Moldova's acting president to discuss relations with EU in Strasbourg

CHISINAU, March 3 (Itar-Tass) -- Moldova's acting President Marian
Lupu will make an official visit to Strasbourg to discuss relations with the European Union and the political situation in Moldova.
Lupu will arrive in Strasbourg at the invitation of Council of Europe Secretary-General Thorbjorn Jagland. He is scheduled to have talks with Venetian Commission Head Dzhanni Bukikkio, EU Commission for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg, and other officials.
Moldova, along with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, and Ukraine has been included in the Eastern Partnership programme aimed at facilitating political and economic integration with the EU.
At the same time, the Moldovan authorities have set an ambitious goal of liberalising the visa regime with the EU by the end of next year.
However Moldovan Foreign Ministry officials in charge of this programme are more reserved in making promises.
It was pointed out at the latest meeting of the standing parliamentary commission on foreign policy and European integration that the country has no money for the implementation of this programme and was waiting for financial assistance from the EU and other partners.
"The experience of other states shows that this will cost at least 39 million euros. We should bring our laws in line with European standards, then carry out a judicial reform, fight corruption, and ensure proper border management," Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration Natalia Gherman said.
The chairman of the parliamentary foreign policy commission, Igor
Korman, expressed concern about the ability to "carry out necessary
legislative reforms on time".