You're reading: Moldova prime minister: Integration with Europe does not contradict CIS members

The process of Moldova's integration into Europe does not contradict the country's cooperation within the Commonwealth of Independent States, Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca said at a meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Grigory Karasin in Chisinau.

“We want to promote the very best relationship with Russia. We are fully open with regard to the process of our integration with the European Union. We have nothing to hide. And an association agreement with the EU that we are going to sign does not contradict cooperation with the Russian Federation. We would like to be a reliable partner. This will enable us to promote cooperation both in the east and the west,” Leanca was quoted as saying by the Moldovan government’s office for liaison with the press.

Karasin, for his part, reaffirmed Russia’s interest in further promoting ties with Moldova.

“Russia favors friendly relations with Moldova and wants to develop these ties in all areas. We expect to have a fast-paced political dialogue,” the high-ranking Russian diplomat said.

The sides reiterated the need to “step up contacts at the highest level in order to be able to discuss issues of mutual interest.”

On June 9, Karasin also held meetings with Moldovan Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Natalia Gherman and her deputy Valeriu Chiveri. The delegations of the two countries’ Foreign Ministries held consultations.

A Moldovan Foreign Ministry spokesman told Interfax that the consultations in Chisinau addressed ways to “maintain the political dialogue and the positive dynamics of contacts between the ministries.”

“During the consultations, the sides discussed different aspects of Moldovan-Russian trade and economic cooperation. The Moldovan authorities called for all technical barriers to be removed and exports of Moldovan wine to the Russian market to be resumed. The sides also discussed issues concerning the signing of an association agreement with the EU. The deputy foreign ministers reaffirmed the importance for the two countries’ experts to discuss the principles of creating a free trade area between Moldova and the EU in order to resolve any existing disagreements,” the ministry said.

Moldova’s capital, Chisinau is expected to host the second round of these consultations on June 10-11. Moldova and the EU plan to sign an association agreement on June 27.