The Republic of Moldova enjoys a big opportunity now, but also bears responsibility as regards the foreign policy as it needs to persuade the European institutions and each EU member state apart that it deserves to have the accession negotiations with the EU opened, Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, stated in a news conference in which he spoke about the important foreign policy events of the past few weeks, IPN reports.

The official said that at each stage Moldova now needs to persuade the European institutions and each EU member state apart how realistic the made changes and the steps taken on the path of accession to the EU are. “It is important to have a constant dialogue opened with absolutely each EU member state. For the purpose, in June we paid a number of visits so as to continue persuading each EU member state that the Republic of Moldova towards the end of this year will deserve being invited to open the accession negations with the EU,” stated Nicu Popescu.

According to the Deputy Premier, it is the moment of big opportunities. Over the past few months, some of the cooperation and European polices projects have been accelerated. The EU recently approved new sanctions against those who try to destabilize the situation in the Republic of Moldova. As a result, a number of individuals were put on the sanctions list this May. “At the end of May, together with the EU, we inaugurated a civilian partnership mission that will help our authorities to strengthen the institutions responsible for state security, including by developing our capacities to cope with hybrid threats,” said the official.

Nicu Popescu noted that the signing of an agreement between mobile network operators of Moldova and European partners is a great accomplishment. As a result, as from January 1 next year, the Moldovans who travel in most of the EU member states will benefit from much more advantageous roaming charges that will be gradually abolished.

The official also said that the NATO Summit will be held next week and this will include a ministerial meeting to which Moldova was invited. “For our country, the partnership with NATO is very important. It is a positive partnership that enables us to keep peace and calmness in the Republic of Moldova. We work with NATO to strengthen our capacities,” he stated, noting that NATO is an organization that, together with the EU, has ensured peace on the European continent, in the Euro-Atlantic area the past 70 years.