Moldova May Seek EU Integration With Ukraine

CHISINAU -- New Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat has told RFE/RL's Moldovan Service that Chisinau might seek "common action" with Kyiv in its efforts to join the European Union.

Moldova and Ukraine are among six former Soviet republics that have been promised closer ties with the 27-member bloc -- including broader EU market access and visa-free travel -- in exchange for economic and democratic reforms in an EU program called the Eastern Partnership.

Both countries have criticized the program, saying they want nothing less than full membership in the EU.

Filat told RFE/RL that the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), which will hold its summit in Chisinau this week, is "inefficient."

But he said the CIS provides a good framework in which to hold bilateral talks with other members, mainly Ukraine and Russia.

Filat, who came to power after a victory by a pro-Western coalition in the July 29 elections, rejected speculation that his government will seek NATO membership for Moldova, which is a neutral country.

But he said the "Moldovan people" will decide on the matter, hinting at the possibility of holding a referendum.