The eleventh meeting of the EU-Republic of Moldova Cooperation Council was held in Brussels today, 21.12.2009 chaired by Moldova's Prime Minister Vlad Filat and Sweden's State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Frank Belfrage representing the EU Presidency. Discussions at the meeting focused on the ongoing development of relations between the EU and the Republic of Moldova, political developments in Moldova and, over a working lunch, efforts to achieve a sustainable settlement of the frozen conflict regarding the Transnistrian region. The meeting adopted a Joint Statement. "This has been an important and productive meeting, coming at a time of significant positive dynamics in our relations. We have confirmed our intentions to start negotiations on an EU-Republic of Moldova Association Agreement on 12 January, and that we will strive to set up a dialogue with Moldova in 2010 to examine the conditions for visa-free travel as a long-term goal. We have of course also discussed the challenges facing Moldova, including in the fields of human rights, democracy and rule of law, as well as concerning the economy. We warmly welcome the clear commitments made by our Moldovan interlocutors", stated Mr Belfrage. "Moldova has been at the centre of EU attention during the Swedish Presidency, including a Ministerial Troika visit to Chisinau in mid-October and a visit of Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner in late November, so it is fitting that we more or less round up with this Cooperation Council." The EU delegation was led by Mr Belfrage and included the EU Special Representative for Moldova Dr Kálmán Mizsei, Deputy Director General Hugues Mingarelli from the Commission, and representatives of the incoming Spanish Presidency. Mr Filat was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Mr Iurie Leanca, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ms Natalia Gherman and others.  
http://www.se2009.eu/en/meetings_news/2009/12/21/cooperation_council_between_the_eu_and_moldova