BUCHAREST, April 14 (Xinhua) — Moldovan Parliament Speaker Igor Corman Monday thanked Romania and Czech Republic for their support in his country’s process to move closer to the European Union (EU).

“The visa-free regime and signing of the Association Agreement with EU, which we will achieve in 2014, are also due to the support of the two friend states,” Corman told a joint press conference after meeting in Chisinau with visiting President of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania Valeriu Stefan Zgonea and Chair of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Jan Hamacek.

It is important that Moldova takes over the experience of Romania and the Czech Republic in terms of the European integration process, so that the country more quickly gets closer to the European Union, stressed Corman.

Zgonea said that his visit, together with that of his Czech counterpart to Chisinau, represents a signal of support the two EU member states. He welcomed the finalizing of negotiations for the Association Agreement, which will include the free trade agreement and will be signed soon, as well as the completion of procedures regarding the visa-free regime for the Moldovan citizens, a decision that is to take effect in two weeks’ time.

“Romania will make effort to be the first EU member state that will ratify the Association Agreement with Moldova, after its signing,” Zgonea said.

On his part, Hamacek said that it is important that society be united regarding EU integration, pointing out as well that this political project does not mean breaking relations with Russia or CIS (the Commonwealth of Independent States) member states.