Prime Minister Iurie Leanca met with the new Head of the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) on April 23. Francesco Bastagli was appointed as Head of the EUBAM on 29 March, 2014. The two officials conferred on the joint projects implemented in Moldova and the prospects of developing cooperation, IPN reports, quoting a communiqué from the Government.

Francesco Bastagli said he was happy to be in Chisinau in such a significant moment when the Moldovans are granted a liberalized visa regime by the EU. He confirmed the readiness of the EUBAM to continue to support Moldova.

For his part, Iurie Leanca voiced hope that the cooperation will be as successful as possible. “The EUBAM plays an important role in our country and, owing to your experience, Moldova will follow a correct path,” he stated.

During almost eight years, the, EUBAM has provided border security assistance within the cooperation between the relevant services of Moldova and Ukraine.

A former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, between 2005 and 2006 Francesco Bastagli was Special Representative of Kofi Annan for Western Sahara. Prior to that he served as Deputy Head of the UN Mission in Kosovo (2002 -2005) and as UN Resident Coordinator in the Islamic Republic of Iran (1999-2002).