Moldova’s relations with EU and CIS must complement each others, Igor Corman

29.11.2013 11:43
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2 minute(s)

The strengthening of the cooperation relations between Moldova and the EU and of the cooperation with the CIS states must complement each other, Head of Parliament Igor Corman said in his speech at the 39th meeting of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States that was held in Sankt Petersburg on November 29, IPN reports, quoting a communiqué from the Parliament’s press service.

In his discourse, the Speaker referred to the European integration process in Moldova and the importance of the cooperation relations with the traditional eastern partners. He reiterated Moldova’s interest in maintaining positive dynamics in the bilateral relations with the CIS states, including at interparliamentary level.

“The European integration is not a geopolitical choice, but rather a model for developing and modernizing the country. The strengthening of the relations between Moldova and the EU, respectively the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU, must not hinder the cooperation with the traditional eastern partners. Confrontation must be avoided,” said Igor Corman, adding that a stable and economically powerful Moldova will be able to better satisfy the interests of its partners.

According to the Speaker, such a position is supported by most of the Moldovan people. “Now the Moldovans travel to the CIS countries without visas, while the free trade with these countries offers conditions of economic growth. Our country negotiates the same conditions with the EU member states,” said Igor Corman, underlining that Moldova’s participation in the meeting of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly represents an opportunity for stimulating dialogue and opinion exchange.

The Head of Parliament had meetings with the Speaker of the Federation Council of the Russian Federal Assembly Valentina Matvienko, who heads the Council of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, the Chairman of the Upper Chamber of the Federal Assembly Volodymyr Rybak, and the Speaker of the Kazakh Parliament’s Lower House Nurlan Nigmatulin.