MOLDOVA-GERMANY-CHANCELLOR-OPINION

Chisinau, August 22 (Interfax) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel has credited Moldova with serious achievements in its efforts to achieve closer integration with Europe and in its work to settle its conflict with its breakaway Transdniestria province.

The European Union and Moldova should keep working on a free trade treaty, on a treaty to give Moldova associate membership in the EU and on liberalizing EU entry visa rules for Moldovans, Merkel told a briefing in Chisinau on Wednesday.

She also credited Moldova with playing a central role in the EU’s Eastern Partnership project.

She promised that the EU would continue to help Moldova, with its volume of assistance being proportional to the country’s achievements.

Filat said: “Such an assessment from the German chancellor is very important for Chisinau. It is very important for us that Moldova has a European prospect. This inspires us to remain on our path of reforms. Moldova is a European country, and we will continue to reform our institutions of government in keeping with European standards.”

He called Merkel’s current visit to Moldova “extremely important” and thanked Germany for help that it has been giving the former Soviet republic over the two decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

“It is owing to the efforts of Germany that it has been possible to resume negotiations on the settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict in the Five Plus Two format,” Filat said.

Merkel praised Moldova’s efforts to settle the Transdniestrian conflict and said some progress had been made toward a settlement.

Wednesday’s schedule for the German chancellor’s visit includes a meeting with the leaders of the political groups in the Moldovan parliament and a meeting with President Nicolae Timofti.

Filat is to host Merkel on Wednesday evening for dinner in the restaurant of the Cricova wine-making complex.

Merkel is due to leave Chisinau on Wednesday evening.

[MJ EUROPE EEU EMRG POL PRO]

18:50:26 EET-2