Moldova requires Estonia’s support and assistance in relations with EU

Parliament’s chairman Marian Lupu, during the meeting with Estonian president Arnold Ruutel, welcomed the political dialogue between Moldova and Estonia, underlining the fact that lately the character of development of bilateral Moldovan-Estinian relations have registered a continuous progress. At his turn, Ruutel said the authorities of Tallinn support the aspirations of European integration of Chisinau, according to parliament report. Lupu underscored the interest of the legislative for impulse inter-parliamentary bilateral relations and setting an efficient cooperation between the legislatives of both countries. In this context, the speaker welcomed the close visit of Moldovan parliamentarians in Estonia, foreseen for April 2006, appreciating it as a good opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations on parliamentary level. In the same time, the speaker reiterated the interest of Moldova to learn the experience of European integration, especially regarding the harmonising of national legislation to community acquis. In this sense, Lupu noted that Moldova took the unilateral commitments to use the European model of development and adjustment of national systems to European standards. The chairman of the parliament also required the assistance and support of Estonia in political dialogue with the European Union. The speaker highlighted that Moldova counts on the support and assistance of Estonia, especially with regard to get in 2008, once expires the Agreement of Partnership and Cooperation, a new juridical arrangement in relations with the European UNion. Another area is identification of a flexible mechanism of technical and financial assistance for the country. TACIS Program, current instrument of EU assistance, do not comply with the needs and objectives stipulated in the implementation process of the Action Plan RM-EU. Lupu required as well facilitation of including Moldova in 2006 in the system of Autonomous Commercial Preferences, economic commitment applied now in the states of the Association and Stabilisation Process and to apply a visa regime as favourable as possible for citizens of Moldova. Arnold Ruutel mentioned, at his turn, the fact that Estonia support the aspirations of European integration of Moldova and pays to our country, together with Georgia and Ukraine, a special attention. Bilateral Moldovan-Estonian cooperation contributes to promoting democracy and common values recognised by the European Union, Arnold Ruutel noted. He emphasised as well that Estonia supports fully the European aspirations of Moldova and for more active involvement of EE in promoting democratic reforms and solving the Transnistrian conflict. Arnold Ruutel expressed the availability of his country to share its experience of European integration and harmonising of national legislation to community’s requirements, mentioning that Estonia has recent experience regarding the social impact of adjusting the legislative framework to community acquis. In this sense, the Estonian official was for impulse of bilateral inter-parliamentary cooperation in common an interest field, underlining the fact that the parliament has an important role in promoting democratic reforms. This is the first visit of the president of Estonia in Moldova. During his visit, the Estonian official met as well with president Vladimir Voronin, prime minister Vasile Tarlev, took part in the Forum of Businessmen of both countries. Ruutel will visit as well the Monastic Compound Capriana and Monastery Hancu.