2005 has been an extremely productive year for the Republic of Moldova, declared Heather M.Hodges in her final speech as Ambassador of USA in Chisinau. She declared that several important changes in the Republic of Moldova this year have been performed. She mentioned in this context the signing of the Action Plan Republic of Moldova – EU, document that creates the foundation for ever-closer cooperation between Moldova and Europe. Also, in 2005 the European Commission opened an office and the EU appointed a Special Representative for Transnistria. The United States and the European Union were invited to join the settlement talks upon the Transnistrian dispute, bringing greater balance to the table, stated the ambassador. The Ambassador referred also to some problems that Moldova is dealing with at present, challenges that must be eliminated. Among these the diplomat mentioned the necessity to reform the judiciary, fighting corruption, improving the legislation in the mass-media area. At the end of her speech, Heather M.Hodges said that the Republic of Moldova must continue to move forward on the chosen path – toward European Union. „Seize the opportunity. The door is opened to you, if you want to walk through it and take your place in the family of European democracies”, said the diplomat, mentioning that America and its allies will help the Republic of Moldova, if it wants them to. Heather M. Hodges was appointed as US Ambassador in the Republic of Moldova in October 2003. She is the 5th head of the American mission in Chisinau from the moment of establishing diplomatic relationships between the two countries in 1991.