Catherine Ashton naar Moldavié (en)

EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 08 July2013 A

Catherine Ashton i travels to Moldova

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission Catherine Ashton travels to Moldova tomorrow

In Chisinau she will meet with Prime Minister Iurie Leanca and Foreign Minister Natalia Gherman. The High Representative will also meet the President of Moldova, Nicolae Timofti, the Speaker of the Parliament, Igor Corman, and leaders of political parties and factions

"Moldova has demonstrated its commitment to cooperation with the European Union and in Chisinau I will stress our reciprocal commitment to Moldova's political association and economic integration with the EU. I will also underscore the EU's support for the on-going political and economic reforms in Moldova, as well as in addressing challenges

like stabilising the institutions of democracy, fighting corruption and moving towards the settlement of the Transnistria-conflict, " said Catherine Ashton ahead of her visit

Background

The EU and Moldova have substantially completed negotiations on an EU-Moldova Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, which is expected to be initialled at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in November 2013

EU relations with Moldova: http://eeas.europa.eu/moldova/

15th meeting of the EU-Republic of Moldova Cooperation Council (25 June 2013): http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/er/137612.pdf

Eastern Partnership: http://eeas.europa.eu/eastern/index_en.htm