EU and Moldova launch top level dialogue about transports

EU and Moldova launched on Tuesday a high level dialogue about transports to strengthen relations amng all transport means and making progress together in obtaining durable and digital changes.   “EU-Moldova summit dialogue about transports will be important for the European project and for the pan-European connectivity. All that will deepen relations between EU and Moldova, as we make efforts in aaligning Moldova's and EU's transport efforts. By uniting transport experts and specialists from Moldova and EU, we will be able to prioritize future activityand establish where and how can EU support that,”said Adina Valean, the European commissioner for transports at a joint press conference held in Strasbourg, in the European Parliament, with the minister of infrastructure and regional development of Moldova, Andrei Spinu.   The European commissioner also said that “although this dialogue is not about ensuring financing, it will focus on identifying priorities and financing possibilities, being at the same time an instrument added to work formats about the negotiation process for Moldova's accession to EU.”   The first summit meeting is scheduled for February 19. The main topics on the agenda will be the future activity of improving transport links between EU and Moldova, alligned to EU standars, as well as continuous collaboraiton on solidarity to maintain goods coming from Moldova and Ukraine in circulation despite Russia's aggression war, according to a press release of the European Union.   “Although economic effects are positive, the growing product volume lays additional pressure on Moldova's infrastructure. I know from formal and informal talks with minister Spinu that Moldova is making huge efforts to modernize its transport network and I know she has made progress in this field. We, as Romanians, we remind with emotion th flower bridge, but it is time for steel and cement bridges with railway and roads over the Prut river. Maybe the symbolic train called Friendship, connecting Chisinau and Bucharest may win in the near future attributes such as efficiency and speed,”Valean added at the press conference.   In his turn, Andrei Spinu said that launching this summit dialogue in the field of transports is “a confirmation of the excellent collaboraiton between Moldov and EU in this sector.”   “Today's event also confirms that Moldova is making firm steps towards EU, and the transport field is a priority in this respect,” he said.   According to the Moldovan official, the EU support “was crucial in helping our country to surpass effects of the unjustified and inhuman war launched by Russia against Ukraine.”   Moldova is also an observing participant in the works of the Transport Community Treaty, which facilitates a broader European connectivity the European Commision mentions.