Moldovan foreign affairs minister says country's goal to get EU's invitation to start negotiations on accession by late 2023

Chisinau, 24 May /MOLDPRES/ - Our goal is to get an invitation on behalf of the European Union to launch the negotiations on accession by the end of this year, following the implementation by Moldova of the European Commission’s recommendations. Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Nicu Popescu today made statements to this effect after a meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjàrtó in Chisinau.   

Deputy PM Nicu Popescu noted that, at the meeting, the sides had discussed the European integration process, the bilateral political dialogue and the economic cooperation.

„Both Moldova and Hungary feel the effects of the war in Ukraine; therefore, we discussed how we can minimize the invasion’s negative impact. Hungary has always backed our efforts on the way of the country’s European integration, for which we thank you. It is in the interest of our country to join EU as soon as possible. At the same time, we discussed the social and cultural relations, the cooperation between the interior ministries and the commercial ties. We are happy that the volume of the Moldovan-Hungarian trade doubled in 2022 against 2021 and it amounts to 231 million dollars. At the same time, 62 enterprises with Hungarian capital work in Moldova. We also discussed the return of the Wizz Air Company to Moldova – an extra reason would be the fact that the airport returned under the state’s ownership. An important subject was also the preparation for the Summit of the European Political Community (EPC),’’ Nicu Popescu said.         

For his part, Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjàrtó said that the EPC Summit was a clear sign that Moldova makes important steps on the European integration way. ‘’We support the enlargement of the European Union. Hungary provided Moldova with every needed support in the intention to integrate into EU; the things will remain like this in the long run as well. At the same time, we want to develop the bilateral commercial and economic relations, especially as more companies with Hungarian capital work here. Referring to the Wizz Air company, we are sorry that it suspended its activity in Moldova, for a certain period; yet, we hope that it will return as soon as possible,’’ Péter Szijjàrtó said.      

Also today, a working plan on cultural cooperation between the Culture Ministry of Moldova and the Culture and Innovation Ministry of Hungary for 2023-2027 was signed at the headquarters of the Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry. Culture Minister Sergiu Prodan and Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjàrtó signed the document.   

Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjàrtó is on a working visit to Moldova on 24-25 May 2023.