PM Victor Ponta:

Good evening. I would like to officially welcome in Bucharest, Prime Minister Leanca. It is his first visit as Prime Minister but we met many other times in his previously official positions. I only want to say once again a thing that I have publicly announced, probably at few minutes after the vote in Parliament, that I am very glad that the Leanca Government received the confidence vote and has the Parliament’ support. The pro-European coalition from the Republic of Moldova has managed to ensure the government and I want to ensure a successful government until the end of mandate and further on. I want to express once again the total support that Romania extends to European integration efforts. The Vilnius Summit this autumn will be an extremely important moment and I am absolutely sure that for the Republic of Moldova, there will be the best decisions, and me, publicly, I am by all those in Romania, we are the most persuaded lawyers and promoters in Europe of the European integration process of the Republic of Moldova.
I have also discussed very concrete things because the relationship between Romania and Moldova should pass from the very beautiful statements stage, which did not lack for 23 years, to concrete things. I discussed again, and with well known efforts, I hope we advance as rapidly as possible, this year, with all energy connections; I speak about the gas pipeline, but also about the electricity connection line, also, about the other programmes in which Romania and the Republic of Moldova cooperate, either assistance or cross-border cooperation. I very much want our next meeting, not only as Prime Ministers but also in the joint Executive meeting formula, to include beside beautiful words and feelings, the concrete results of our collaboration.
I want to wish once again an easy mandate... it will not be easy for the Prime Minister Leancă, but a successful term and I want to rejoice together after the summit in Vilnius for the success achieved by the Republic of Moldova. Welcome once again and you are always welcome in Bucharest!
PM Iurie Leanca: Good evening, everyone! I'm really glad to be again in Bucharest, this time in another capacity, Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova. I want to mention that it is my first visit on the bilateral dimension, I make in this capacity, and I am grateful to the Prime Minister Ponta for the invitation, but not only for the invitation, but also for the extremely punctual and constructive discussions we had today and we will further have.
As the Prime Minister said, we discussed projects related to bilateral dialogue and you know that we have already achieved a mature partnership and very polyvalent, if I may say so, with different levels that we discuss and which will bring benefits for citizens, primarily from the Republic of Moldova and - I hope – to those from Romania. Of course we discussed all these projects he referred to, related primarily to interconnection, both those pertaining to energy interconnection, but also to establish some bridges that were destroyed during the Second World War. I am sure that the discussions we had today, very punctual, not only statements but also actions backing these statements, will allow that on August 27, when we celebrate in Chisinau the Independence Day, together with Prime Minister and in the presence of the EU Commissioner for energy, for us to be able to launch the construction of the gas pipeline Iasi – Ungheni. It will be a success again, first for the Republic of Moldova.
We have surely discussed about the European agenda of the Republic of Moldova, the objectives we set in the context of the Vilnius Summit, but we have also reviewed the situation after Vilnius. In Vilnius, a very important element, we aim at certain objectives related especially to the conclusion of the free trade agreement, association agreement, and I hope we achieve a new phase regarding the fulfillment of commitments related to visas, but the most important objective afterwards – to complete this process through signing, during the current European Commission’s mandate, and the mandate of Chisinau Parliament and Government. Surely, Romania’s support in this context is very, very important. Once again, I want to thank you for this very constructive tone, very punctual and rigorous, and I am sure it will allow us in a very near future, to speak about concrete steps for this dimension. Thank you once again for openness, hospitality and friendship.

Reporter
How do you comment the gesture of Edelweiss Foundation to award prize to the student from the Republic of Moldova who studies in Iasi, who succeeded in restraining that man who wanted to blow a bomb at the Iasi Faculty?

PM Victor Ponta
I admit that I have the information from you, at this moment, but I want to say - and perhaps Mr. Prime Minister Leancă had not had yet the time to receive all the information – yesterday, there was a totally exceptional situation, it could turn into the greatest tragedy in modern history of Romania. It was very close that the action of a person obviously mentally ill, lead to the deaths of perhaps 200 students in Iasi, where many students from the Republic of Moldova are studying. Now, I can only rejoice in the first place, it did not happen that tragedy and that two students, one from the Republic of Moldova, contributed to restraining that person. I want, through you, to thank them, and the teachers and others who have responded and to say, once again, I'm happy beyond this terrible event that could escalate, to continue the scholarship program – I refer to one of the main elements of collaboration - to have many scholarships and many students from the Republic of Moldova in Romania. The fact that it happened that a student from Romania and one from the Republic of Moldova, studying here, to be together in a totally exceptionally moment, is better.
PM Iurie Leanca:
I can only subscribe to PM Ponta’s words. Most important, really, is that this tragedy that could happen was avoided and that a student from the Republic of Moldova could help defuse the situation is only a matter of courage. I take this opportunity to congratulate him, to thank him and, of course, this element that one student is from Romania and other from the Republic of Moldova comes to show a symbolism that I know how to appreciate at its fair value.
PM Victor Ponta: Thank you very much. Good evening!
PM Iurie Leanca: Thank you. Good evening!