Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt announced today that the European Union is now ready to start negotiations with the Republic of Moldova on a New Agreement.

This message was conveyed during the visit of the EU Ministerial Troika to Chisinau. The agreement will replace and go beyond the current Partnership and Cooperation Agreement which has been in place since 1998. A mandate has already been given to the European Commission and negotiations will be launched shortly.

“The New Agreement is a powerful tool to promote deeper cooperation and approximation between Moldova and the EU”, said Mr Bildt. “The EU decision to start negotiations testifies to the progress made by Moldova in implementing reforms and its commitment to continuing on the reform path. The New Agreement will help Moldova realise these goals.”

“I am delighted that the EU and the Republic of Moldova are taking the next steps towards  political association and economic integration” said Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy. “The agreement will bring tangible benefits to the citizens of Moldova and the EU notably in the fields of the economy, business and the rule of law”

Moldova is one of six Eastern European countries within the Eastern Partnership which was launched in May 2009 and holds out the perspective of political association and economic integration with the EU.

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The EU Troika visited Chisinau on 16 October and had meetings with Prime Minister Vlad Filat, Foreign Minister Iurie Leanca, the speaker of the Parliament Mihai Ghimpu, Deputy Speaker Serafim Urechean and former President Vladimir Voronin. The EU was represented by Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt, accompanied by the EU Special Representative to the Republic of Moldova Kálmán Mizsei and representatives of the European Commission and the incoming Spanish Presidency.