The common goal of the Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta and his Moldovan counteract Iurie Leanca is to see Moldova a full-fledged member of the EU in 2019. The issue was discussed in a special edition of the program “Moldova live” on the public TV channel Moldova 1, IPN reports. Victor Ponta said Romania will do its utmost and will provide the necessary support for Moldova to achieve this goal, without pursuing hidden goals.
According to the Romanian official, the visit paid to Moldova has nothing in common with the presidential elections of Romania in which he is running. “I don’t say that the votes of the Moldovans with Romanian nationality are unimportant, but they cannot influence the outcome of the elections in Romania, which has 19 million voters,” he stated.
In the same program, Victor Ponta said he was satisfied with the way the grants provided to Moldova by the Romanian Government were used and pledged to further offer financial assistance for implementing social projects. Discussions were already launched on the rebuilding of two bridges over the Prut River, destroyed during World War II, in Leova and in Cantemir. A grant of €1 million will be allocated for reconstructing the Organ Hall in Chisinau.
As to the energy problem, the Romanian Premier expressed his optimism that Romania in the near future will be able to supply the entire Moldova with gas. “Currently, Romania imports 15% of the natural gas consumed in the country. Works are yet performed to exploit the mineral deposits in the Black Sea. About four years more are needed to finish these works. Then Romania will have enough resources to satisfy the internal needs and the needs of Moldova. If something happens and the supply of gas to Moldova is halted in winter, Romania is ready to supply the necessary quantity of gas,” said Victor Ponta.
Iurie Leanca described the Moldovan-Romanian relations as excellent, saying that Moldova will learn from Romania’s experience in the European integration process. “We do not want to invent the bicycle and will follow well-worn paths,” he stated.
