OREANDA-NEWS. November 20, 2013. This was announced by the chairman of European Council after the meeting with the Prime Minister Iurie Leanca in Brussels confirming the European Union's readiness to prepare signature of this agreement by autumn of 2014.

He thanked Prime Minister Iurie Leanca for Moldova's constructive role in the Eastern Partnership, which has proved to be an efficient framework for advancing bilateral relations. The EC chairman also expressed hope that initialing this agreement will send a strong and positive message.

He also underlined that the current political stability in Chisinau offers a new opportunity to advance indispensable reforms and focus on concrete deliverables for the Moldovan population. “It is important to communicate more to the citizens - on both sides of the Nistru River - about the benefits of EU-Moldova cooperation and the future Association Agreement”- he said.

He also added that their impact is, and will be, positive and beneficial to all: stronger human rights protection, guarantees for minorities, closer and more people-to-people contacts, more economic growth and more jobs.