Besides the support for systemic reforms centering on modernization, the Republic of Moldova also needs the Romanian authorities’ assistance in developing other areas, especially in ensuring the country’s energy security, Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița stated in a meeting with her Romanian counterpart Nicolae Ionel Ciucă in Bucharest, IPN reports.

The officials discussed the storage of natural gas in underground reservoirs in Romania, the necessity of increasing the quantity of firewood and the participation by Romanian companies in tender contests to purchase crude oil held by SA “Termoelectrica”. “Besides systemic reforms aimed at modernization, passing well the coming winter is the Moldovan Government’s top priority,” said Natalia Gavrilița, being quoted in a press release.

The interlocutors confirmed the intention to make progress in putting into practice joint projects and to implement a consistent bilateral agenda between the two countries by keeping the unprecedented intensity in the Moldovan-Romanian relations.

Premier Gavrilița approved of Romania’s substantial assistance in obtaining the candidate country status, underlining the importance of further strengthening the strategic partnership so as to also alleviate the negative effects of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war.

“The support and solidarity shown by the people of Romania and the Romanian authorities help us to cope with the crises and instability generated by the regional tensions. At the same time, Romania remains the most important partner of the Republic of Moldova in the development process and in the joining of the EU. We further bank on our Romanian friends’ involvement in the management of this process and in the adjustment of standards in different areas to the European ones,” stated the Premier.

Natalia Gavrilița underlined the importance of cooperation in agriculture, referring to the food supply chains that were affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. She welcomed Romania’s openness towards the Moldovan farmers who were affected by Russia’s ban but benefit from access to the EU market.

The officials also conferred on the situation on the state border and on the necessity of stepping up efforts to ease transfrontier traffic at frontier posts between Moldova and Romania. They also highlighted the importance of accelerating the building of the Leova-Bumbăta floating bridge. Moldova suggests opening the new border crossing point also to international road traffic, not only to international freight traffic.