Austrian Federal Minister of European and International Affairs Michael Spindelegger is on a working visit to Moldova as a result of the agreements reached within a last February visit to Vienna by Foreign and European Integration Minister Iurie Leanca.

At a today s meeting, the two ministers considered basic aspects of the Moldovan-Austrian cooperation, and agreed on the next actions to foster and deepen the bilateral relations. The sides stressed the similitude of the visions on the content of the joint steps which are to be undertaken. Special attention was paid to issues related to Moldova's European integration, given that Austria is one of the most active and convinced supporters of Moldova's European future. The ministers discussed ways of support which Austria may provide in the evolutions of the Moldova-EU dialogue on the liberalization of the visa regime and negotiation of the agreement on the creation of the Comprehensive and Deep Free Trade Zone. The sides spoke out for further deepening the political dialogue, as well as for boosting the economic collaboration, while taking into account Austria's great potential.

After the meeting, Iurie Leanca and Michael Spindelegger made press statements, and answered questions by journalists.

Iurie Leanca expressed the Moldovan authorities' gratitude for the "extremely constructive and extremely open" attitude which Austria has been showed towards Moldova during years, and especially after the Alliance for European Integration came to power. The visit by Minister Michael Spindelegger represents a logical continuation of both the meeting of the two countries' prime ministers in Budapest, on the occasion of the Danube Strategy's launch, and the already traditional contacts of the two foreign ministers. Iurie Leanca voiced confidence that, after this round of detailed discussions, the Austrian side will have a better understanding of the realities in Moldova, problems and challenges which the country is going to face. While assessing the friendly and constructive tone of the dialogue, the minister said that this state of spirit nourishes "inspiration and confidence in Moldova's European future."

For his part, Michael Spindelegger said that this new stage of the bilateral dialogue represents "an encouraging sign for Moldova's great European commitment, which is appreciated by all the European colleagues." The Austrian minister emphasized that "a lot of things have been accomplished in Moldova in a very short time, especially in the reforms field, and this tendency is much appreciated in Europe." The minister said that Austria is set to cooperate with Moldova as intensely as possible, so that "Moldova gets closer to the European Union as much as possible."