BUCHAREST, July 2 (Xinhua) -- The Romanian government will work to promote bilateral strategic partnership for the European integration of the Republic of Moldova, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila said on Tuesday.
"Romania will remain the most sincere supporter of Moldova's efforts on the European path," Dancila told a press conference on Tuesday after her meeting with visiting Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu.
"We have today sent a strong message encouraging the Republic of Moldova to continue with the European objectives and to implement the reforms assumed in the context of the Association Agreement with the European Union (EU)," said Dancila.
"We are ready to support the release of EU financial assistance to the Republic of Moldova and to provide bilateral expertise on a number of fronts," she added.
"Today's meeting has given us the opportunity for a substantive dialogue on the priorities of our bilateral relationship," she said, adding that "we have a solid foundation that we will build, especially as we have bilateral projects on all dimensions of economic and social life."
According to Dancila, her talks with Sandu clearly showed the common interest in advancing the multitude of bilateral projects, with a special focus on energy interconnection.
One of the subjects of strategic importance tackled regarded the implementation of joint projects in the energy sector, with emphasis on the completion of the construction and full putting into operation of the gas pipeline Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau, said Sandu, for her part, adding that "we reiterated the vital interest in completing the works on the entire site during 2020."
Another priority discussed at the meeting was focused on increasing the trade exchanges and mutual investments, she said.
Sandu is on an official visit to Bucharest Tuesday -- the first foreign visit that she pays after taking office. Moldova held parliamentary elections on Feb. 24. Sandu and her coalition government won the approval of the parliament on June 8 and took office on the same day.
