EU-Moldova Forum
launched
with the support of the European Partnership for Democracy
On
May 4, 2011, the EU-Moldova forum was officially launched with a
high-level seminar on EU-Moldova relations at the Residence Palace in
Brussels.
Among
the participants were a number of distinguished guests, including the
Prime Minister of Moldova, Mr. Vlad Filat, Moldova's Minister of
Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Mr. Iurie Leancă, Member
of the EPD's Board of Directors, Mr. Markus Meckel, former
President of the European Parliament and Chairman of the Kondrad
Adenauer Stiftung, Mr Hans-Gert Pöttering and the European External
Actions Service (EEAS) Managing Director for Russia, Eastern
Neighbourhood and the Western Balkans, Mr Miroslav Lajčák.
Participants
addressed current aspects of EU-Moldova relations, in addition to
reaffirming the importance of the forum. Comprising a network of
civil society, business communities, politicians and other
personalities, both from the EU and the Republic of Moldova, the
EU-Moldova forum should become an essential tool to support Moldova's
European integration. Drawing on the expertise of the various actors
involved, the forum foresees the organization of several
round-tables, seminars and workshops.
In
the hours before the official launch, a select group of top-notch
civil society representatives gathered to discuss some
of the most pressing issues
to be later addressed by their spokesperson, Mr Sorin Mereacre,
Director of the East Europe Foundation.
This
new initiative will become a discussion and knowledge-sharing
platform with regards to Moldova's European aspirations. With four
events scheduled for 2011, the launch of an official website, and the
participation of renowned EU and Moldovan
organisations,
this forum will innovatively contribute to EU-Moldova relations, in
addition to enabling further contacts between think-tanks and NGOs
from the EU and Moldova.