Brussels, 27/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - The president of Moldova, Vladimir Voronin, asked on Tuesday 27 May for EU member states to adopt, by the end of this year, the Commission's mandate for negotiating a new strengthened partnership agreement with this country. The agreement, which would replace the current partnership and cooperation agreement (PCA) would make Moldova's process of European integration “irreversible”, Mr Voronin said after the EU/Moldova cooperation Council held in Brussels. “Moldovan citizens want a European future in a stable and prosperous country”, he said. The representatives of the Slovenian Presidency and the European Commission welcomed the “remarkable progress” made in political and economic reforms, as well as the good implementation of the action plan on European neighbourhood policy. There is still, however, “a great deal to be done” mainly when it comes to combating corruption, and concerning the independence of the judiciary and improving the business climate, explained Hugues Mingarelli, from DG RELEX at the Commission. In his view, it is “premature” to speculate on the date when talks on a new agreement will be launched. It is, however, clear that the EU's attitude on this issue will depend “above all on the diligence and earnestness with which Moldovan authorities prepare and conduct parliamentary elections in spring 2009”, Mr Mingarelli said. The EU also welcomed Mr Voronin's personal effort to settle the conflict in the self-proclaimed Republic of Transnistria, and called for all issues to be discussed and resolved in “5+2” talks. This format includes Moldova, the Transnistrian authorities, Ukraine, Russia, the OSCE and, as observers, the EU and the United States. (H.B.)