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Moldovan prime minister, U.S. secretary of state make statements at joint briefing

04-03-2015 09:33
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Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici:

 

"Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Thank you for your interest in this important event in the development of the Moldovan-American relations. It is my great pleasure to welcome today's high guest, Mr Antony Blinken, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, who is visiting our country for the second time. He is in Moldova within a European tour, which besides our country, has already included France, and, in the coming days, he will visit the United Kingdom and Germany. Thus, I voice confidence that some issues we tackled today on the European course of Moldova and the Eastern Partnership Summit, due in Riga in May 2015, will be further discussed by Mr. Blinken and senior officials from European capitals as well.

 

As a matter of fact, namely Brussels was the destination I have chosen absolutely naturally for my first visit abroad as prime minister of Moldova. The dialogue I had with European Council President Donald Tusk, European Parliament President Martin Schulz and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini showed the convergence of our opinions regarding the European future of Moldova and the reforms that must be continued, including with the support of the European Union, so that Moldova's European integration should be achieved. We will also continue these discussions in the format of the Association Council, due in Brussels on 16 March 2015, to review the pace of the implementation of the Association Agreement and to identify the best ways of interaction with EU. Their goal is to fully turn into account the opportunities this framework offers us, for the benefit of our citizens.

 

Mr. Blinken’s current visit to Moldova, taking place just two weeks after the investiture of the new government ,is an eloquent expression of the constant political support for Moldova by the United States for democratic developments, reformation and modernisation of the country, in the context of the irreversible process of Moldova's European integration, undertaken by the new government.

 

At the today’s meeting, we had a very good and useful discussion on the priority topics on the agenda of bilateral relations, especially in deepening the Strategic Dialogue between both countries, launched in 2014. To the same extent, we addressed issues concerning regional security and I thanked the deputy secretary of state for the solidarity shown to Moldova's efforts in the process of strengthening the statehood and territorial integrity.

 

In this respect, the U.S. Congress' resolutions on supporting Moldova's European integration, as well as the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, which were unequivocally approved in 2014, are worth being mentioned and, along with the numerous visits by senior members of the U.S. Congress officials, they may serve as good examples of the American political elite’s support for Moldova. We are further relying on the active role of the U.S. partners in the five-plus-two negotiations on the Transnistrian conflict settlement by observing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova.

 

At the same time, we reiterated the fact that we rely in continuation on the US support for the modernisation of our country. I thanked the deputy secretary for the substantial assistance provided by the USA, amounting to 1.2 billion dollars over the last 23 years, which allowed us to start several priority reforms in building democratic institutions, market economy and promoting fundamental freedoms.

 

In this context, I would like to emphasise the tangible results and beneficial effects of the technical and financial assistance worth 262 million dollars, provided by the U.S. Government within the Compact programme through the Millennium Challenge Corporation, used to improve transport infrastructure (including the Sarateni-Soroca road) and restore irrigation systems of the country. During the meeting ,we expressed Moldova’s increased interest in the signing of a new Compact Programme with the Millennium Challenge Corporation. 

 

An equally important component of the relations between our countries is the trade, economic and investment cooperation. During the discussions, we appreciated the resumption of the work of the Moldovan-American Economic Cooperation Committee in 2014, after a break of almost nine years.

 

Dear Deputy Secretary of State,

 

Your presence in Chisinau, during such important times for the democratic and European course of Moldova, is a reference point for the development of the strategic dialogue between our countries, but also mobilises us to continue the advancement of the reforms in justice, fighting corruption and modernisation of our country.

 

Thank you for your attention and now I give the floor to U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken. "

 

Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken:

 

"Thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister!

 

It is a pleasure to come back to Moldova. As noted by Mr. Prime Minister, I am here for the second time. I was in Moldova a few years ago, during the visit by U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden.

 

Today, I had a wholesome conversation with the prime minister, foreign minister, and the president of the country. I am incredibly impressed by the vision you formed, Mr. Prime Minister, for the development of Moldova, the progress you are determined to get for the people. Both the authorities and the people of Moldova will have the U.S. authorities’ support in all these efforts.

 

The relations between our countries have never been stronger than now and I have come here today with a very simple message - to express our continuous support for Moldova and to reiterate our backing for concrete and quick actions for carrying out the reforms Moldova needs, in order achieve European integration.

 

The signing of the Association Agreement, the Free Trade Agreement, and visa liberalisation have been huge successes in this regard. A lot of these benefits take time to be fully felt by the people. The result for which the Chisinau authorities have worked is enormous. The Moldovans, once integrated in Europe, will gain access to the biggest single market of the world. As the Moldovan industry and products develop, new opportunities for trade, jobs, welfare will be created. As we move forward on this path, a farmer from Orhei will not worry that his grapes, for example, will rot in the fields or on the road because of an embargo.

 

And family from Balti will not worry they do not have heating, because you will have a diversification of energy sources, making sure all your citizens have everything. As the investment climate improves, as you fight corruption and strengthen the rule of law and an independent justice system, business people will come and invest in Moldova and will help you strengthen the capacity of institutions, so that the latter bring welfare in the country.

 

So, there is a clear-cut path for the future, which the prime minister chose and the government followed and which we support very much. As noted by Mr. Prime Minister, one year ago in Washington, exactly today, the Strategic Dialogue between the U.S. and Moldova was launched and it aims to strengthen our close cooperation in very important areas, including energy, security, strengthening your democracy. Today, during our meetings, as Mr. Prime Minister said, we discussed all these very important issues and I reiterated, on behalf of my government, our commitment to these bilateral relations, as well as further cooperation in the Transnistrian conflict settlement through the five-plus-two format and  on the path of Moldova's European integration. These are challenges. In fact, Moldova lives in a very difficult environment and will require very rapid, decisive actions on its agenda of reforms promised to its citizens. But today I witnessed a very strong commitment on behalf of the prime minister and the government that they will do this.

 

As Moldova advances, the United States will be there for you, helping you and supporting the Moldovan people and the progress you will record.

 

Thank you very much!”

Agenda

February 2027

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