Moldova's citizens are likely to benefit from a liberalised visa regime in several years, on condition that the country's reformation and modernisation are sped up. EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner made this statement at a news briefing in Chisinau today after her meeting with Prime Minister Vlad Filat.

We feel fresh air in the Moldova-EU relations, the European commissioner said, opening her speech. She voiced hope that the period of political instability will end once the head of state is elected. Benita Ferrero-Waldner expressed satisfaction with the fact that the new Moldovan government gives priority to the Moldovan-EU relations and that both sides are set to consolidate and foster this cooperation.

The EU representative said that the first round of talks on a new agreement within the Eastern Partnership will be held in Chisinau on 12 January 2010. The European official stressed that the document will imply the creation of a free trade zone. To this end, the EU will back the country with a package "of support for Moldova's democracy", and will provide four million dollars for parliamentary cooperation.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner said Moldova needs capital infusion, emphasizing that the European Union will come with a package of budgetary support worth 26.1 million euros for this purpose.

At the same time, the European commissioner said that Moldova's accession to the EU will depend on the country's abilities to carry out deep reforms and ensure its modernisation.

Referring to the possibility of liberalizing the visa regime for Moldova, the European official said that this could be achieved in several years.

As concerns the Transnistrian conflict, Benita Ferrero-Waldner said that it may be settled provided that stability reigns in both Transnistria and in Moldova. She launched an appeal to undertake steps to bolster confidence between the citizens of the two banks of the Dniestre.

For his part, Prime Minister Vlad Filat said that the new government has already taken a string of actions to implement the European values, laying the emphasis on the observance of human rights and freedoms. Filat described the issue as very important, as it was a taboo subject during the previous Communist government.

Filat thanked the European commissioner for her personal involvement and EU's support provided to Moldova.

The premier said that a meeting of the Moldova-EU Cooperation Council will be held on 21 December 2009, during which the negotiations on the liberalisation of the visa regime for Moldovans will start.

"Moldova is a European country, the Moldovan citizens are European citizens, and we should have access to the European values. I think that Moldova will become a full-fledged member of the European family very soon," Prime Minister Vlad Filat said at the end of his statement.