Moldova hoping to begin EU accession talks by end of June - PM

CHISINAU. May 28 (Interfax) - The Moldovan government hopes to begin official EU accession talks by the end of June, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean said.

"The government will be ready with its homework done," Recean said at a press conference on Tuesday.

He said it was necessary "to inform citizens about the benefits of integration with the EU" and changes made by the government, as well as to urge them to take part in the EU integration referendum planned for October 20.

Moldovan Foreign Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popsoi said on Monday that the government was doing its best to ensure the soonest possible beginning of EU accession talks. He neither confirmed nor denied that June 25 could be the day of the possible start of the negotiations, as reported by Politico.

The Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union confirmed last week that it planned to begin EU accession talks with Moldova and Ukraine before the end of June. Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib made the statement at a meeting with Recean in Brussels.