Prime Minister Vlad Filat today participated in the 14th meeting of the Moldova-European Union Cooperation Council, according to the government's communication and press relations department. Attending the event were more Moldovan ministers and European officials. The participants in the event analyzed the progress made by Moldova in the relation with the European Union, and set the goals for the next period. Following the meeting, Prime Minister Vlad Filat along with Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, President of the EU Council, head of the EU delegation Villy Sovndal and EU Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs gave a news conference. The European officials appreciated the dynamic of the evolution of the ties with the European Union and the headway made by Moldova since the last meeting of the Moldova-EU Cooperation Council, held in May 2011. Villy Sovndal welcomed Moldova's success in the process of adjusting to the democratic principles, stabilization of the democratic institutions, state based on the rule of law and ensuring a functional market economy. In this context, he informed about opportunities offered by the Eastern partnership, including on the multilateral dimension. "The European Union welcomes Moldova's commitment of political association and economic integration with the EU, and will continue backing the efforts and the carried out reforms to achieve this goal," Villy Sovndal said. Also, the European officials appreciated the progress made by Moldova in the Transnistrian conflict settlement process and encouraged the continuation of the dialogue. European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs congratulated Moldova on the signing of the Common Aviation Area Agreement between the European Union and its member states and Moldova, as well as the Agreement between the European Union and Moldova on the protection of geographical indications of agricultural products and foodstuffs. He noted that these two documents are very important. "Moldova has managed to do a lot of things in a very short period. You should know that your country will not be let to face challenges all by itself. We are beside you to help you improve the living standards of the Moldovan citizens," Andris Piebalgs said. The European commissioner for development emphasized that the participants in the today's meeting ruled to grant Moldova additional support worth 28 million euros within the Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument. The money is given for 2012, and represents a 30-per cent increase of the backing provided by the European Union via this instrument this year. Prime Minister Vlad Filat described the today's meeting of the Moldova-EU Cooperation Council as very productive. He said the participants in the event ascertained that, over the year that passed since the last meeting, Moldova had managed to advance considerably in all the sectors in the relations with the European Union. On this occasion, the prime minister praised the very good cooperation with the European External Action Service. At the same time, Filat thanked EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule for the support provided for the advancement of the Moldova-EU relations at sustained paces. The prime minister specified that the results achieved in the negotiation of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement were covered in the third progress report adopted at the meeting. Vlad Filat voiced hope that these talks will be completed till the next summit of the Eastern Partnership, due in September 2013. The participants in the meeting also unveiled a report on the fulfillment of all the conditions of the first legislative phase of the action plan on visas. "The agenda of the discussions also included evolutions in the process of implementing the reforms on strengthening democracy and state based on the rule of law, continuing the justice system reform, developing a market economy that is friendly for investments and sustained entrepreneurial activities, including under the aspect of identifying opportunities of interaction and cooperation with the European partners. The latter's support is particularly important for the accomplishment of Moldova's European integration," Vlad Filat added.