Premiers of Moldova, Ukraine reiterate importance of Moldovan-Ukrainian partnership, European integration

Chisinau, 13 February /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Pavel Filip today had a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Groysman. The officials discussed the Moldovan-Ukrainian partnership and possibilities to boost the bilateral cooperation in more sectors of common interest, including the commercial and economic relations, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported. 
In the context, Pavel Filip noted that the visit was paid on the eve of marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between Moldova and Ukraine and represented a good occasion to discuss up-to-date subjects for both sides. At the same time, Prime Minister Filip stressed the importance to organize a meeting of the Moldovan-Ukrainian inter-governmental commission for economic cooperation this year. The commission held a meeting last time in 2011. Also, the sides highlighted the major importance of completing the process of state border’s demarcation and establishing the rights of ownership, as well as ensuring the work of the Novodnestrovsk power station and protecting the ecosystem of the Dniester river.    
At the meeting, the officials discussed also the importance to develop the bilateral trade and economic ties and emphasized the progress made in 2016. Last year, the balance of trade between the two states reached 394.5 million dollars; Moldova’s exports grew by 8.2 per cent against the same period of 2015 and the import of Ukrainian goods to Moldova increased by 2.9 per cent. “We speak out for further strengthening the commercial and economic cooperation with Ukraine, which is one of the most important economic partners of Moldova,” Pavel Filip said.
For his part, Volodymyr Groysman thanked the Moldovan authorities for decision on removing the commercial barriers for Ukrainian producers, stressing that Moldova is not only a neighbour state for Ukraine, but also a strategic partner. “We do not have problems that would create divergences between our countries; we have only subjects which unite us. In 2017, we should make efforts to deepen the bilateral partnership,” the Ukrainian PM said.
Another subject discussed by the two prime ministers was focused on the protection of the Dniester river’s ecosystem and the Ukrainian authorities’ intention to construct six new hydroelectric power stations. In the context, PM Pavel Filip reiterated the importance of speeding up the process of entrance into force of the Agreement on cooperation in the field of conservation and sustainable development of the Dniester river basin, signed in Rome in 2012. The prime ministers of Moldova and Ukraine ruled to create a joint commission which is to assess the impact of the work of the Dniester energy complex on the river’s ecosystem and work out a regulation on the work of the Novodnestrovsk station. “The Dniester river is a source of vital importance for the supply with water of the Chisinau and Odessa cities, as well as of more settlements from Moldova and Ukraine,” Pavel Filip said.
Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said that the Ukrainian authorities were opened for participating in carrying out needed studies to elaborate correct technical decisions on the exploitation of the Dniester river. “The Kiev authorities will cooperate with the Chisinau authorities; at the same time, we want to discuss the problem with Moldovan scientists and experts. The protection of ecology is a priority for Ukraine,” Volodymyr Groysman said.  
At the same time, the officials confirmed the two states’ willingness to promote the cross-border cooperation, including by the opening of joint border checkpoints, implementing projects on development of infrastructure and maintaining the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM).   
The sides also exchanged opinions on the Transnistrian conflict settlement and importance to promote a joint approach within the five-plus-two talks. At the same time, Pavel Filip reiterated Moldova’s support for the settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine by diplomatic means, with the observance of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In the end of the meeting, PM Pavel Filip invited Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman to visit Moldova and confirmed willingness to participate in the Summit of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development (GUAM), due in Kiev in late next March.