European parliamentarians' visit intends to demonstrate that Moldova is not alone

The European Union (EU) and the European Parliament (EP) specifically have supported, and are determined to continue to support, and help Moldova to overcome problems and dependence on the Russian market by facilitating the access of Moldovan products (in particular, the Moldovan wine) to the European Union market, and by helping Moldova to ensure its energy supply at reasonable prices and creating energy alternatives. Europe is also making efforts together with Moldovan partners towards reaching a peaceful, sustainable and comprehensive settlement of the Transnistrian conflict in the framework of the respect of the sovereignty and integrity of the Moldovan Republic. In this context, the official visit to RM of the Bureau of EP Delegation to the EU-RM Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (CCP), has a symbolical character to demonstrate that Moldova is not alone, the press release of the European Delegation Commission to RM says. According to the release, the aim of the visit is to assess the state of affairs and to coordinate EP policies considering recent events in the region, namely to set an efficient control at the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine, and the recent unilateral interruption of the negotiations for the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict. The European parliamentarians also will study the progress in fighting human traffic. Items regarding the mass media freedom and correct implementation of the legislation and legislative procedures, respect of fundamental human rights, and fight against corruption are also included in the visit’s agenda. It also will be assessed the situation as result of the embargo imposed by Russia on RM wines, as well as use by Russia of „Gazprom” as political weapon to put pressure on RM Government. The visit of the Bureau of EP Delegation within EU-RM CCP, organized on June 27–30, is led by Mariane Mikko, chairwoman of the Socialist Group (PES), Estonia. Zdzisław Zbigniew Podkanki, the Union for Europe of National Group (UEN), Poland, and Rihards Piks, European People’s Party Group (EPP), Latvia. Within the four-day visit, the delegation will meet with the head of the state and prime minister of RM, ambassadors, OSCE representatives, NGOs and EU delegation’s representatives. The delegation will make as well a visit to Transnistria, where it will meet with the region’s authorities in order to discuss the restarting of negotiations for a peaceful and comprehensive solution of the conflict, fight against human traffic, democratization, respect of fundamental human rights and freedom in the region, as well as withdrawal of the Russian army and armament. Further the Delegation will visit the border between Ukraine and RM and, later, Odessa. Co-chairmen of EU-RM Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (CCP) UE – RM, Mariane Mikko and Victor Stepaniuc, will held at the end of the visit a press conference on June 29, at 13:40 - 14:20, in the Moldovan Parliament.