"Italy is willing to be a connection point between Moldova and the European Union." Italian Deputy Interior Minister Marco Minniti made statements to this effect at a today's meeting with Moldovan Speaker Marian Lupu. The Italian official pays a working visit to Moldova, according to a press release of the legislature's press and image service.

Marian Lupu described the visit by the Italian dignitary as extremely important in a series of joint actions to strengthen the Moldovan-Italian bilateral relations both in the political and economic fields.

The speaker thanked the Italian authorities for constructively approaching the situation of the Moldovan citizens who work in Italy. Marian Lupu stressed that the two countries' authorites have so far managed to put into a juridical framework a series of aspects on migration, so as to defend Italy's and Moldova's interests.

"Moldova's parliament and authorities are interested in the migration phenonemnon's lawfulness and in adjusting all the aspects of this phenomenon to the spirit of law. We vehemently declare against the illegal migration," Marian Lupu said.

In this respect, Marian Lupu voiced hope that the signing of a protocol on cooperation between the Italian and Moldovan interior ministries within the visit will efficiently contribute to achieving goods results in combatting the illicit human traffic, the organised crime and to cease the migration.

Speaker Marian Lupu conveyed official invitations to his Italian counterparts, the chairpersons of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, to visit Moldova throughout the next year.

Marco Minniti emphasized Italy's interest to establish an efficient mechanism of controlling the illegal migration, as well as to sign an agreement on readmission between the two countries.

At the same time, the Italian official reiterated Italy's willingness to open a diplomatic representation in Chisinau during 2007. In this respect, the Italian deputy interior minister specified that more technical issues are to be given the final touches.

Marco Minniti said Italy is wishing to support and encourage Moldova's European integration efforts, stressing the fact that Moldova will be placed in a geostrategic position after the EU's new enlargement wave due on 1 January 2007.

"It is important that Moldova fully turns to account all the advantages offered by the European Neighbourhood Policy. Italy is willing, in its turn, to be a connection point between Moldova and the European Union," Marco Minniti said.

The officials also discussed aspects on investment projects, and stressed the common interest to cooperate in the energy and transport fields. In this respect, Speaker Marian Lupu reconfirmed the parliament's willingness to give to foreign investors facilities to make important investments in significant areas for Moldova. // Moldpres


Publication date: 18 December 2006   

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