The Moldovans will partially become European citizens in the first half of 2014, when the visa regime with the European Union is liberalized. This year Moldova will also sign and ratify the Association Agreement with the EU, Prime Minister Iurie Leanca said in an interview for Radio France International, IPN reports, quoting the station’s website.
As regards Transnistria, Iurie Leanca said that he wants this year to meet with the Transnistrian leader Yevgeny Shevchuk as the lack of communication is not good in the settlement process and there are no miraculous solutions. “On the one hand, we must be patient and on the other hand, we must continue the confidence-building efforts so that the people living on the left bank of the Nistru have confidence in us. They should understand that our internal and external policy goals meet their interests,” stated the Premier.
As to the economic relations with Russia, Iurie Leanca voiced hope that the ban on Moldovan wine imports imposed by Moscow last September will be lifted in the near future. “It’s true that the process lasts. The Russian Prime Minister said it’s not an embargo, but a technical problem. We are waiting to see what follows. Experts of the Agriculture Ministry informed that all the problems, including the smallest ones, were removed and very good quality control mechanisms are being implemented,” said the Prime Minister.
According to Iurie Leanca, it is a situation when both Moldova and Russia lose, but the Moldovan authorities will struggle for the Russian market. He said he will try to come into contact with Russian Premier Dmitry Medvedev so as to address this situation. “Our goal is to maintain and strengthen the dialogue with Russia. We must find solutions to the problems to which different approaches were adopted such as the Transnistrian conflict and the withdrawal of the rest of the 14th army. We need communication. I’m convinced that our arguments will be heard at a certain moment or at least this should happen,” added Iurie Leanca, assuring that the relations with Russia are good, even if there certain problems.
