The Speaker of the Riksdag of Sweden Urban Ahlin said the Republic of Moldova can become a prosperous county and Sweden will continue to support it. He made statements on the issue in a press briefing in Chisinau after a meeting with the Speaker of Moldova’s Parliament Andrian Candu, IPN reports.

Urban Ahlin said the relations of cooperation between Sweden and Moldova started in the 1990s, when different experience exchanges took place. A new program to promote gender equality and to develop information technology was launched this June. Sweden is an important donor for Moldova not because it is a very rich state, but because it is convinced that Moldova can become a prosperous country.

The Swedish official noted that the Eastern Partnership was initiated in order to contribute to the development of the member states and to the enhancement of living standards. Another goal was to strengthen the rule of law institutions and support in this regard will continue to be provided.

In another development, Urban Ahlin called on the Moldovan people to go and vote on October 30 so as to express their wish, noting that the assistance offered to Moldova is intended for its people, not for the political class or for a particular leader.

Andrian Candu said that Sweden promoted the idea of the Eastern Partnership for the Republic of Moldova and for the other member states and remains the voice that speaks in support of diplomacy. Sweden is for Moldova a model for development in terms of political tolerance, renewable energy and other aspects.

The Speaker of the Riksdag of Sweden Urban Ahlin will be in Moldova until October 10. He is to have meetings with a number of politicians.