Prime Minister Iurie Leanca met North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Parliamentary Assembly President Hugh Bayley, on a visit to Moldova. The two officials discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation within the Moldova-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) and the impact of the Ukrainian crisis on the security and stability in the region.
Prime Minister Iurie Leanca reviewed the priorities on Moldova’s European agenda and the reforms being implemented to advance the country's European course. In particular, Iurie Leanca said that Moldova promoted this modernisation course to provide European living standards to its citizens. "We do not only need financial support, but also expertise in achieving justice reforms, fighting corruption, modernising public institutions, economic and trade development, so that we could create more jobs", said Leanca. The prime minister thanked NATO for the project on the disposal of pesticides and dangerous chemicals in Moldova, with the support of NATO member and partner countries, for the benefit of citizens, so they could gain access to clean water and a soil free of pesticides. Hugh Bayley welcomed the European agenda and modernisation path promoted by Moldova and reforms in various fields undertaken to this effect. The official reiterated that the Alliance backed the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova and its efforts for a peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict. Hugh Bayley said that NATO respected the neutrality of Moldova, noting that the Alliance had excellent relations with neutral countries and there was no inconsistency between these partnerships and neutrality. EU and NATO are willing to further support the Moldovan authorities’ reform efforts. The delegation, led by Hugh Bayley also included NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) Vice-Presidents Daniel Bacquelaine and Karl Lamers, Secretary General David Hobbs, Director of the Science and Technology Committee Henrik Bliddal. Moldova has been an associate member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly since November 1994. More information on Moldova's cooperation with NATO can be found at: http://www.mfa.gov.md/nato-md/-.
