The progress made in implementing the provisions of the Association Agreement and the assistance provided by the EU in the fight against the pandemic crisis were discussed by acting minister of foreign affairs Aureliu Ciocoi and his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenbe in a working meeting. The Moldovan official underlined the importance of extending the cooperation with the EU and the necessity of reinvigorating the Eastern Partnership and of adjusting the given initiative according to a new strategic view that would reflect the growing ambitions of the associate countries. He reiterated that the Republic of Moldova would like the results of the EaP Summit to contribute to the continuous rapprochement between the Eastern neighbors and the EU, IPN reports.
In the meeting that took place in Vienna, the diplomats discussed topical issues from the bilateral agenda, with emphasis on the political, economic and cultural cooperation, and took stock of the methods of intensifying the upper-level politic dialogue in the immediate period. The officials agreed to systemically hold consultations among the foreign affairs ministries of the two states so as to make progress in solving current Moldovan-Austrian issues.
Aureliu Ciocoi, who also serves as acting Prime Minister, and Alexander Schallenbe raised subjects of common interests referring to regional security, the Transnistrian settlement process and the global health crisis.
The Moldovan official, in the name of Government, thanked Austria for its assistance in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic offered at bilateral level and as part of Team Europe through multiple measures and initiatives aimed at alleviating the consequences of the pandemic. He asked the Austrian authorities to identify possibilities of donating or selling a lot of vaccines to the Republic of Moldova.
At the end of the meeting, Aureliu Ciocoi invited Alexander Schallenberg to pay an official visit to Moldova. The invitation was accepted and details of the visit will be agreed by diplomatic channels.
