Minister for Foreign Affairs George Vella today continued his visit to Moldova where he participated in a Ministerial Meeting of the Group for the European Action of Moldova together with other European Union Foreign Ministers.

Moldova signed an Association Agreement that entails a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the European Union on 27 June this year against a backdrop of regional tensions resulting primarily from developments in Ukraine. Malta was among the first EU Member States to ratify the Association Agreement.

The meeting in the Moldovan capital Chisinau came as a manifestation of support by the EU of the reform process undertaken by the country and its closer integration with the European Union. In his intervention, Minister Vella reiterated Malta's support to the reforms presently underway in Moldova and its commitment to European values. He referred to the country's European aspirations and augured that following elections in November the momentum reached so far will be maintained.

During the visit, Minister Vella held bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister of Moldova Iurie Leanca, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Integration Natalia Gherman and the President of the Parliament Igor Corman.

Minister Vella also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Digital Government. This follows the signing of an Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and a Joint Declaration on European Integration signed in April 2014 during an official visit to Malta by Deputy Prime Minister Gherman.