During the meeting, Mr Putin and Mr Voronin discussed ways of enhancing the effectiveness of the CIS and the functioning of EurAsEC in which Moldova has observer status.
The expansion of Russia’s relations with Moldova as a CIS member is one of the priorities of Russian foreign policy, said President Putin after the talks.
Russia and Moldova are in agreement that the Transdnestr problem can be settled through negotiations and mediation by Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE. The negotiating process finally aims at determining a guaranteed status for Transdnestr while preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova. Mr Putin noted that this formula was of major, not simply declarative, importance for Russia, in line with Russia’s interest in turning Russia-Moldova bilateral cooperation into long-term strategic partnership.
At the talks, the Presidents discussed the two countries’ humanitarian and economic cooperation. President Putin spoke in favour of direct contacts between companies of the two countries.
Mr Voronin invited Mr Putin to make an official visit to Moldova.