In an exclusive interview with RFERL, Romanian Foreign Minister Adrian Cioroianu expressed Romania's wish to help Moldova tighten its ties with the European Union. Interviewed by RFE's Chisinau bureau chief Vasile Botnaru, Adrian Cioroianu said that Moldova's accession to the EU remained a priority of Bucharest's foreign policy in 2008.
"As a neighbour, as a friendly state that knows what it means to overcome the difficulties of transition, but also the advantages of a tighter relationship with the EU, Romania considers it its moral duty to maintain on the top of its agenda this problem of the Republic of Moldova as expressed by its citizens. We hope to see the wish of closer relations between Chisianu and Bruxelles expressed more distincly at the level of Moldovan central authorities".
RFERL asked Romanian Foreign minister if Romania's atitude towards Moldova had been criticized in Bruxelles.
"From Brussels' point of view, Romania's policy towards Moldova has been a correct one. Of course we have been asked questions about the number of cases of restored Romanian citizenship approved for Moldovans who had applied for it, or about the rhythm of issuing travel visas to Moldovans, because there had been some messages from Chisinau that unfortunately presented the situation in a highly exaggerated way. For the last 17 years, Romania has issued only 100 000 passports for Moldovans who had been Romanian citizens before the Second World War or for their descendents."
Romanian Foreign Minister announced on the other hand that the European Parliament had decided that soon Moldovans that already had a Schengen visa would not need a transit visa for Romania and two other EU countries, Bulgaria and Cyprus.
"As a neighbour, as a friendly state that knows what it means to overcome the difficulties of transition, but also the advantages of a tighter relationship with the EU, Romania considers it its moral duty to maintain on the top of its agenda this problem of the Republic of Moldova as expressed by its citizens. We hope to see the wish of closer relations between Chisianu and Bruxelles expressed more distincly at the level of Moldovan central authorities".
RFERL asked Romanian Foreign minister if Romania's atitude towards Moldova had been criticized in Bruxelles.
"From Brussels' point of view, Romania's policy towards Moldova has been a correct one. Of course we have been asked questions about the number of cases of restored Romanian citizenship approved for Moldovans who had applied for it, or about the rhythm of issuing travel visas to Moldovans, because there had been some messages from Chisinau that unfortunately presented the situation in a highly exaggerated way. For the last 17 years, Romania has issued only 100 000 passports for Moldovans who had been Romanian citizens before the Second World War or for their descendents."
Romanian Foreign Minister announced on the other hand that the European Parliament had decided that soon Moldovans that already had a Schengen visa would not need a transit visa for Romania and two other EU countries, Bulgaria and Cyprus.