Latvia to launch assistance programme for Moldova

Latvia will launch in September 2007, an assistance project for Moldova, following the example of ongoing projects for Georgia and Ukraine. In this way, the European authorities express their support for the democratic reforms carried out in the Eastern Europe, first of all in these countries. The statement was made by the President of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, within the frameworks of a meeting with her Moldovan counterpart, Vladimir Voronin, who pays a visit to the Kingdom of Sweden. According to a Press Release of the Presidency, the two heads of state pleaded for intensifying Moldova-Latvia relations on different levels, including humanitarian. Also, the parties referred to the perspectives of Moldova related to the European integration. According to Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the leadership of Latvia acknowledges the fact that Moldova, at the stage of adjusting to the European standards, confronts with several difficulties, including social problems. The President of Latvia encouraged the authorities of Moldova to follow the perseverance of Latvia, in order to overcome these problems and to ensure a sustainable economic growth. The Latvian president emphasised that implementing living standards similar to the European Union’s alone will constitute an argument for the European countries in favour of accepting Moldova in the European family. Vladimir Voronin expressed his gratitude to the Latvian authorities for introducing a facilitated visa system for the citizens of Moldova, as well as for the decision adopted by the leadership of this country to participate in the EU Joint Visa Issuance Centre. According to the two heads of state, the participation of the Latvian speaker, Indulis Emsis, in the official opening of the centre is a new step in the bilateral dialogue between Latvia and Moldova.