ISTANBUL 

Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi on Tuesday met top Romanian officials in Bucharest in what is his first working visit abroad since assuming office last week.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Popsoi held a meeting with Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, during which he appreciated Bucharest’s support in launching Moldova’s accession talks to the EU.

The EU decided to open accession negotiations with the former Soviet republics of Ukraine and Moldova in December.

Popsoi said he and Ciolacu also discussed Moldova’s progress in implementing the recommendations of the European Commission.

“Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu mentioned that Romania will provide the necessary support in advancing the reforms necessary for EU accession and reaffirmed the openness for a consolidated cooperation,” the statement said.

In a statement on X, Popsoi said he appreciated Ciolacu's openness for bilateral coordination at the governmental level, and that he noted the progress made between Moldova and Romania in energy, cross-border traffic and the construction of bridges between the two countries.

Popsoi also held talks with his counterpart ​​Luminita Odobescu, and the two agreed on deepening the bilateral strategic partnership and “the full exploitation of our common identity heritage."

"For the Republic of Moldova, the last few years have been a unique opportunity to transform positively and advance on the path of European integration. In this process, we benefited fully from the support of Romanian diplomacy, which has an essential role in our European journey - something for which we are extremely grateful," Popsoi said.

Popsoi took charge on Jan. 29 after his predecessor Nicu Popescu stepped down.