Blanar Speaks on Phone with Moldova's Deputy Premier for European Integration

Bratislava, 30 January (TASR) - Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) spoke on the phone with Cristina Gherasimov, Moldova's Vice-premier for European Integration, on Friday, the ministry's communications department has told TASR, adding that the call was initiated by the Moldovan side and followed up on the dialogue between Slovakia and Moldova in the area of foreign policy and European integration. The two sides praised the very good state of bilateral relations and confirmed their interest in continuing to develop them further at all high political levels. Blanar praised Moldova's significant progress in preparing for membership of the European Union, declaring that Slovakia continues to support Moldova in its European integration process. "The Slovak Republic remains a strong supporter of European Union enlargement on the basis of merit, which we consider to be a strategic investment in peace, security and prosperity in Europe, but the accession process must be without any shortcuts and with rules that are the same for everyone," he said. As part of discussions on the next steps in EU enlargement, the Slovak foreign minister praised Moldova's successful completion of the screening process and fulfilment of the conditions for opening six chapters in accordance with the European Commission's assessment. "Slovak experts will continue to provide technical assistance to Moldova in the accession process, especially in the areas of public finance management, auditing and access to the EU single market, as well as in the areas of statistics, protection of intellectual property rights, occupational safety, social dialogue and support for local media, building on existing cooperation," said Blanar. am/df