​USA REMAINING MOLDOVA’S STRATEGIC PARTNER – PREMIER FILIP

“The United States is remaining our strategic partner, and the assistance rendered by America is very valuable and important for us. We are grateful to the American people for it”, Moldovan Prime Minister Pavel Filip stated to the United States Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Moldova, James D. Pettit, on Friday.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the backing, offered by the United States and the European Union, was crucial for stabilization of the financial and economic situation in Moldova in 2016, and the main event of the past year was the signing of the cooperation agreement with the International Monetary Fund, the governmental press service reported.

According to it, the interlocutors discussed the current shape of bilateral relations, priority directions of subsequent cooperation, and remarked with satisfaction that this year is marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Filip underlined that 2017 must become a year of sustainable economic development and investment growth, and reaffirmed the country’s adherence to its chosen European course.

“Both the Moldovan Government and the Parliament are intending to preserve the realization of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement as the nation’s priority number one”, stated Pavel Filip.

The Premier spoke of the program of priority reforms, among which is the reform of the central public governance, for “without expanding the possibilities of the central administration, we will be not able to ensure a successful implementation of the reform program. In this connection, we need to have a strong partner”.

Ambassador James Pettit called the Government to proceed with reforms, all of which are ultimately aimed at raising the population’s living standards. The diplomat referred to the cooperation between the two countries in the economic field and in democracy consolidation. He reminded that in 2016 the Governments of the United States and the Republic of Moldova concluded two agreements on expanding trade and investment in key sectors of economy and on a more efficient democratic and responsible governance total worth US$98.7 million.

Infotag’s dossier: The United States is Moldova’s strategic partner. Since 1992, the USA has provided assistance totaling US$1.14 billion to this republic, including US$45 million in 2016. Earlier, Pavel Filip categorically dispelled the very possibility of denouncing of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement, stating clearly that the Government would be neutralizing any such actions and statements by President Igor Dodon in this direction.