EU Council will consider the opportunity of a new agreement with Moldova after examining the Action Plan Progress Report

On the basis of sustained progress in Action Plan implementation, the EU is ready to start reflection on a new agreement with the Republic of Moldova going beyond the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. This is one of the conclusions on Moldova adopted by the European Union’s General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC), which met in Brussels on Monday, February 18, Info-Prim Neo reports with reference to Moldova’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration. The Council looks forward to the Commission’s Progress Report foreseen for April 2008, which will provide a good opportunity to further evaluate the situation. The Council notes the positive dynamics in EU-Republic of Moldova relations over the past 12 months, as witnessed by the entry into force of the Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements on 1 January 2008, the opening of a Common Visa Application Centre in Chisinau in April 2007, etc. The Council underlines EU efforts to contribute to the conflict settlement in Transnistria, and notes the effective engagement of the EU Special Representative for Moldova in the region and the prolongation of the mandate of the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) for another two years from 1 December 2007. The EU attaches great importance to further strengthening the relationship, and to ensuring the continuation of the process of political and economic reforms in Moldova. The Council welcomes the progress made by Moldova in the implementation of the ENP Action Plan over the last three years. However, further and continuous efforts are needed in order to strengthen democracy and the rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of the media, in particular in the run-up to the parliamentary elections, and to reinforce the fight against corruption, as well as to improve the investment climate, in particular the transparency and predictability of the regulatory framework. Visiting Moldova at the end of last week, EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner stated that the European Union will consider the opportunity of a new agreement with Moldova only after the Action Plan is fully implemented.