Catherine Ashton calls on Moldovan parties to engage in open dialogue

Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, calls upon all political forces represented in the Parliament of Moldova to engage in an open and constructive dialogue so as to allow the election of the President, Info-Prim Neo reports In a statement, Catherine Ashton says that the Republic of Moldova has taken important steps over recent years in consolidating democracy and pursuing reforms. However, it is regrettable that the political parties represented in Parliament once again missed the opportunity to offer more political stability to the country. “I now look forward to a second electoral round in January 2012, and call upon all political forces represented in the Parliament to engage in an open and constructive dialogue so as to allow the election of the President. To respond to its economic and social aspirations, the Republic of Moldova needs fully functioning institutions which are able to work together. I therefore call on the Parliament to acknowledge its responsibility and to overcome the current institutional stalemate,” said Catherine Ashton. The statement says the European Union remains committed to deepening its relationship with the Republic of Moldova and supporting the implementation of its ambitious reform and EU approximation agenda.