On 3 May, Moldova-EU consultations in the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) started at the headquarters of the Foreign and European Integration Ministry (MAEIE), Moldpress reported, citing the MAEIE information and media communication service.
The Moldovan delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign and European Integration Minister Natalia Gherman, accompanied by a working group for co-operation with the EU in the CSDP area. The EU delegation is led by the head of the partnership and agreements policy division, European External Service Action, Timothy Clarke.
The working visit was part of the dialogue between Moldova and European partners (General Secretariat of the EU Council and EU member states), as well as of the high-level correspondence between the Moldovan prime minister and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in the context of preparations for launching collaboration with the EU in the CSDP sector. Setting a framework of Moldova's participation in the EU's CSDP is a priority included in the Moldovan cabinet's action programme "European Integration: Freedom, Democracy, Well-being" for 2011-2014, in line with the Moldovan national security strategy and a commitment assumed within the EU-Moldova Association Agreement.
The working group members presented the main evolutions in the preparations for launching the negotiations on a framework agreement on cooperation with the EU in the CSDP. This accord will establish the framework and conditions for Moldova's future participation in the EU's crisis management operations.
At the same time, within the visit, the EU delegation had meetings at the Defence Ministry, the parliamentary commission for foreign relations and European integration, as well as with representatives of the civil society and experts.