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President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso on Friday paid tribute to the investment made by Romania and by President Basescu in supporting Moldova on its European path, saying he intends to visit Moldova still in the first semester of the year.

At a joint press conference with Romania's President Traian Basescu, Barroso said the Moldova situation is not only a regional issue for Romania, but an issue of strategic relevance for Europe.

'I want to pay tribute to the investment made by Romania and by President Basescu in this matter. As you know, last November, at the Vilnius Eastern Partnership Summit, the commitment was made to sign the Association Agreement with Moldova as soon as possible. I am very pleased with the significant achievement that has been made to initial this Association Agreement. This is a very important signal we are sending. The Agreement will be a real breakthrough in terms of Moldova's European path. Together with European reforms, it will strengthen the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova,' said Barroso.

He added that he intends, following the invitation by the government of Moldova, to visit Moldova, still in the first semester of this year.

'I want to thank President Basescu for the very open and friendly conversation we had and for the analysis he gave of the very important challenges that his country, the region and Europe are facing. And I want to thank him in this occasion for the cooperation that you have been showing to the European Commission and to the European institutions in general,' said Barroso. Agerpres