforts on the implementation of reforms. The prospect of joining the EU is not a taboo, but there is a road to be covered. The EU has its own rules. We are a union of 27 and, very soon, 28 countries. We must be honest and cover the path step by step. There are prospects of joining the EU, but the citizens must take all the steps,” said the European Commission President. The issues discussed in the meeting of the European official and members of the Moldovan Government included the Transnistrian conflict and the format of the talks. “The EU is for the peaceful settlement of this dispute. The Transnistrian conflict is a problem, but we cannot make a connection between it and the county’s prospects of joining the EU. We must find solutions to respect Moldova’s territorial integrity. For example, within the talks on the Free Trade Agreement we want that all the people benefit from it, including those living on the left bank of the Nistru,” said Jose Manuel Barroso. He also said that if visible results are achieved in the implementation of reforms in all the areas, the European Commission will urge the member states to liberalize the visa regime for Moldovans. “What we do in Moldova is for the country’s benefit. We must think strategically and see the interest of Moldova as a country. It is important that the objective of the close relations with the EU be shared by all the people. Yes, the parties can have different views, but it is in the country’s interest to reach a consensus. I think that the Moldovans want a strong relation with the EU,” stated Barroso. Prime Minister Vlad Filat said that the European Commission President’s visit is important and awaited. “Within the discussions, we analyzed the actions and reached the conclusion that we are in a dynamic process. For Moldova, it is important to finalize the negotiations on the Association Agreement and the Free Trade Agreement until the Eastern Partnership Summit of September 2013. We must concentrate on the continuation of the reforms needed by Moldova and the people so that Europe comes closer and the institutions become more functional. I hope that beyond the analysis of the bilateral relations, you will feel us and will see that we are European,” the Premier said, addressing the European official. He also said that Moldova made a choice and has no other alternative that joining the EU and the opposition realizes this, but the narrow party interests sometimes prevail. Jose Manuel Barroso arrived in Chisinau in the evening of November 29 and is to deliver a speech at the National Palace today, November 30.