EU expects intensive cooperation with Moldova's new government

The European Union on Thursday congratulated Valeriu Strelet on his appointment as the prime minister of the Republic of Moldova, saying it looked forward to intensive cooperation with the new government.

According to a statement of a spokesperson with the European External Action Service, the EU side also called on Moldova's new government to put more efforts on reforms.

It said that carrying out key reforms with new determination will be "essential to live up to the expectations of the people of Moldova". In particular, the reform of the justice sector and the fight against corruption need real decisive action. It will be, moreover, crucial for the new government to act resolutely on the serious crisis in the banking sector.

The EU-Moldova Association Agreement, including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, will "only be able to unfold its full benefits to all citizens if Moldova lives up to its reform commitments," said the statement.

The Moldovan Parliament earlier on Thursday approved the new three-party cabinet headed by Valeriu Strelet, member of parliament from the Liberal Democratic Party, the largest party in the coalition.

The statement also said that the EU "remains committed to working with the new government towards a comprehensive, peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova with a special status for Transnistria."

Transnistria, a breakaway region of Moldova, declared "independence" in 1990, but remains unrecognized by any United Nations member state.