Latvia pledges unwavering support for Moldova’s European integration

On 16 December 2020, political consultations in a video-conference format were held between Latvia and Moldova. The Republic of Latvia was represented by Jānis Mažeiks, Political Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Republic of Moldova was represented by Dumitru Socolan, State Secretary for Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.

Jānis Mažeiks expressed satisfaction with the positive bilateral cooperation, underlining the need for taking forward the political dialogue between Latvia and Moldova and working on intensification of mutual economic relations. The two countries should continue facilitating business contacts as well as cooperation in transit, logistics, IT, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. Jānis Mažeiks and Dumitru Socolan expressed hope that it will be possible to organize the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission along with a business forum in the autumn of 2021.

The officials discussed the developing relationship between the European Union and Moldova. Jānis Mažeiks expressed Latvia’s steady and consistent support for Moldova’s efforts to integrate more closely with the EU. Through the use of development cooperation policy instruments, Latvia will continue providing assistance and sharing expertise. Political Director Mažeiks underlined that at the same time it was important that Moldova pursue with determination the reforms it has launched.

The consultations also addressed the perspective of future cooperation as part of the Eastern Partnership, cooperation between Latvia and Moldova in international organisations, as well as questions on the regional security agenda.