Members of the Interparliamentary Committee for Cooperation between the Federal Assembly of Russia and Parliament of Moldova confirm the exclusive importance of strengthening traditional friendly relations, reciprocal support and cooperation between the Russian Federation and Moldova, says the joint statement of the Committee, framed after the Committee’s meeting held on March 20 and 21 in Chisinau. Members of the Committee believe that, given the conditions of new economic and geopolitical situation, it is important to build and develop interstate relations, based on fair strategic partnership, openness and trust, pragmatism and mutual benefit. Russian and Moldovan MPs welcome the achievements made in this direction by the leadership of the two states and consider that these actions are implemented in absolute compliance with the essence and the spirit of the Moldova-Russia Political Agreement and the centuries-old traditions of friendly relations between the two countries, the statement adds. Eugenia Ostapciuc, Committee’s co-chairman on behalf of Moldova, said the recent meeting was a follow-up of the dialogue started in April 2006, when Moldovan MPs visited Moscow to provide factual information about the state of affairs in Moldova. She mentioned that one of the conclusions made then was that relations with Russia are crucial and regarded as strategic partnership. According to Alexandr Moscalet, co-chairman of the Committee on behalf of Russia, the Committee’s members agreed that this won’t be the last contact at this level. Russian MPs trust that all the agreements reached will develop well, this being an example to follow by all the decision makers. The issues discussed at the meeting in Chisinau are due to be examined and followed by recommendations that will be proposed in the Committee’s meeting scheduled for September in Moscow.