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Construction on Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline could start on August 27 PMs Ponta, Leanca, Commissioner Oettinger attending
Construction on the Iasi-Ungheni natural gas pipeline could start on August 27, in the presence of Romania's Prime Minister Victor Ponta, Moldova's Prime Minister Iurie Leanca and European Commissioner for Energy Guenther Oettinger, Leanca told a joint press conference with Ponta on Tuesday in Bucharest.
Leanca said he discussed with Ponta projects related to bilateral cooperation, underscoring that Bucharest and Chisinau have already 'a mature, multi-purpose partnership at various levels,' to the benefit of the citizens of both countries.'
'We discussed energy interconnection as well as the rebuild of some bridges destroyed in WWII. I am convinced the talks we had today, focused on actual issues, not just statements but also actions supporting the statements, will make it possible on August 27, when Moldova celebrates its Independence Day, to start construction works on the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline, in the presence of the Romanian prime minister and the EU commissioner. This would be a success first of all for Moldova,' said Leanca.
About the European agenda of Moldova, he voiced his country's desideratum of signing an association agreement with the EU during the term in office of the incumbent Moldovan Government.
'We are aiming to reach some objectives in Vilnius that ate related to the initialling of a free trade agreement, the association agreement and I hope we will move on to the next stage in fulfilling the commitments related to visas, but the most important objective afterwards is finalising the process, signing the association agreement during the term in office of the current European Commission, incumbent Moldovan Parliament and Government,' Lenaca added.
Romania's support in this context is very important, said Leanca.
Ponta underscored in his turn the fact that the bilateral relations have to finally move on from vey beautiful and sentimental declarations that were aplenty over the past 23 years, to actual things.
'We discussed and I hope we will advance as soon as possible this year with all the connections in the energy area. I mean here the gas pipeline as well as the electricity connection grid. At the same time, I mean all the other programmes under which Romania and Moldova are cooperating, such as assistance and cross-border cooperation, and what I want most is for the following meeting not just of prime ministers but also of the members of the Government, to include, besides beautiful words and feelings some actual outcomes of our cooperation,' said Ponta.
This is the first visit of Leanca to Romania as Moldova's prime minister.