PRESS RELEASE

Subject :

The Cooperation Council between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova held its third meeting on Tuesday 15 May 2001. The meeting was chaired by Mr Vasile TARLEV, Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova( 1). Ms Anna Lindh, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden and President-in-office of the Council of the European Union headed the European Union Delegation. The European Commission was represented by Ms DAY, Deputy Director General.

The third meeting of the Cooperation Council provided a timely opportunity for the recently appointed Moldovan government and the EU to lay the basis for further strengthening the relations between the two parties. The parties agreed to maintain the momentum of efficient implementation of the PCA, in particular with regard to legal approximation and law enforcement. The Cooperation Council underlined that success in these fields would strengthen the integration of Moldova in the international community and pave the way towards a common free trade area.

Both parties agreed the importance of cooperation in justice and home affairs, in particular in tackling the common problems of trafficking in human beings, illegal migration, drug trafficking, as well as smuggling of goods such as cigarettes and alcohol.

The EU stressed the importance of increasing foreign direct investment in Moldova to develop the Moldovan economy and establish strong business links with the EU. Legal and administrative reforms should contribute to an investment friendly environment.

The EU congratulated Moldova on the successful conclusion of the negotiations for WTO accession. The EU suggested concentrating on the implementation of the conclusion of the joint feasibility study of a Free Trade Area with a view to making early progress.

Other priorities for the period up to the next meeting of the Cooperation Council will be joint efforts on approximation of legislation and law enforcement, customs and cross-border cooperation, as well as the fight against crime.

Ministers had a useful exchange of views on political issues of mutual interest, in particular on the political situation in Moldova and the Moldovan Government's foreign policy orientations, as well as on Transnistria and the Stability Pact.

On Transnistria, the EU is encouraged by the resumption of contacts between Chisinau and Tiraspol at the highest level. It believes that if both parties continue to demonstrate such political will, a mutually satisfactory resolution of the Transnistria dispute can be found. The EU urges the Russian Federation to honour its commitments undertaken at the Istanbul OSCE Summit to ensure the complete withdrawal of its troops from Moldova by the end of 2002.

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Footnotes:

Mr Andrei CUCU - Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Economy and Reforms

Mr Nicolae CERNOMAZ - Minister for Foreign Affairs.