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.
