Moldova, EU finish negotiation of general principles of Association Agreement

In the eighth round of the talks on the Association Agreement between Moldova and the EU, the sides finished discussions on the general principles, continued the negotiations on justice, freedom and security and exchanged information about the development of the negotiations on economic, sector and financial cooperation. The delegations also continued the preparations for launching the talks on the creation of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to a communiqué from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Moldova’s participation in the programs and agencies of the European Union was a separate subject included in the agenda at the suggestion of the Moldovan side. Both of the heads of the delegations of negotiators stressed that Moldova is a leader among the EU’s Eastern partners in this cooperation, which represents an additional opportunity for strengthening the cooperation with the EU. At the end of the talks, it was agreed that the sides will continue the consultations and negotiations through videoconferences until the next round of talks. The eighth round of talks was held in Chisinau on October 19. Moldova’s delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Natalia Gherman, who is the chief negotiator at the talks, while the EU’s delegation by Miroslav Lajcak, Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia at the European External Action Service and chief negotiator on behalf of the EU.