President of Slovenia receives Moldovan President
Ljubljana, 06/09/2004 | press release
On the invitation of Slovenian President Dr. Janez Drnovšek, the President of Moldova, Vladimir Voronin, is on a two-day official visit to Slovenia. In a morning meeting, the two leaders assessed the political and economic cooperation between Slovenia and Moldova, exchanged views regarding the incorporation of Moldova into the process of European integration, and in the light of the Slovenian presidency of the OSCE in 2005, they also touched upon the issue of the Pridnestr. Their assessment was that relations between the two countries were good and that they could further enhance their economic cooperation. President Voronin offered his congratulations on Slovenia’s accession to the European Union, and said that Moldova is striving to tread the same path as soon as possible, and that the experiences gained by Slovenia in this process were very welcome in Moldova. President Drnovšek expressed his support for Moldova on this path, and underlined that Slovenia would continue to share its experiences. To this end the meeting closed with the signing of an Agreement on Development Assistance between the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Moldova.
After their talks, President Drnovšek said in a press statement:
"I am delighted to be hosting today the President of the Republic of Moldova. I already met with President Voronin a short time ago in Romania at the meeting of Central European presidents. Now we have the opportunity to intensify our mutual relations and to discuss certain especially salient issues. In a short time Slovenia will take over the presidency of the OSCE, so we are preparing intensively for this task. Moldova is one of the countries with which we will be dealing specifically in this function. For this reason President Voronin and I have devoted considerable attention to the issue of the Pridnestr. He has familiarised me in detail with his views regarding the situation there, and I am therefore convinced that a profound and open discussion will help a great deal in the future, when Slovenia attempts to make its own contribution to the international community during its presidency of the OSCE, and ultimately to Moldova, so that this problem can be resolved. We also talked about our bilateral relations, which are very good. Economic cooperation is established to a certain point; trade amounts to around ten million dollars, which is not especially large, but it is a kind of basis on which to continue. Certain of our companies already have quite a strong presence in Moldova. In both countries we take the view that there are still many open possibilities for our cooperation in the economic sphere, as well as elsewhere, such as in tourism, to be further intensified in the future."
In answer to the question, how could the European Union contribute to resolving the Pridnestr issue, President Drnovšek stated:
"Slovenia will try to help Moldova, as far as it is able, to resolve the Pridnestr issue. We are aware that this is a very complex issue. There is no simple solution, far from that. A fair number of international institutions and factors are involved in seeking a solution, or rather, in this situation. Slovenia may therefore act in several directions. First and foremost as the presiding country of the OSCE, where we will try to be active, and to offer our services towards making some progress in that time. As a member of the European Union we will also be active in the framework of the Union, which is one of the players in the search for a solution. Ultimately, after Romania joins, Moldova will soon become a neighbouring country of the European Union, and this will be the direct vicinity of the Union. Both Slovenia and the Union will be interested in having the situation consolidated as much as possible, whereby we have the most stable situation possible in neighbouring countries. The European Union can make a European perspective possible for Moldova. Gradual approximation to the European Union, as we already said – in this, too, Slovenia can help with expert assistance, technical assistance, with its experiences and also through its influence within the Union itself. I would highlight especially that Slovenia can objectively contribute to resolving the Pridnestr issue in part because our relations with Russia are very good, because we are a member of the European Union and because we also enjoy very good relations with other countries – the USA, Romania and Ukraine. After all, it was precisely at Brdo Castle three years ago that American President Bush and Russian President Putin met for the first time. Something of that spirit has perhaps remained here, and could be directed towards seeking a solution to the Pridnestr problem."
In response to a question on a Stability Pact for Moldova, President Drnovšek stated:
"I spoke with President Voronin about a Stability Pact for Moldova. This is of course a very important initiative, and could contribute significantly to resolving the situation in Moldova. Ultimately this should involve all the main actors that can exert an influence on this. Slovenia supports this initiative, and I see that President Voronin also ascribes exceptional importance to this pact. This will in any event be one of the routes through which together we will attempt to operate in the future."