Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca, European Council President Herman Van Rompuv and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso signed last week the Moldova-EU Association Agreement establishing a free trade area.

Heads of state and government from the 28 EU member states were in attendance and also signed the agreement.

"European integration will make us stronger," Leanca said.

Moldovan Parliament Speaker Igor Corman said he would propose to ratify the agreement in parliament this week. The legislative bodies from the 28 EU member states are expected to ratify the accord as well.

After the signing, Leanca held separate meetings with additional EU officials, including European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and Jean-Claude Juncker, the candidate of the European Popular Party for the office of European Commission president.

The Association Agreement, which includes the creation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, was initialed in Vilnius last autumn.