Minister for Foreign Affairs of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs expects that several key messages will be transmitted at the Riga Eastern Partnership Summit of this May, namely that the signing of the Association Agreement is not the final point and the EaP countries will be supported further and that the EU neighborhood policy will be developed for the purpose. The Latvian official made such statements during his visit to Chisinau, IPN reports.
In a news conference held jointly with Deputy Prime Minister Natalia Gherman, Edgars Rinkēvičs said the EU expects that Moldova will implement the planned reform program. Corruption fighting, justice and the financial system are three major areas where reforms should be done swiftly.
According to the Latvian minister, the EU will support the three states that signed the Association Agreement with the EU – Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia – and the support will be financial as well as these countries should be helped to implement the provisions of the accord.
In another development, Edgars Rinkēvičs said that a permanent Latvian ambassador in Chisinau will be soon named. Latvia also approved a program of assistance for Moldova, which will allow training Moldovan law specialists at Latvian schools.
Foreign Minister Natalia Gherman said that she discussed Moldova’s European agenda and the preparations for the Riga Summit with her Latvian counterpart. Moldova will learn from Latvia’s pre-accession experience in a number of areas and the cooperation in this respect will be intensified.
Edgars Rinkēvičs is in Chisinau on a visit today, March 26. He will also have meetings with Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici and with the leaders of the ruling alliance.
