United Kingdom upbeat on Moldova's future in EU

Agentia Informationala de Stat "Moldpres"

Chisinau, 2 March /MOLDPRES/ - The United Kingdom will be a friend of Moldova within the European Union. This message was conveyed to the Moldovan authorities by a representative of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, head of the Diplomatic Service Peter Rickets at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and European Integration Minister Iurie Leanca. The Moldovan official was on a visit to London on 26 February - 1 March, the Foreign and European Integration Ministry's (MAIEIE) media and public relations directorate has said.

This support stems from the United Kingdom's consistent position in favour of the extension process and has been recently proved through full support provided within the EU for the launch of talks on a Moldova-EU association agreement.

The discussions at the British Foreign Office confirmed the British government's willingness to give the necessary assistance, especially methodological examination and advice in the most important for Moldova sectors, such as economy and finance, security and defence, justice and domestic affairs. In particular, the United Kingdom showed willingness to consider a possibility of assisting the training of Moldovan experts for negotiations on the future agreement on deep and comprehensive free trade.

The British government reiterated its support for the structural reforms launched by the Moldovan government, including through its participation in the international effort of giving financial assistance. The government also welcomed the initiative to organize a conference of donors in Brussels on 24 March 2010.

During meetings held on the occasion of the visit to London by the Moldovan official, representatives of the British parliament discussed the importance to consistently and coherently promote domestic reforms, which represent a solid basis for the advancement of dialogue with the European Union. Encouraging messages were launched within a meeting with the head of the parliamentary commission for EU, Lord Roper. The British MP said that Moldova's future is in the EU, and on this ground, Moldova should be treated differently from other participants in the Eastern Partnership, on the basis of the progress made on the path of reforms. The Moldovan foreign minister stressed the importance that the EU creatively approach Moldova's performance, especially while developing the Moldova-EU dialogue on the liberalization of the visa regime in the long run.

Iurie Leanca thanked the parliamentary friendship group for Moldova led by Lord Dubs for its substantial contribution to maintaining Moldova on the agenda of the British parliament and government. In this respect, he referred to the parliamentary motion "Moldova's Future", launched following an initiative by the members of this group.

The issue of facilitating the visa regime between Moldova and the United Kingdom was the main subject discussed with British Minister of State for Borders and Immigration Plil Woolas. The issue was approached in the context that cooperation in this sector represents a Moldovan-British bilateral exercise, as the United Kingdom is not party to the Schengen Agreement. The two officials shared the opinion that possibilities of giving up the compulsoriness of visas for the holders of Moldovan diplomatic passports should be considered.

On visit to London, Minister Iurie Leanca met representatives of the Moldovan community in the United Kingdom, in the context of a wider governmental strategy to establish a direct dialogue between the central authorities and the compatriots from abroad. Leanca presented the government's objectives and the actions undertaken to support the Moldovan communities from abroad. The sides discussed the social and education problems faced by Moldovan citizens. Representatives of the diaspora asked the Moldovan central authorities to consolidate the communication strategies with the Moldovan nationals from the United Kingdom, and especially Ireland, where it is highly necessary to enhance the interaction between the authorities and the diaspora, given the lack of a permanent diplomatic representation, including by appointing an honorary consul of Moldova in Ireland as soon as possible. The minister gave assurances that the proposals would be examined attentively, adding that the national authorities would undertake the necessary measures to fulfill them.

Discussions with representatives of the National School of Government focused on prospects of cooperation to consolidate the institutional abilities of the central public administration.

The Moldovan foreign minister made a presentation at the Royal Institute of International Affairs on the subject "Moldova's Integration into Europe and Black Sea Region" and gave interviews to British journalists.