10 February 2011

Prime Minister Vlad Filat today had a working lunch with European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek, the government's communications and press relations department has said.

The two officials discussed the political and economic situation in Moldova and actions due to be undertaken by the Moldovan government.

Following the working lunch, Vlad Filat and Jerzy Buzek made press statements.

Jerzy Buzek congratulated Vlad Filat on his election as prime minister, wishing him further achievements.

The president of the European Parliament said that Moldova may be a model within the Eastern Partnership, as the election held in November 2010 were carried out at the highest level, were fair and the contenders had free access to media.

"We know very well that you have much to do. Yet, we trust the three parties that formed the Alliance for European Integration," Jerzy Buzek said.

The EP president noted that Moldova should press ahead with the reforms, especially the ones in the justice and economic sectors.

Jerzy Buzek showed confidence that Moldova will have a period of stability of at least four years.

Vlad Filat thanked for the warm meetings and the support which Moldova enjoys on behalf of the European Parliament and Jerzy Buzek personally.

"Moldova is involved in a process of deep transformations. This process is aimed at integration into the large European family. We set the objective to sign the association agreement as soon as possible, so that the Moldovan citizens may benefit from the European values and freedoms," Vlad Filat said.

The prime minister specified that, at the last November polls, over 60 per cent of the Moldovan citizens backed the line of reforms and European integration promoted for more than one year.

"We will continue to work by implementing our reforms' agenda. Moldova set the goal and will become a success story," Vlad Filat said.

Asked by journalists to express his opinion on the Moldovan president's election issue, Jerzy Buzek said that the constitutional stalemate is not good, it can no longer continue, noting that a solution should be identified to overcome the situation.

"In my opinion, the most important thing now is to elect the country's president. This has a direct connection with the political stability, the country's future. The problem of the president's election must be settled as soon as possible, as we should use the political moment and the friendly atmosphere emerged after the elections. The stability in the country is safer with an elected president than with an acting one, who also holds the post of speaker," Jerzy Buzek said.

Moldpres