Ukraine and Moldova have signed a memorandum of cooperation aimed at strengthening efforts for integration and accession to the European Union, the Ukrainian government press service said.

The agreement, signed by Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishina and Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister Cristina Gerasimova, is aimed at strengthening cooperation in the accession process, Kyiv Independent reported.

It outlines key areas of cooperation, including EU enlargement negotiations, harmonisation of legislation, judicial reform and financial support.

The memorandum also promotes the exchange of knowledge and experience in the areas of democratic governance, economic policies and the fight against corruption.

"Despite the times of global turmoil, European integration remains a constant goal for our countries and we are ready to move towards it hand in hand," Stefanishina said.

An action plan will be developed to implement these initiatives through joint meetings, trainings and working groups.

Ukraine was granted EU candidate status in June 2022. The European Commission recommended opening accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova in November 2023, and the European Council agreed on this a month later.

Moldova is located between Ukraine and Romania, which is a member of the EU. As a candidate for EU membership, it is aiming for membership by 2030, but remains committed to its neutral status. Moldova does not intend to join NATO, but plans to strengthen its partnerships with various countries and international organizations to strengthen its defense capabilities. | BGNES