Ciocoi Is Confident the Autumn Eastern Partnership Summit Will Outline an Ambitious Concept

Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Aureliu Ciocoi took part in an online meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Visegrad Group and Eastern Partnership (EaP) member states. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration notes in a press release that the participants adopted a joint statement on the topics discussed during the meeting. The document will be published on the website of the organization, ipn.md reported. Aureliu Ciocoi supported the approach of focusing future goals on building resilience in five key areas: economy, good governance, environment, digital transformation, society. In addition, the head of Moldovan diplomacy reiterated his confidence that the Eastern Partnership summit, coming this fall, will outline a long-term ambitious concept that will take into account the European aspirations of the associated EaP participants. In this regard, the need to expand cooperation was once again emphasized, with special emphasis on opening additional opportunities for European integration for associated countries - the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine, the press service of the MFAEI notes. During the meeting on security issues, Aureliu Ciocoi spoke in favor of intensifying cooperation between the EU and Eastern partners interested both in the field of common security and defense policies and in strengthening cybersecurity and the ability to counter hybrid threats. The need to increase the role of the EU in resolving unresolved conflicts in the Eastern Partnership zone was reaffirmed. The event was attended by the foreign ministers of Portugal, Sweden and Finland, and high-ranking officials from European institutions. Discussions were devoted to both the prospects of the Eastern Partnership and various aspects of regional security.