The negotiations between Moldova and the European Union on the signing of an Association Agreement will begin next week, when a delegation of experts is to arrive in Chisinau. The announcement was made by Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat and Sweden's Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, at a joint press conference on Friday in Chisinau, Info-Prim Neo reports. The association agreement with the EU will be based on three key components: the political agreement, the creation of a free trade zone, and the liberalization of visa requirements. “There is a lot to be done, but I hope our political will and the endorsement of our European partners will allow us to launch these important initiatives this year, during the Swedish presidency of the EU, and I think that a good start will also find support from Spain, which will take over the EU's presidency at the start of the next year”, stated Vlad Filat. He added that a new arrangement would also enable stronger cooperation with the EU on matters of regional and international security. Minister Carl Bildt said the democratic reforms that are to be implemented are essential for Moldova and a more ambitious Association Agreement needs to be signed. “You inherited a very difficult economic situation, which is practically on the verge of absolute difficulty. This, of course, requires urgent measures from your government, but I can assure you that the EU as well as international and European institutions are here to help you. I hope that the signing of the agreement with the IMF will open the way to obtaining considerable financial assistance, which may be followed by financing from the EU ”, said Bildt. Both Filat and Bildt refrained from estimating the time needed for the talks on the agreement, shifting focus on its content. Carl Bildt reiterated the need for political stability to implement reform. At the same time, Vlad Filat assured the EU official that Moldova has a functional government and parliament and that the negotiations won't be stopped even if the legislature fails to elect the country's next president. After a recent visit to Brussels, Mihai Ghimpu, speaker of parliament and simultaneously acting president of Moldova, announced a new agreement with the EU could be signed by yearend or early next year. Vlad Filat however declared that the agreement could be signed later. “I don't think the agreement will be signed during the Swedish presidency”, said Carl Bildt in this context. The EU delegation also included representatives of Spain, which is to take over EU's presidency from Sweden on 1 January 2010. During his one-day visit to Chisinau, Carl Bildt also met with Mihai Ghimpu, and the Communist leader Vladimir Voronin.