Prime Minister Iurie Leanca today attended the ninth meeting of the European Action Group for Moldova (GAERM), held in Chisinau.

The main topics focused the Moldova’s European agenda, especially the provisional enforcement of the EU - Moldova Association Agreement starting from today and identifying opportunities to support Moldovan farmers to sell their products on the European market. The sides also discussed the situation in the region.

"The today's meeting is about the vision and most important project of our country - the European future. This bold vision is worth being addressed at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga, due next year. At the same time, this vision of European integration animates our European agenda, helps us mobilise our domestic resources and stimulates our people’s confidence in future," said Iurie Leanca.

The prime minister said the implementation of the Association Agreement, particularly the Free Trade Agreement, would gradually integrate Moldova into the EU internal market and strengthen political ties between the two sides. "I believe your visit will contribute to the support and solidarity by taking concrete actions, that will help speed up reforms and overcome the challenges we are facing. We have showed our citizens through concrete actions that the EU is a reliable choice for Moldova, which will bring considerable benefits," said the prime minister.

In this context, Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean stressed that the EU should continue to support Moldova’s European integration process. "We highly appreciate the efforts of the Moldovan government in carrying out reforms. We will continue to back Moldova’s European prospect."

For his part, French Secretary of State for European Affairs Harlem Desir said the entry into force of the Free Trade Agreement provisions will allow Moldova penetrating the EU market - one of the largest in the world. "The Association Agreement is an important lever for Moldova, as it will help strengthen democracy, the country's development, improve the citizens’ living," said Harlem Desir.

Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini, who was appointed as High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on 30 August, said: "This is my first visit abroad in my new position. The new school year started today in Moldova and also today the provisional implementation of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement entered into force. This has a double meaning - of good intentions and a prosperous beginning. We will support Moldova's European future," said Federica Mogherini.

The foreign ministers and secretaries of state from the Foreign Ministries of the EU countries, Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Ratification Štefan Füle, and Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia in the European External Action Service Luis Felipe Fernandez de la Pena attended the GAERM meeting.

The European Action Group for Moldova (GAERM) is a mechanism launched in January 2010, at an initiative by Romania and France, to promote the interests and visibility of Moldova on the European agenda. The first meeting was held in Chisinau in September 2010.