Moldovan PM attends Central European Initiative Summit

Chisinau, 12 December /MOLDPRES/- Prime Minister Pavel Filip today participated in the Central European Initiative (CEI) Summit, organized under the aegis of Belarus, which held the presidency of the platform in 2017.

According to the government’s communication and protocol department, Filip appreciated the opportunity to cooperate with the countries of the Central European Initiative. “Cooperation within CEI and Moldova’s European agenda are complementary, the first one contributes to progress in sustainable fulfillment of the commitments made to the European partners”, he said.

At the same time, Filip reiterated the support of CEI initiatives aimed at developing regional and transnational projects in various sectors, with the involvement of the EU as a strategic partner of the region. A proof of Moldova’s firm commitment to remain a reliable partner, interested in promoting an active regional agenda on CEI platform, is also the signing of the CEI Action Plan for 2018-2020.

In the context, Filip highlighted the significant role of the CEI member states in developing transport infrastructure in Europe, supporting the efforts of partner countries interested in taking over European standards in the road transport.

“As an important link at the intersection of Southeastern and Eastern Europe, opening to European and Eurasian transport networks, Moldova is building transport policy based on the following goals: adjusting national legislation to European standards in accordance with the Association Agreement, connecting and respectively integrating into trans-European transport corridors, getting greater access to the European car market”, he said.

Another issue was related to managing migration and its impact. Moldova confirmed its willingness to share the experience gained in the area, especially, as regards strengthening the management of the Moldovan-Romanian border and migration policies.

The participants in the meeting also exchanged views on combating terrorist threats, including in cyberspace and hybrids, representing serious risks to regional security.

The Central European Initiative is the largest intergovernmental forum for regional cooperation in Europe, with observer status at the UN General Assembly. In 2018, CEI presidency will be taken over by Croatia. CEI brings together ten EU member states: Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and eight non-EU states: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Ukraine.