Ten years after the signing of the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the Republic of Moldova for the European integration of the Republic of Moldova, Romania underlines the inestimable value of the common cultural heritage that forms part of the European heritage. This fact cements the privileged relationship between Romania and the Republic of Moldova and the fact that Moldova’s place is in the European family, the Embassy of Romania in Chisinau says in a press release that is quoted by IPN.
Romania highlights the results of the implementation of the Strategic Partnership during ten years of its signing. Among these are the coming into force of the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU, Romania being the first state in the EU that ratified it, and the liberalization of the EU visa regime for Moldovans. Important stages were covered in modernizing institutions and professionalizing the public administration in accordance with the European standards, increasing economic exchanges and the Moldovan products’ access to the EU markets, first of all to Romania.
The Embassy says the celebration of ten years of the signing of the Strategic Partnership is not only on occasion for satisfaction, but should also be an opportunity for looking responsibly and pragmatically to the future so as to maintain and strengthen Moldova’s European course by renewed efforts. “Regrettably, the current political situation in Chisinau does not encourage such an approach. The recent developments in Chisinau do not attest to the continuation or doing of sustainable reforms for further implementing the European agenda and do not guarantee a European course for the Republic of Moldova. In such conditions, the development of the bilateral Strategic Partnership cannot realize its full potential, in accordance with the will and capacity of Romania,” runs the press release.
Given such a background, Romania’s support, including the financial one, will be from now on strictly conditional upon the continuation of reforms that are essential for the democratic development of the Republic of Moldova and for the advancement of its European course. At the same time, Romania will continue to focus on the interests of the Moldovan citizens, as it has done until now, including in the context of the crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also, the Government of Moldova by a press release informed that Prime Minister Ion Chicu met with Romania’s Ambassador in Chisinau. The Premier voiced hope that the Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Moldova and Romania will determine the intensification of the Moldovan-Romanian cooperation in the sociocultural and economic spheres and will open up new opportunities for the people and businesses of the two states.
Premier Chicu noted the importance attached by Moldova to the building of the Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline, underlining the interest in strengthening the economic security by diversifying the energy sources. He thanked the Government of Romania for the modernization of schools and kindergartens, offering of units of transport for education institutions, renovation of the Museum of Arts, the Organ Hall and the Mother and Child Institute, construction of the new building of the Cahul Theater “B.P. Hașdeu” and provision of scholarships.
