The strategic dialogue between the Republic of Moldova and the United States was re-launched in a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration on June 23. This involved the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Bridget Brink. In the meeting, it was agreed to create working groups of experts of the two states that will focus on areas of increased interest, IPN reports.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Andrei Galbur told the journalists that the Moldova – U.S. dialogue will be promoted with new intensity, while today’s dialogue was pragmatic and very efficient. “We spoke about the reform process in our country and the bilateral cooperation prospects. I want to underline that we have a constructive political dialogue and the holding of this meeting is an additional proof of this and a proof of the openness and support for all the Moldovan people and the whole country that come from the U.S. people, the Government of the United States of America,” said the minister.

The cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and the United States, both in bilateral context and in a broader context, especially through the angle of the relations between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, is a subject of major importance, stated Andrei Galbur. “We appreciated the message of support from our American friends for the continuation of democratic reforms in the Republic of Moldova and the readiness to offer us the assistance needed in the current transformations,” he stated. The minister noted that the re-launch of this dialogue and this visit take place in a special context for the bilateral relations given that the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Moldova and the U.S. is celebrated this year.

The working groups will meet in the course of this year and will deal with such areas as justice, security and defense, corruption fighting and combating of trafficking in human beings.

For her part, Bridget Brink underlined the importance of continuing the dialogue, especially in the context of the celebration of 25 years of bilateral relations. The discussions in the meeting centered on the bilateral cooperation in justice, namely the implemented reforms, additional steps to fight corruption, stepping up of efforts to combat trafficking in persons and complete implementation of the recommendations of the Venice Commission. The U.S. official congratulated the Moldovan authorities on the made progress that led to the signing of an agreement with the IMF, noting that the reforms should be continued. Bridget Brink also stressed the importance of holding accountable the persons to blame for the bank fraud and of implementing the recommendations formulated in the Kroll report.