ATHENS

Italy and Moldova took a significant step forward in their bilateral relations by elevating them to a strategic partnership on Friday.

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and visiting Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu signed a Joint Declaration of Strategic Partnership, which advances the level of bilateral relations, said the Italian Foreign Ministry in a statement.

Tajani also reiterated Italy's support for Moldova's EU integration path and expressed hope that the accession negotiations would start as soon as possible.

He also highlighted that bilateral trade volume is growing as manifested by the record level of %38 increase in 2022.

Popescu, for his part, stressed that his country wants to attract more Italian investment, especially in the field of renewable energy, according to a statement by the Moldovan Foreign Ministry on the two ministers’ meeting in Rome.

"We want to be a factor of stability in the region, and our participation in peacekeeping operations in both Europe, the Middle East, and Africa is an expression of this commitment," he added.