You're reading: Moldovan prime minister: Despite euro crisis, EU remains goal

BRUSSELS — Moldova's prime minister says his enthusiasm for EU membership is undimmed by the euro crisis, and the path toward European integration will mean a "profound transformation" for his country.

Vlad Filat told The Associated Press in Brussels on March 27 that his government looks to the European Union as "a space of values."

Filat said the long road toward membership will involve economic and judicial reforms, and a fight against corruption.

Moldova, a former Soviet republic sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, remains a poor country, but Filat said the economy is improving, and he is optimistic people will feel a change in their daily lives.

"If I weren’t optimistic, I wouldn’t be prime minister," he said.