US Welcomes New Moldovan Government, Pledges Support for EU Integration

The United States will work with the new pro-European Union government in Moldova to integrate with the European bloc and looks forward to seeing quick action on necessary reforms for the benefit of the Moldovan people.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States will work with the new pro-European Union government in Moldova to integrate with the bloc and solve the conflict in Transnistria, US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a statement.

“We look forward to working with Prime Minister [Chiril] Gaburici and to seeing quick action on necessary reforms for the benefit of the Moldovan people, including the implementation of the EU Association Agreement as Moldova continues on its path of European integration,” the statement, issued on Thursday, said.

Moldova’s parliament approved on Wednesday a new pro-European Union government led by Gaburici after months of disagreement over political posts since the country’s November elections.

Psaki said the United States would “continue to seek a comprehensive and peaceful settlement to the Transnistria conflict, supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova with a special status for Transnistria.”

The Russian-speaking Transnistria region declared independence from Moldova in 1990, which was followed by a short war between March and July in 1992. Russian peacekeepers have maintained a presence in the breakaway Transnistria region since the end of the conflict.

A 2006 referendum in Transnistria showed the citizens backed joining Russia.

Moldova signed a European Union Association Agreement in June 2014 to further economic and political integration with the bloc.