Moldova, Ireland to crate first parliamentary friendship group

Chisinau, 20 July /MOLDPRES/ - Moldova and Ireland will create the first parliamentary friendship group which will strengthen the bilateral diplomatic relations. Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Nicu Popescu today made statements to this effect at a joint news conference with his counterpart from Ireland, Simon Coveney, on an official visit to Chisinau.    

At the meeting, the officials referred to the initiation of discussions on the signing of more agreements due to bring benefits to the citizens of both countries. ‘’It is about the social protection sector, conversion of driver’s licences, signing of an agreement for the liberalization of roaming with Ireland, recognition of diplomas, mutual protection of investments and cooperation in the tourism sector,’’ Popescu said.  

The official noted that Simon Coveney was the first foreign affairs minister of a European Union state on a visit to Chisinau after the getting of the status of country candidate for accession to EU. ‘’This is the first visit, when I do not try to persuade our partners to give us the status of country candidate, as we have already achieved this goal. Our discussions were based on possibilities of benefiting from this status and how we can advance our Moldovan-Irish relations. We discussed the economy of Moldova, corruption, regional situation, negative effects of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, humanitarian crisis  and how the waves of refugees affected Moldova,’’ Nicu Popescu said.  

For his part, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence of Ireland Simon Coveney showed support for Moldova’s advancement in the European integration. ‘’We want to support you in the carrying out of the reforms which are so necessary. I am looking forward to see Chisinau becoming a European capital, just as Dublin is. We will be with you, so that you to manage to fulfill this dream, which is pretty real, no matter the present challenges. At the same time, we will provide needed support for the management of the humanitarian crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine, as the Russian aggression brings changes to our continent,’’ Simon Coveney noted.    

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence of Ireland Simon Coveney is on an official visit to Chisinau.  His agenda includes also a meeting with President Maia Sandu.