After the signing of the Association Agreement, Moldova will benefit from technical and financial assistance from the European Union in implementing the necessary reforms. The goal of the association is to support Moldova in its modernization efforts. The Free Trade Agreement will ensure broader access to the EU market and will contribute to increasing the economic attractiveness and the number of jobs at local level. The statements were made by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Foreign Minister of France Laurent Fabius in a news conference held jointly with Prime Minister Iurie Leanca in Chisinau, IPN reports.
Iurie Leanca said that the presence of the two ministers in Chisinau is a confirmation of the assistance provided by the EU to Moldova’s European agenda and the changes made by the Moldovan Government. It is a message of support and encouragement to continue the country’s modernization by achieving the European integration objective.
“Together with the abolition of the visa requirements for Moldovans, the signing of the Association Agreement and the Free Trade Agreement and the correct implementation of the two accords will help improve the people’s lives and will bring more security and stability to Moldova and the whole region,” stated the Premier.
Laurent Fabius said they had a constructive dialogue with Iurie Leanca, the leaders of the parties that form part of the government coalition and the leaders of the Communist Party. Moldova is to sign the Association Agreement with the EU by the end of June, with the progress made by the country in this respect being relevant. “I think Moldova will enjoy major opportunities this year, within the Eastern Partnership. Following the elimination of the short-stay visas, the Moldovans will be able to travel freely in the EU,” he stated, adding that France fully support Moldova’s territorial integrity and is for solving the Transnistrian conflict by negotiations.
For his part, Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the visit is paid in a very important moment as the situation in the whole region is uncertain owing to the conflict in Ukraine. The steps taken by Moldova within the Association Agreement deserve respect and the country’s people will feel this in several days, when the liberalized visa regime takes effect. “We are glad to encourage the relations between young people. We do not stop at the liberalization of the visa regime,” he underlined.
The German minister also said that the EU will make effort to remove the last obstacles faced by Moldova before the signing of the Association Agreement. “Moldova can have confidence in the partnership with Europe. Several messages derive from here – the Eastern Partnership is not aimed against somebody. It is not aimed against Ukraine, Moldova or Georgia. This partnership means confrontation and this cooperation is for the interests of all the participants,” stated Frank-Walter Steinmeier. According to him, the conflict in Ukraine can be solved only by diplomacy and dialogue, with France and Germany being against the division of Ukraine’s territory.
The two foreign ministers had been in Chisinau on April 23.
