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Chisinau and Bucharest will make all efforts to capitalise at the shortest the 100-million-euro aid Romania offered to the Republic of Moldova, Romanian President Traian Basescu and Prime Minister Iurie Leanca agreed in Chisinau on Wednesday, when they also discussed the political situation in the Republic of Moldova and the common projects in economy and education.

Prime Minister Iurie Leanca underscored the importance of building Ungheni-Iasi gas pipeline, which would allow the diversification of the natural gas supply sources and the integration in the European energy market, and President Traian Basescu announced that the Romanian side would pay for the construction works from the 100-million-euro aid.

In the near future, there will be initiated viable projects, with a maximum visibility, for capitalising the non-refundable 100-million-euro aid Romania promised the Republic of Moldova as early as 2010, according to a release of the Government of Chisinau.

During the meeting, Iurie Leanca voiced his gratitude for the firm and constant support of the Romanian authorities in the attainment of the strategic objectives of the Republic of Moldova, namely the European agenda and the energy security. 'You have always proved a special attachment to the European future of the Republic of Moldova. I am pleased to find that our dialogue is a permanent, open and honest one,' Leanca said.

Moreover, Iurie Leanca addressed thanks to the Romanian Government for the generosity of providing 5,500 scholarships for the pupils and students of the Republic of Moldova. The officials reached the conclusion that for the coming school year the two countries should test the European mobility system. 'Besides the scholarships the Romanian state grants us, it would be good to also think of a system for those studying in our country. For instance, those studying Law or International Relations should be able to attend the courses of a similar faculty in Romania for half year,' Iurie Leanca pointed out.

Traian Basescu announced that, for the future university year, Romania would grant other 500 scholarships to Moldovan students, their number thus reaching 6,000.

During the meeting, the dignitaries also approached the topic of the European agenda of the Republic of Moldova. Traian Basescu mentioned that Romania would support the Republic of Moldova in the process of European integration, including within the Summit of Vilnius, to take place this autumn. Agerpres