To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has held with the Government of Moldova on the possibility of accession to the European Union. (144086)

During my visit to Moldova in February, I made clear that the UK will continue to support Moldova’s European aspirations and encouraged them to fully implement the measures set out in the jointly agreed EU-Moldova Action Plan, launched in February 2005. The European Neighbourhood Policy offers many opportunities for Moldova to move closer to the EU. We do not see the European Neighbourhood Policy as an alternative to full EU membership, but as a path towards accession. We will continue to work closely with Moldova and help focus their efforts on implementing the Action Plan and its successor. Successful implementation will be important for Moldova in pressing their case for a closer relationship with the EU.

The Government welcome Moldova’s European aspirations and strongly support efforts to promote economic and political reforms, aimed at bringing Moldova closer in line with EU standards. The Re-uniting Europe Programme of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Global Opportunities Fund supports a number of capacity building projects to support these reforms, as do the Department for International Development through a £2.6 million assistance programme.