EU doors will open to Moldova only after reaching European standards of reform implementation

The EU-Moldova Action Plan needs to be implemented not for Europe, but for Moldova. Only after reaching the European standards of reform implementation, “the EU doors will open,” said the Luxembourgian Deputy Prime-Minister, Jean Asselborn, during his visit to Chisinau, at Wednesday’s meeting with Foreign Minister Andrei Stratan. In the context of the Transnistria settlement, the Luxemburg official reckoned the only solution for settling the conflict is to continue the activities in the 5+2 format. According to him, Luxemburg is ready to join the Joint Visa Application Centre starting January 1, 2008. “We can also assist Moldova in the development of the banking financial sector by training specialists and providing expert assistance”, the official also stated. Minister Andrei Stratan mentioned that Moldova is about to complete the implementation of the EU-Moldova Plan, a moment when each member state’s position is crucial, including the Luxemburg one, as compared to the degree of the political relations with the European Union. Moldova is looking forward to Luxemburg becoming, as previously stated by the Luxembourgian Premier, Moldova’s ambassador to Europe, Stratan pointed out. The Convention on avoiding double taxation and forestalling income tax dodging has been signed by the two governments within the meeting. Andrei Stratan said by signing the Convention, the economic entities in the two countries get the opportunity to diversify and expand their cooperation.