Prime Minister Iurie Leanca met German Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office Michael Roth on 31 August evening. 

The officials discussed Moldova's European agenda, in particular speeding up reforms in the justice sector, challenges faced by agriculture as a result of the sanctions imposed by Russia on the import of Moldovan fruits and vegetables, as well as the situation in the region.

Iurie Leanca thanked the German official for his visit to Moldova, stressing that this was a sign of solidarity and support for Moldova.

Iurie Leanca also referred to the situation faced by Moldovan farmers in the wake of the restrictions put by Russia. "It is important to find new markets and to improve the quality standards in agriculture," said the premier.

For his part, Michel Roth said Germany fully backed Moldova's European commitment. "You are not alone, Moldova belongs to and is a part of Europe," said the German official.

The German minister of state said the ratification of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement was a first step and that the second one would be its implementation by continuing the reforms agenda. The German diplomat noted that Moldova had Berlin’s support to speed up reforms in the justice sector.

At the end, the two officials discussed the situation in Ukraine and concluded that dialogue was the only way to resolve the crisis in the neighbouring country, exclusively by peaceful means.