The European Parliament paved the way for closer political and trade ties with Moldova on Thursday, defying Russian retaliation threats.

The pact, which was signed on June 27 and includes a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, is seen as a crucial step towards extending EU membership to the eastern European country.

Brussels' lead negotiator on the deal, MEP Petras Auštrevičius of Lithuania, congratulated the people of Moldova on what he called a "historic achievement." He dismissed Moscow's objections that the agreement infringes on the free trade zone it has established in the region.

"The association process is not a threat to Russia's political and economic interests, and it is truly regrettable that the Russian leadership wishes to regard it as such," said Auštrevičius.

The Kremlin has threatened to impose higher tariffs and stricter import inspections in retaliation for Moldova moving closer to the EU, contending that this would hurt its economic interests.

The small former Soviet republic got a taste of Moscow's wrath last year, when its wine was banned from Russian shelves - a step Russia insists was over quality issues, but was widely seen as a slap on the wrist for reaching out to Brussels.

Ukraine redux?

The deal comes amid sustained tension between the EU and Russia, which arose after a similar tug-of-war over neighboring Ukraine. The Cold War overtones of the past months also echoed in Thursday's vote, where conservative parliamentary leader Manfred Weber was one of 535 in favor of the deal.

"Today, we voted to give a helping hand to the citizens of Moldova and to show our solidarity in times of external pressure against the country," he said, alluding to Moscow's threats.

Parliament members called on Russia to "fully respect Moldova's territorial integrity and European choice."

"Today we embark on a new European future for Moldova and its people. There is no doubt that Moldova is a European country and a part of European culture," Auštrevičius said, adding, "we should not be a hostage of the past."

The association agreement must now be ratified by the governments of all 28 EU member states before it can go into effect.

pad/uhe (dpa, European Parliament)