Titus Corlatean highlights in Paris that R. Moldova is most performing among EaP countries

‘The dialogue provided an opinion exchange on the European Neighbourhood policy, the two Ministers evoking the progress of the states within the Eastern Partnership on the association agreements and underscored the importance of reaching some ambitious results within the summit of Vilnius this autumn. Minister Corlatean highlighted that the Republic of Moldova was the most performing among EaP countries, the meeting of Vilnius representing a great chance to provide a clear prospect to its European course,’ shows a Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) release.

The discussions focused on some current priorities of the European agenda, with a focus on the preparation of the European Council meeting of June 27-28, 2013. The two sides voiced their will concerning the intensification and strengthening of the bilateral dialogue on these topics, aimed at a better capitalisation and promotion of the common interests.

As concerns Romania’s accession to the Schengen area, Minister Corlatean voiced Romania’s legit expectation on a favourable decision making by the end of this year, given that all the conditions demanded by the European aquis had been fulfilled.

They also discussed the EU expansion with the states of the Western Balkans, a context in which the Romanian side reiterated the interest for setting a clear date for starting the negotiations with Serbia and the importance that the Romanian authorities continued to grant to the situation of Romanians living in this country.

The ministers reviewed the economic developments in the EU, Titus Corlatean highlighting our country’s interest in an active involvement of the EU member states not yet having adopted the single currency in the discussions connected with the evolutions in the Eurozone. At the same time, he underscored Romania’s support for the fast adoption of the multiannual financial framework 2014-2020, for an efficient implementing of European policies starting with 2014.

The discussions also aimed at the Roma people social inclusion topic, Minister Corlatean pointing out the absolute priority this matter represented to the Romanian authorities, saluting the French side’s approach, directed to cooperation and dialogue. He presented the results obtained in Romania on this topic in the area of education, health and employment, the two sides agreeing on the opportuneness of the sectoral dialogue on this topic.

On the same visit paid to Paris, the Romanian Minister participated, as main guest, in the debate organised by the French Institute for International Relations (IDRI), with the topic ‘Romania in the European Union: a contribution to the elaboration of the European project.’

Minister Corlatean pointed out the wide support the European project enjoyed in Romania, based on the sentiment of the authentic affiliation to the system of values and principles grounding the European Union. He evoked Romania’s contribution to the diversification of the European action, by promoting some themes such as the Danube Strategy, the cooperation in the Black Sea region, the vision on the Neighbourhood policy, with a focus on the eastern dimension, as well as on the European expansion and energy policies. The intervention highlighted Romania’s contribution to the current debates in the EU about overcoming the current challenges, such as the economic crisis, and about shaping up a highly integrated European project. AGERPRES