Moldova’s key priority in 2014 is the signing and implementation of the Association Agreement with the European Union, which includes the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, President Nicolae Timofti said in the official reception held on the occasion of the first meeting with the diplomatic corps this year, IPN has learned from the presidential press service.

In his welcoming speech, Nicolae Timofti said that Moldova is going through an important stage with historical implications. “We want to be a powerful and coherent state from administrative and economic viewpoints. The democratic development, European integration and economic growth represent the essence of our policy,” he stated.

The head of state added that the European Commission’s recommendation to the European Parliament to abolish the visa regime for Moldovan citizens represents recognition of the reforms done in justice, the internal affairs bodies and in the area of migration management. Consistent effort was made last year to build pragmatic and mutually advantageous relations with Russia, which remains one of the main political and commercial partners of Moldova. Steps continue to be taken to remove the barriers to the Moldova-Russian trade and to conclude the negotiations on cooperation in the energy sector.

As to the Transnistrian conflict settlement process, Nicolae Timofti said that it remains a major objective of the internal policy. He reiterated the necessity of pulling out the Russian troops and munitions from Transnistria and of transforming the peacekeeping mission in the Security Zone into an internationally mandated civil mission.

The President called on the Transnistrians to help build a democratic, European and successful country where the basic human rights and freedoms are respected. He sent the same message to the people from the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia. He called upon all the Moldovan citizens to keep peace, democracy and freedom in Moldova in the current electoral year.