Norway supports with firmness reforms in Moldova, minister

Norway is transmitting a powerful signal of support for the internal reforms of Moldova and its European course, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said while in Chisinau on a visit, Info-Prim Neo reports. “I think that the efforts and reforms done in Moldova benefit not only the citizens of Moldova. They also bring benefits to the European Union in its strengthening. Though Norway is not an EU member, it is the greatest supporter of the EU and has very useful contacts in Brussels,” the Norwegian minister said after a meeting with his Moldovan counterpart Iurie Leanca on January 15. Espen Barth Eide said that Norway is a neighbor of Russia and can share its experience of cooperation in the East with Moldova. It can also share its work experience with Ukraine, especially in the context of Ukraine’s OSCE Chairmanship. “An important element of the discussion is the experience in the energy sector, which Norway can share with Moldova, especially because Norway exports gas and electric power and is actively involved in the EU-level discussions on the European energy policy, which can be discussed within the relations with Moldova too,” said Espen Barth Eide. Iurie Leanca stressed that the minister’s visit was a good occasion for bringing more substance to the bilateral dialogue and for strengthening the commercial, economic and investment elements. “Even if Norway does not form part of the EU, it is a close ally of the EU and forms part of a number of arrangements, like the Schengen one. We discussed the effect of the future visa regime with the EU on the regime of trips with Norway. The answer made me happy as our citizens will enjoy the same right to stay for a period of up to 90 days in foreign countries, including Norway, and other countries that form part of this bilateral arrangement,” he stated. It was the first visit paid by a Norwegian foreign minister to Moldova.