Expert highlights importance of EU-Moldova Forum

Moldova's integration into the European Union depends on the pace and depth of the promoted reforms, as well as on certain strategic interests of the EU and of the West in general in re-shaping the architecture of the Eurasian space, thinks political analyst Nicolae Chirtoaca. Nicolae Chirtoaca says that the European Union-Moldova Forum, which was held in Chisinau during March 29-31, was important not only for its role of setting a milestone in Moldova's relations with the EU countries, in particular with Poland, but also due to the systemic and even analytical approach to a number of issues related to the national interest. Among these issues, the analyst highlighted the Transnistrian conflict. The statements made by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov following the recent meeting with Iurie Leanca, the Moldovan Minister of Foreign Affairs and European integration, creates preconditions for the resumption of negotiations on this issue, thinks Nicolae Chirtoaca. “Now that there is an affinity between Chisinau and Brussels in evaluating the situation in Europe, it is important to shift from political association to economic association, which will create prerequisites for a profounder dialogue with the EU”, said the analyst. Titus Colatean, Romanian Senate's foreign policy chief, said he understood the Moldovan citizens' excitement and willingness to find out when they would become EU citizens. “The heavy European presence at the works of the European Union-Moldova Forum indicates a strong support for Moldova's aspirations”, said the Romanian senator. He thinks that the EU integration scenario followed by Moldova similar to those followed by Romania and Bulgaria, and this is a good sign. The EU-Moldova Forum was organized by the Foreign Policy Association and the Institute for Eastern Studies of Warsaw. It brought together politicians, diplomats and important businessmen from Moldova and the EU. Among the Forum's special guests was Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. On July 1, Poland is to assume the rotating EU presidency.