CHISINAU, August 22 (Itar-Tass) — The Trans-Dniester issue and expansion of Moldova's bilateral contacts and relations with the European Union will be at the center of attention here on Wednesday during German Chancellor Angela Merkel's upcoming visit here. A Moldovan government official told journalists that the programme for the visit would be hard-driving, for it is intended for only four hours.

Merkel is to arrive in Chisinau by air at 14:35, local time for a meeting with Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti, Prime Minister Vlad Filat, as well as the leaders of parliament factions. She is to attend a plenary session of government delegations and meet with members of the business community. In the evening Merkel will return to Germany.