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EU, Moldova reaffirm ties after pro-Russian president elected

Moldova's presidential candidate Igor Dodon gestures during a press conference after the end of voting in Chisinau on November 13, 2016

Socialist Party leader Igor Dodon won hotly disputed polls last month in an East-West tug of war over the future of the Soviet-era satellite of just 3.5 million people, wedged between Romania and Ukraine.

Flanked by Moldovan Prime Minister Pavel Filip, EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn said close relations were "deeply rooted" in trade and cooperation, and Brussels was committed to helping Moldova push through political and economic reforms to benefit all its citizens.

Referring to Dodon's election, Hahn said: "We can already say today we will respect the final result ... and we look forward to cooperating with the new president."

He stressed that the 28-nation EU expected the government and the new president to continue the reform process and that the bloc would back such efforts.

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For his part, Filip said that "the citizens of Moldova have spoken ... now we need to get over this electoral period and start working."

Ties with the European Union were based on an association agreement which "is beneficial for our people. We are committed to its implementation and let there be no doubting that commitment," Filip told reporters through an interpreter.

He dismissed speculation that Moldova might change course, insisting and said any change of partners was "out of the question."

Moldova signed the EU association agreement in 2014 and half of its exports now go to the bloc.

Russia bitterly opposed the accord and responded with an embargo targeting Moldova's crucial agriculture sector.

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Dodon's victory coincided with a similar outcome in EU member Bulgaria, prompting concern Moscow was regaining influence in its Soviet era backyard.

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