Moldova makes progress, more reforms necessary, Latvia's foreign affairs minister says

Chisinau, 27 April /MOLDPRES/ - Moldova has made significant progress on the way of rapprochement with the European Union in the last time; yet, we want more reforms in the justice sector and combating corruption. Latvia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs today made statements to this effect in Chisinau, in the context of hosting by Moldova of a visit by the foreign affairs ministers in the NB8 (Nordic-Baltic Eight) format: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. 
The Latvian official said that his country would support Moldova’s European integration. ‘’Today, we discussed in Chisinau ways through which we might provide assistance in the reformation process. We want in Moldova more reforms in the justice sector, in combating corruption, in governance and in other sectors. We have already taken note of the huge progress you made. We hope that the EU member states will be able to back the starting of the negotiations on accession. We discussed the regional cooperation. We admire Moldova for the fact that it has managed to cope with more crises and that it has energy to move forward,’’ Edgars Rinkēvičs said.     
Foreign Affairs Minister of Estonia Margus Tsahkna gave assurances that his country would continue providing firm support to Moldova. ‘’I welcome the commitment of the Moldovan political leaders. The last several months have been quite important for Moldova. You enjoy firm political support and you found your way about in what you have done so far. I admire Moldova’s resilience to the hybrid attacks,’’ the Estonian official noted.     
Lithuanian Foreign Affairs Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis emphasized that Moldova’s partners were ready to provide support, so that the country prepares for the requirements of accession to EU as quickly as possible. ‘’Moldova is subjected to pressures because of the war in Ukraine. We are here to help. There are pressures, but you quite seriously start a string of important reforms. We are ready to provide support in concrete things, so that Moldova prepares for the requirements of accession to EU as quickly as possible,’’ Gabrielius Landsbergis said.    
Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Nicu Popescu said the visit hosted by Chisinau represented a gesture of support for Moldova and this allows the advancement of the dialogue between the states. ‘’The event fits into the efforts and our wish to deepen the cooperation between our countries, both bilaterally and in the context of the process of accession to EU. In Moldova, we must cope with more threats and negative consequences triggered by the war. We should cope with hybrid threats and attempts of destabilization of the security situation; yet, the authorities are and will be able to counteract these attempts and we will continue ensuring the peace, calm and security of the citizens,’’ Nicu Popescu added.      
The Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry on 27-28 April hosts a visit by the foreign affairs ministers from the NB8 format: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden.