Moldova, Poland to consolidate bilateral cooperation

Chisinau, 16 November /MOLDPRES/ - The Moldovan-Polish relations and possibilities of their further development today were discussed by Prime Minister Pavel Filip and new Ambassador of Poland to Moldova Bartłomiej Zdaniuk. The PM wished the diplomat much success and assured him of every support in exercising his mandate, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.   
The sides ascertained that, at present, there is a close cooperation between Moldova and Poland. PM Pavel Filip appreciated both the backing of Poland on the bilateral dimension and the support provided for Moldova’s European integration. “The European integration is an internal issue for us. We want to carry out reforms here, in Moldova, so as to raise the level of well-being of our citizens to the European one,” Pavel Filip said.      
In the context, the prime minister referred to Moldova’s relations with IMF and EU, as well as the principal reforms promoted by the cabinet. Among them, there are reforms in the justice system, social sector, measures undertaken to improve the business environment. “We still have problems, but the tendencies are positive. We need support of the development partners, in order to go ahead on the way of reforms,” Pavel Filip noted.  
In this respect, Ambassador Bartłomiej Zdaniuk confirmed Poland’s interest and willingness to back efforts of Moldova’s European integration and the country’s modernization. “You have a good friend in us, who wants to help you and is interested in developing projects in all sectors of mutual interest,” the Polish diplomat said. In the context, the ambassador informed about Poland’s initiative to share the experience and good practices of developing city social centres.    
Within the dialogue, special attention was paid also to the way the Polish loan meant for Moldova’s agriculture is used. PM Pavel Filip said that the most efficient ways of using this loan would be identified. At the same time, the prime minister spoke out for the extension of the presence of Polish investments in the national economy.  
The sides also exchanged opinions on the political dialogue, trade, economic and cultural cooperation between Moldova and Poland. Pavel Filip praised especially Poland’s support for implementing policies of Moldova’s development, as well as the political backing on behalf of the Visegrad Group states. 
Poland is among the first ten commercial partners of Moldova. In the first half of 2017, the bilateral trade recorded an increase of 10.7 per cent against the same period of 2016. Presently, 37 bilateral treaties are signed between Moldova and Poland, which regulate diverse activity sectors.