Austrian MPs reaffirm support for Moldova

Moldova has proved its readiness to advance on the European path. Now, the EU must live up to your courage. I assure you that Austria remains a devoted partner in your path towards European integration. Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Austria Petra Bayr today made statements to this effect, during a press conference held jointly with Vice President of Austria’s Federal Council Christine Schwarz-Fuchs and the Deputy Parliament Speaker Doina Gherman in Chisinau.

President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Austria Petra Bayr said that  the EU enlargement was not an act of charity, but a strategic choice to make Europe stronger.

“The resilience of the Moldovan democracy strengthens the entire Europe. Each time I return to Moldova, I see a country that continues to move forward, a society that truly believes in democracy, I see people who continue to choose the European future. Moldova has chosen democracy and has defended it under very difficult circumstances. Today, the country is at an important moment in its history. Moldova is no longer asking itself whether it belongs to the European space, but is proving to the European Union the firmness of its commitment,” said Petra Bayr.

Christine Schwarz-Fuchs, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federal Council, stressed that Austria is a stable partner of Moldova.

“Since 2004, Moldova has been a priority country for Austria’s external support, which has assisted such areas as education, water infrastructure, regional development, sustainable energy and vocational development. We have worked together for many years and we will continue to do so. I am also pleased to see that Austrian investments and support help strengthen economic partnership, resilience, and development, particularly through investments in infrastructure, the environment and sustainable development projects. Austria stays a good friend and a devoted partner of Moldova,” said Christine Schwarz-Fuchs.

For her part, Deputy Parliament Speaker Doina Gherman noted that the political dialogue between Chisinau and Vienna was strong and active, and Austria’s support for projects in our country was concrete, amounting to over 32 million euros invested in various rural development, green energy, infrastructure and other projects.

“Our colleagues from Austria have reconfirmed that their country remains a key supporter of our European path. We conveyed that we are ready for the opening of negotiations, and the June meeting of the EU Council could be a landmark moment for our EU accession process. We are counting on and relying on your support,” Doina Gherman emphasized.

The three heads of the foreign affairs committees today took part in the inauguration of the water treatment plant in the locality of Galesti, carried out with Austrian support, and visited more projects in the Straseni district.

The Austrian officials are paying a visit to Moldova on May 25–27. At the parliament, the Austrian MPs had meetings with Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, and Deputy Parliament Speaker, head of foreign affairs commission Doina Gherman, with whom they discussed political dialogue, Moldova’s EU accession, and the projects supported by Austria in Moldova. They are also due to hold talks with the head of the hair of the European integration commission, Marcel Spatari, as well as with the members of the commission.

On May 27, the Austrian parliamentarians will meet President Maia Sandu and with Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister Mihai Popsoi.

The visit’s agenda also includes visits to more projects implemented with the support of Austrian development cooperation, in partnership with the European Union. The Austrian delegation will also visit the Stefan Neaga Centre of Excellence in Arts Education and the Austrian School from Chisinau.