Italy wants to be more involved in Transnistrian conflict settlement process, Franco Frattini

Italy would like to be involved in the Transnistrian conflict settlement process to a greater extent, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said in a meeting with Moldovan Premier Vlad Filat in Rome, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a communiqué from the Government. The two officials discussed subjects concerning the social protection of the Moldovans working in Italy, development of the bilateral relations, resolution of the Transnistrian dispute, the progress made by Moldova on the path to European integration, liberalization of the visa regime and others. The Premier thanked the Italian authorities for the support provided in the European integration process and for the positive attitude towards the Moldovans who work in Italy. “We have a very dynamic relation with the EU. This year, we opened the talks on the Association Agreement and the visa regime and are close to launching the negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement. Italy is a constant supporter of these efforts,” said Vlad Filat. Franco Frattini reasserted Italy’s support for Moldova’s European integration aspirations and the Moldovans working in Italy. The two officials stressed the necessity of taking definite measures to strengthen the commercial and economic cooperation between the two states. They agreed to organize a business forum and to create a Moldovan-Italian Council of Businessmen. Franco Frattini requested the Italian Ambassador to Moldova Stefano De Leo to get involved and make sure that the most important Italian businesspersons and officials of the executive bodies attend the forum.