Deputy foreign minister participates in high-level meeting of Moldova-EU political dialogue
A high-level meeting of the Moldova-EU Political Dialogue on cooperation in the foreign and security policy (COPS) was held in Brussels on 24 November. Moldova's delegation was led by Deputy Foreign and European Integration Minister Natalia Gherman and the EU s by a representative of the Belgian chairmanship of the EU Council, COPS Ambassador Walter Stevens, the Foreign and European Integration Ministry's (MAEIE) media and public relations directorate has said.
At the meeting, the diplomats tackled the latest internal evolutions in Moldova, developments in the Transnistrian conflict settlement process, as well as relations with third countries.
The EU representative congratulated Moldova for its achievements in 2010. In this respect, he emphasized the tendency of economic stabilization and cooperation with the international financial institutions, including the European Investment Bank. The EU officials reiterated the importance to organize free and fair elections, which represent a new important test of democracy in Moldova.
The sides positively appreciated the results of negotiations on a Moldova-EU association agreement, as well as the elaboration by the Moldovan authorities of an action plan to fulfill the European Commission's key recommendations to prepare for talks on a deep free trade zone with the European Union. Also, the officials praised the dynamic of the Moldova-EU visa dialogue. After the EU Foreign Affairs Council had adopted conclusions on 25 October 2010, the European Commission started working out an action plan on visa liberalization.
The European Union welcomed the recent signing of the treaty on border regime between Moldova and Romania.
Referring to Transnistria-related topics, the EU diplomats reconfirmed their support for the resumption of official negotiations in the 5+2 format as soon as possible. The EU asceratined positive evolutions within the Transnistrian conflict settlement process in 2010 , which is a result of the pragmatic approach of the Moldova's authorities. The sides exchanged views on the OSCE Summit due in Astana, Kazakhstan, on 1-2 December 2010.
On visit to Brussels, the Moldovan deputy foreign and European integration minister met the permanent chairman of the EU Council's Political and Security
Committee, Olog Skoog, as well as the EU chief negotiator, Gunnar Wiegand, to prepare the next round of talks on the Moldova-EU Association Agreement, due in Brussels in mid-January 2011.
Moldpres
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