The President of Romania in Chisinau

Both the pro-Western orientation of the Republic of Moldova, and Romanias consistent support for Chisinaus European aspirations, will remain unchanged. This is the comforting message that the presidents of Moldova, Nicolae Timofti, and of Romania, Klaus

Bogdan Matei, 25.02.2015, 13:33

Implementing judicial reforms, fighting corruption and economic development remain, according to President Nicolae Timofti, the priorities of the new administration in the Republic of Moldova, which last year signed association and free trade agreements with Brussels, and which hopes to join the Union in 2020.

And, he adds, Bucharest’s support in this respect is vital: “We are currently implementing a large number of infrastructure projects, in the energy sector, transportation, education, medicine, etc. These are vital projects for the Republic of Moldova and, with Romania’s valuable support, they are becoming reality. I told the President of Romania that I would like more Romanian investments to come to Moldova, in all fields.”

An ally, partner and guide of its neighbour country ever since 1991, when Moldova proclaimed its independence from Moscow, Romania will continue to do everything in its power to help Chisinau get out of the grey ex-Soviet area. Joining the free world and embracing the Western values are the only ways to guarantee the democracy, human rights, the rule of law and prosperity that the Moldovan citizens want for themselves, the head of the Romanian state, Klaus Iohannis, said in Chisinau.

Klaus Iohannis: “I talked to President Timofti about the unquestionable benefits of European integration. European integration is the guarantee of a prosperous, secure and honourable future for all the citizens of the Republic of Moldova. We both agreed that the priorities that would take Moldova closer to this goal are related to carrying on the reforms of areas with an impact on citizens’ lives, namely economy, finances, the judiciary, the fight against corruption.”

Iohannis had planned the trip to Moldova, his first official visit as President, to take place on December the 21st, but postponed it because of the delays in forming the new Government in Chisinau. Created by a minority coalition of Liberal Democrats and Democrats and backed by the pro-Russian Communists, the new Moldovan Cabinet, headed by the young businessman Chiril Gaburici is, according to analysts, politically vulnerable and geopolitically confused.

Before leaving for Chisinau, Iohannis said the best option for the Republic of Moldova to stay on its pro-European path would have been a government formed by all the pro-Western parties that won a parliamentary majority in the November 30th elections, suggesting that the Liberals, the most determined supporters of stronger ties between Moldova and the EU, should have been included in the Government, instead of staying in opposition. The President added however that Romania is only entitled to express an opinion, and cannot tell Moldova what it should do.