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European Parliament to vote on future of EU-Moldova agreement

The European Parliament notes that Moldova should first demonstrate its ability to adapt its legal and economic structures to European standards

STRASBOURG, September 15 (Itar-Tass) — The European Parliament will hold the final vote on a resolution on the future of the EU-Republic of Moldova Association Agreement on the final day of its plenary session on Thursday.

In the draft of recommendations the highest legislative body of the European Union urges the European Commissions to begin talks with Moldova on a number of issues, including the introduction of a free trade zone in order to assist the Republic’s full political and economic integration with the European Union. This will also attract more investments and will make the Moldovan economy more competitive.

However, the European Parliament notes that Moldova should first demonstrate its ability to adapt its legal and economic structures to European standards.

Strasbourg welcomed Moldova’s stable and gradual movement towards the Association Agreement in various spheres, including politics and security, energy cooperation and observation of human rights.

The first round of negotiations for the EU-Republic of Moldova Association Agreement was held in Chisinau in mid-January 2010. Prior to signing the agreement, Brussels and Chisinau should reach a final agreement on all the stipulations: the economic bloc and a free trade zone and the political bloc, which concerns issues related to a visa-free travel regime and improvement of the national legislation.

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