Moldovan official on visit to Canada

Chisinau, 24 November /MOLDPRES/- Deputy Foreign and European Integration Minister Iulian Groza paid a working visit to Canada on 21-24 November, the Foreign and European Integration Ministry’s communication and media relation service has reported.
  
The main issues tacked at meetings with Canadian officials were focused on attraction of investments, trade development, promotion of fruits and wines from Moldova on Canadian market, as well as consolidation of the bilateral dialogue. 
  
On visit, Groza met Deputy Minister of International Trade Simon Kennedy, asking support for facilitating the access of Moldovan producers of fruits and vegetables to the Canadian market. In the context, the officials encouraged strengthening cooperation between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the National Food Safety Agency of Moldova. Also, the sides agreed to speed up the signing of a bilateral agreement on promotion and mutual protection of investments, which would contribute to developing the bilateral economic ties.
  
At a meeting with Assistant Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Daniel Costello, the sides praised the quality of the bilateral political dialogue, which enhanced especially after the opening of the Moldovan embassy in Ottawa in December 2013. The Canadian side expressed solidarity with Moldova in this crucial period for the country and expressed support for holding free and fair elections in Moldova. In the context, the Canadian government reconfirmed its decision to appoint a group of 20 observers within the OSCE observation mission. 
  
At the same time, Groza welcomed the significant support provided by Canada for efforts to modernise the country. He said Moldova further relied on the Canadian partners’ support in implementing reforms. The agenda of talks also included the Moldovan-Canadian cooperation in the energy security.
  
Also, the Moldovan official participated in a roundtable organised by the State Crown Council under Canadian premier.  Attending the event were Canadian experts in foreign and security policy. The sides approached the key-priorities of the Moldovan government’s internal and external agenda for the next period, as well as prospects of evolution in the region.
  
At the end of the visit, Iulian Groza met representatives of Moldovan community from Toronto and Montreal, the largest Canadian cities.