Romania ForMin hails 23rd anniversary of Republic of Moldova independence

The Romanian Foreign Affairs Ministry hails Wednesday's 23rd anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Moldova's independence and stresses Romania was the first state to have recognised the neighbouring country's independence in 1991, the ministry said in a release to AGERPRES.

Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean, in a message to Moldovan Vice Prime Minister Natalia Gherman, also a Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration described Wednesday's opening of the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline a 'telling proof' of the dynamic bilateral cooperation.

'We have substantially advanced this year with respect to the implementation of the priorities on the bilateral agenda. The opening of the Iasi-Ungheni pipeline, on the very day we celebrate the Republic of Moldova's independence is a telling proof of our dynamic bilateral cooperation, of Romania's commitment to back the close connection of the Republic of Moldova to the European space, to the benefit of the citizens on either side of the Prut', the release quotes Corlatean as saying in speaking of the river making up the border between the two states.

The foreign ministry release highlights 'the success scored by Chisinau on the European road this year' and says Chisinau's signing of the European Union Association Agreement and the recent visa-free travel to the European space are 'successes equally owed to the Government and the citizens of the Republic of Moldova', whose efforts have made reaching this goal possible.

'Romania firmly supports the strategic European objectives of the Republic of Moldova and backs offering it a clear European prospect that should lead to its full EU integration in the future', the ministry said.AGERPRES