Ashton goes to Moldova, Ukraine to discuss Euro-integration prospects
CHISINAU. July 1 (Interfax) - EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton will pay a working visit to Chisinau and Kyiv next week, sources at the Moldovan Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry told Interfax on Monday.
They said the one-day visit to Chisinau would take place on July 9.
According to the preliminary program of the visit, Ashton will meet with Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti, Parliament Chairman Igor Corman, Prime Minister Iurie Leanca, Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Natalia Gherman and, possibly, with leaders of parliament factions.
Ashton will arrive in Chisinau shortly after noon and depart for Kyiv in the evening.
The main theme of her meetings in Moldova and Ukraine is cooperation in the Eastern Partnership program and European integration prospects of the two countries.
The European Union is expected to initial the Association Agreement with Moldova and sign a similar document with Ukraine at the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in November 2013.
Senior officials from Eastern Partnership member countries will visit Moldova next week to attend a European People's Party summit, which will be held in Chisinau for the first time ever on July 11.
"Moldova will have a very busy European agenda in the short-term prospect," the Moldovan Foreign Ministry said.
European Commissioner Stefan Fule will visit Chisinau in October before the Vilnius summit to participate in the first Civil Society Forum meeting held outside the EU borders.
European Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger will attend the ceremony, which starts the construction of the Ungheni-Yassy gas pipeline, on August 27, Moldova's Independence Day.
EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom will visit Chisinau in fall to discuss the progress of visa relaxation negotiations.
