Moldova wants to speed up entry into European Union

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Moldova's president said Friday he wants to speed up his country's entry to the European Union and said the political crisis that was sparked by violent riots was over. Vladimir Voronin was speaking after a visit to Moldova by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana to assess the situation. Voronin announced he wanted to speed up the treaties that Moldova needed to sign to join the bloc. "Moldova is trying to accelerate urgently the treaties with the EU so it can become a member," he said. Violent protests left two dead and 90 injured after students and opposition parties demonstrated saying the April 5 elections were rigged. The Communists won the elections with about 50 percent of the vote. Solana held talks in Chisinau with governing and opposition leaders. He said the EU may consider lifting visa restrictions for Moldova's 4.1 million citizens traveling to the EU.