Ukrainian charge d'affaires to Moldova Gennady Altuhov wishes peace and serenity for the peoples of Moldova and Ukraine, as the two nations prepare for their independence days on August 27 and 24, respectively. During an interview for Radio Moldova, he said that his people changed their views after a year and a half of “Russian aggression” and now want closer ties with the EU and NATO.
“Let the idea of growth and continuous well-being for each citizen unite us. This is possible only by realizing the agreements with the EU and our Western partners”, said the diplomat.
He thinks that relations between Moldova and Ukraine can be only friendly. The Russian aggression against Kiev has brought the two countries closer and Ukrainians appreciate a lot Moldova's support for their territorial integrity, said the Charge d'Affaires.
According to Altuhov, the 200 bilateral agreements signed during the independence of the two countries can be divided into 2 categories: basic ones, including political treaties, the Consular Convention, the border treaty and others that cannot be changed, and those that could be updated given the closer ties with the EU and the Euro-Atlantic community. Agreements regarding the cooperation of border services and of the ministers of the interior could also be updated, says the diplomat.
Altuhov noted that in Europe cross-border cooperation is very developed, a field unfortunately somewhat disregarded in Moldova and Ukraine. Cross-border regions have been around for 15 years, including some in the trilateral format Ukraine-Romania-Moldova. Joint efforts are needed to resuscitate this collaboration, especially considering the new financing possibilities. One such project is the touristic route linking the fortresses of Suceava, Hotin and Soroca. Another one is the rehabilitation of infrastructure in the region Galati-Giurgiulesti-Reni. Altuhov is confident that new funding opportunities for bilateral or trilateral cooperation will appear, with the direct participation of EU institutions.
