Moldova Prime Minister Says European Commitment to Benefit Relations With Russia

By The Associated Press

June 24, 2014

Despite protests from Moscow, Moldova's prime minister says he believes his firm pro-European stance will benefit the country's relations with both the West and Russia in the long term.

Iurie Leanca said that Moldova's entry into an association agreement with the European Union on Friday will make it a "more predictable country which is good for our partners in the West and … in the East."

He said his government had been clear it intended to move closer to the EU since 2009 when it came to power, unlike the former government in Ukraine which backed out of a decision to sign the same agreement in November.

In the past, Russia has taken punitive trade measures against neighboring Baltic states and Ukraine as those countries sought closer ties with the West.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue