​EUROPEAN OFFICIALS PROMISE TO HELP MOLDOVA OVERCOME ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS

European officials and representatives of European Union member countries are promising to help Moldova overcome the economic difficulties caused by the Russian embargo on the importation of goods from Moldova. This question has become one of the main issues being discussed between the Moldovan leadership and the representatives of the European Union and of the governments of EU countries, who have come to Chisinau to attend the Monday’s meeting of the Group in support of Moldova’s European actions.

EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule stated in this connection here that the European Union is considering possibilities of rendering financial assistance to Moldovan farm producers to help them overcome the tough situation they have found themselves in as a result of the Russian ban on the importation of Moldovan fruit and vegetables.

According to the governmental press service, the European financial assistance to Moldovan farmers, reform of the judiciary and the general situation in this region of Europe were discussed at the meeting, which Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca had with Commissioner Stefan Fule.

Leanca said in this connection, “We are undertaking measures to help our farmers export to the European market. Romania and Poland are the first EU states to have opened their markets to Moldovan farmers”.

In his words, the judiciary reform is a priority on Moldova’s European agenda. He underscored the need for a transfer of expertise in this field by inviting European judges to Moldova for rendering assistance to local judges.

On Sunday evening, Iurie Leanca met with Germany’s State Minister on European Union Affairs Michael Roth to discuss the economic situation in the republic, its Euro-integration process, and the situation in region as a whole.

Having expressed gratitude for Germany’s support and Minister Roth’s coming to Chisinau, which Leanca said he perceived as a sign of solidarity with Moldova, the prime minister stressed that Moldovan farm producers badly need support in conditions when they are suffering the Russian embargo.

“It is very important for us to find new markets and raise standards of quality of our agricultural produce”, said the Moldovan premier.

“You are not alone. Moldova is a part of Europe”, said the German minister, and stated that Germany “fully supports the Republic of Moldova’s European course”.

In his words, the ratification of the Association Agreement with the European Union is the first step on the Euro-integration road, and the next step should be the continuation of reforms, including the acceleration of the judiciary reform.

Speaking of the situation in Ukraine, the interlocutors shared the opinion that dialog is the only way to peaceful overcoming of the crisis.

Prime Minister Iurie Leanca and Parliament Chairman Igor Corman held meetings also with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta George W. Vella, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevicius and other officials, who are taking part today in the Chisinau meeting of the Group for support of Moldova’s European actions. The forum’s chief topics of discussion are Moldova’s European agenda, the provisional application – from September 1 – of the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, and discussion of the current situation in this region of Europe.

The Foreign Minister of Malta announced in Chisinau that his country had ratified the Association Agreement, thus having become the 5th nation to have fulfilled this procedure.

At the end of the ministerial meeting, the Moldovan Deputy Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Natalia Gherman, Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Titus Corlateanu, France’s State Secretary for European Affairs Harlem Desir, and Commissioner Stefan Fule will appear at a news conference later on Monday.