Sweden supports the European integration efforts of the Republic of Moldova at bilateral level and within the European Union, said the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, who is in the Republic of Moldova on a visit. In a press briefing held jointly with Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, the Swedish official stated that she was impressed by the reform agenda set by the Moldova authorities, IPN reports.
Noting that the current visit by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Linde is the second paid to Chisinau this year, Nicu Popescu said the Moldovan-Swedish dialogue develops at an appropriate pace. The economic reforms in the justice sector are supported and this gives an impetus to the effort to build a European country and to bring it closer to the European Union. The Eastern Partnership, whose format was generated also by Sweden, is an efficient cooperation instrument.
“We discussed cooperation methods during the Swedish EU presidency in 2023. We hope that this exercise will offer the Republic of Moldova the chance to further advance the dialogue with the EU. We also discussed the promotion of gender quality, which is a priority for the Swedish authorities and for our society,” stated the minister.
Given that Sweden holds the Chairmanship of the OSCE, Nicu Popescu reiterated the position of Chisinau that the solution to the Transnistrian conflict should respect the territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova and the human rights on the left side of the Nistru. It should also result in the withdrawal of the foreign troops and the disposal of munitions. “The support offered to the implementation of the measures to build confidence between the two banks should lead to the improvement of people’s lives, including by the proper functioning of the Latin-script schools in the region,” stated the official.
For his part, Ann Linde said Sweden will continue to encourage the European integration efforts of the Republic of Moldova and the democratic reforms initiated by the new government. She noted she discussed with Nicu Popescu how Sweden and the European Union can support the renewal processes in the Republic of Moldova and approved of the fact that gender quality is an important issue in Chisinau. Ann Linde said she is awaiting with interest the EaP Summit of this December, which should transmit a powerful signal as to the European Union’s cooperation with the Republic of Moldova.
As the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ann Linde today will hold talks with President Maia Sandu, Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita in Chisinau and the Transnistrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky and Chief Negotiator Vitaly Ignatiev in Tiraspol. She will provide details about the last meeting at a briefing at the airport.
