US Vice President's upcoming visit will enhance Moldova's visibility

Moldova's acting President and Parliament Speaker Marian Lupu thinks that the visit of US Vice President Joe Biden to Chisinau on March 11 will enhance Moldova's visibility. In an interview on RFE/RL Moldova, Marian Lupu has stated that this visit is a reassurance of the importance given to the relationship with our country. “The US Government has offered roughly $300 million as part of the Millennium Challenge programs. It also has been a donor thorough the USAID programs. There is a symbolism and political significance that we should see behind this visit”, stated Marian Lupu. Foreign Minister Iurie Leanca told the same radio station that the visit announced by the White House is going to be historic for Moldova, in particular because this is the first time Chisinau will be visited by an American vice president. This visit will also carry a symbolic meaning, as this year Moldova will celebrate its 20th anniversary of independence. The minister admits that issues related to Moldova could be discussed by Joseph Biden also with Kremlin officials during his preceding visit to Moscow. Political analyst Petru Bogatu thinks that in Moscow the American official will advocate the United States' and the European Union's interest to allow Chisinau the freedom to integrate into the European community, in particular considering the recent German and American governments' statements in favor of the resumption of settlement talks on Transnistria and Moldova's democratization. “Following Biden's visit, the Republic of Moldova will finally stop being a Soviet-origin Russian project and will officially be on track to becoming an Euro-Atlantic one. So, the Russians will have to understand that, regardless of whether they get out of the rebel region or not, the West will reach the Nistru”, said the analyst. Vice President Joe Biden was invited to Chisinau by Prime Minister Vlad Filat when the latter traveled to Washington on an official visit last year in January.