LITHUANIA, December 10 - On 10 December, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė is on an official visit to Chisinau to meet with Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova Natalia Gavrilița, President Maia Sandu, and the Speaker of the Parliament Igor Grosu.

In her meeting with the Prime Minister of Moldova, Ingrida Šimonytė has expressed support for the reforms undertaken by the Moldovan Government and its aspiration to move closer towards the EU. The Prime Minister of Lithuania has emphasised that the implementation of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement, including its part on a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, also contributes to these ambitious goals.

The counterparts have also discussed areas, where Lithuania could step up its support for Moldova through shared expertise and closer inter-institutional cooperation, namely energy, reforming of justice and home affairs, anti-corruption, the environment, and others.

‘Lithuania remains a staunch supporter of Moldova’s European aspirations and reforms. We have taken a similarly difficult path to Europe, which has given us a number of lessons and a wealth of experience that we are now ready to share with Moldova,’ said the Prime Minister of Lithuania.

During the visit, the Lithuanian and Moldovan Deputy Foreign Ministers have signed a memorandum of understanding on strengthening Moldova’s institutional capacity and governance. Lithuania will provide 350 thousand euros for the implementation of this memorandum.

In her meeting with President of Moldova Maia Sandu, the Prime Minister has talked over the reforms, the regional security, co-operation with the EU, and the prospects of the Eastern Partnership policy in the context of the forthcoming Eastern Partnership Summit. Ingrida Šimonytė has welcomed Moldova’s ambitious attitude as regards the future of this policy, while encouraging to continue the joint efforts between Moldova, Ukraine and Sakartvelo towards closer dialogue with the EU.

‘I hope that the energy of the three associated partners, the concrete results of the reforms, will be what will keep the whole region oriented towards Europe’, said the Prime Minister.

In her meeting with Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament Igor Grosu, Ingrida Šimonytė once again has thanked the Moldovan Parliament for having been the first to recognise the restoration of the independent state of Lithuania 30 years ago. The Prime Minister pointed out the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in gaining international support for Moldova’s reform processes.

Today, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė is also planning to join discussion with Lithuanian experts working in Moldova and to open an honorary consulate of the Republic of Lithuania.