Moldovan prime minister visits Kyiv for talks on trade, security and EU ties
Vasile Tofan arrived with three ministers for a working visit that includes meetings with Ukrainian leaders and participation in the Kyiv International Economic Forum.
By Marta Greco ·
Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan arrived in Kyiv on Monday, 26 October, for a working visit with an agenda covering bilateral relations, economic cooperation and regional security. His programme includes talks with Ukraine's senior leadership and participation in an economic forum alongside his Ukrainian counterpart.
The visit was reported by European Pravda, citing Moldovan media outlet Newsmaker, which referred to a statement from Moldova's government. Three members of Tofan's cabinet accompanied him to the Ukrainian capital: Vladimir Bolea, the minister of infrastructure and regional development, Defence Minister Anatolie Nosatîi and Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu.
According to the announced programme, Tofan is due to meet Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ruslan Stefanchuk, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament. These meetings form part of the working visit outlined by the Moldovan government.
The government said discussions between the two prime ministers would address ways to strengthen relations between their countries and develop economic and trade cooperation. Regional security and the paths of both Moldova and Ukraine towards the European Union are also among the subjects set out for their talks.
Tofan and Koretskyi are also scheduled to take part in the Kyiv International Economic Forum. The event is dedicated to investment opportunities and the development of economic cooperation, subjects that also feature in the agenda announced for the prime ministers' bilateral discussions.
Energy issues had already been the subject of contact between Tofan and Ukrainian officials earlier in October. On 14 October, Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal met the Moldovan prime minister. Their discussions covered common challenges in the energy sector, winter preparations and the development of cooperation between the two countries.
Two days before that meeting, on 12 October, Tofan said Moldova was considering buying natural gas from Ukraine to meet the country's needs. He said he intended to discuss the possibility during his forthcoming visit to Kyiv. The earlier statement identified gas purchases as an issue he wanted to raise on the trip.
Separately, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said her country was prepared to receive another influx of refugees from Ukraine if people began leaving because of the severe humanitarian situation. Her statement addressed Moldova's readiness to accept people should those departures occur.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda
