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Iurie Leanca: "European state's support to Moldova enables us to convince Brussels to open talks on visa liberalization"

Headlines

• "Moldova Azi" information portal is changing its format and editorial content, Centrul pentru Jurnalism Independent, 8 August 2011, 15:19
• Moldovan students queue up to apply for scholarships in Romania, Info-Prim Neo, 4 August 2011, 13:44
• Ukrainian scholarships not very popular in Moldova, Info-Prim Neo, 2 August 2011, 14:58
• Kent Larson: USAID will always support process of Moldova democratization, INFOTAG, 1 August 2011, 13:42
• Parliament sets up new commission - for checking civil servants' property and incomes, INFOTAG, 29 July 2011, 9:00
• Scandal in Moldovan parliament over deputies' relatives, INFOTAG, 29 July 2011, 9:00

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 Moldova's Foreign Minister Iurie Leanca informed about this after he had a meeting with his Italian counterpart Franco Frattini during a recent visit to Rome, Info-Prim Neo reports.

Quoting Franco Frattini, Iurie Leanca said Italy is ready to play a crucial role in promoting Moldova's European course. "We realize that we will have to make considerable effort at the internal level and to promote dynamic and coherent democracy so as to justify this declared support," the official said during a news conference on Thursday, November 26.

The Foreign Minister also said that the support offered by the EU member states to Moldova can be used as argument to convince Brussels and other capitals to start the talks on the liberalization of the visa regime.

Leanca stated that this dialogue will have two important aspects concerning Moldova's internal and foreign policy. "If we prove coherence and do not follow the example of the previous government, which said one thing, but did another, the dialogue will produce results," Leanca said, adding that at the foreign level Moldovan must become a credible country.

"We can do some of the things with our own forces, but we also need support for other things and we are open to receive this support from abroad."

Iurie Leanca said he might discuss the European Commission's assistance for the purpose with Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero Waldner, who is paying a visit to Moldova on November 26 and 27.

During his working visit to Italy, the minister had meetings with Moldovan citizens settled in Rome and Milan.

In the news conference, Iurie Leanca stressed that Moldova's bilateral relations between Romania, Ukraine and Russia returned to normality. "We decided to have a civilized, constructive and pragmatic dialogue from the very first day," the minister said.

Iurie Leanca also said that during December 1-2, he will be taking part in the OSCE Ministerial Meeting in Athens. He voiced hope that the meeting will end with the signing of a document on the regional conflicts that will also cover the developments in the Transnistrian dispute.