The European Union and Moldova have reaffirmed their strategic partnership and commitment to Moldova’s EU accession at the 10th EU-Moldova Association Council in Brussels.

Axar.az reports, citing the EU Council, that the EU welcomed Moldova’s progress in reforms and the recent opening of accession clusters on fundamentals and external relations, saying the country is moving decisively toward EU membership.

The European Commission also announced the disbursement of €157 million to Moldova under the Reform and Growth Facility after the country completed 18 reforms. Total performance-based EU funding paid to Moldova under the facility has now reached around €661 million.

Both sides welcomed closer cooperation in security, energy and economic integration, including Moldova’s participation in the Single Euro Payments Area, Common Transit Convention and EU “Roam-Like-At-Home” arrangements.