OREANDA-NEWS. Prime Minister Pavel Filip and Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu today chaired a joint meeting of the government and parliament, focused on Moldova’s European integration agenda.

Both the prime minister and parliament speaker stressed the special significance of the today’s meeting, which takes place in a historical day for Moldova – the day when the Moldova - European Union Association Agreement enters into force.   

On this occasion, prime minister congratulated all citizens. Pavel Filip highlighted that the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between Moldova and the European Union entered into force on 1 July 2016 as well. “We are in a historical moment for Moldova, the day then the Association Agreement with the European Union enters into force, after the preliminary phases were finished by the member states. This means, in fact, that Moldova makes one more step towards the European Union,” Pavel Filip said.

The prime minister also said that Moldova would not give up the European option, despite skeptical opinions in this respect. “We, the present government, know what we have to do, we have no reserve plans, we have a single plan, called the European Union, and we are equally resolute in fulfilling our commitment for reforms in Moldova,” Pavel Filip noted.   

The parliament speaker stressed the important of the day of 1 July for Moldova: “We experience a historical moment, maybe one of the most important ones since the declaration of independence. Starting from today, Moldova is not just a partner, but is associate state to the European Union.” Andrian Candu reiterated the parliament’s commitment to further focus on the carrying out of the European agenda, in close cooperation with the government.    

Both the prime minister and the parliament speaker highlighted the efficient cooperation between the government and parliament, with the cabinet members and lawmakers proving maximal mobilization and responsibility in fulfilling the commitments taken through the Roadmap. Till late July 2016, all provisions of this document are to be fully achieved and authorities are to switch to the second phase: enforcement of laws and normative acts approved within the Roadmap on priority reforms’ agenda.