Statements by Moldovan PM, European Commissioner
19:01 | 06.11.2014 Category: Official
Chisinau, 6 November /MOLDPRES/- "I am here today, in order to confirm that the Moldovans may rely on EU." European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn made this statement at a today news conference held jointly with Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca, the government's communication and media relations department has reported.
Here are the officials' statements:
Prime Minister Iurie Leanca:
„Dear Mr. Commissioner,
Ladies and Gentlemen!
It is great a pleasure for me to welcome in Chisinau Commissioner Johannes Hahn. The significance of this visit - the first one Mr Hahn pays as Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations - is an extremely eloquent one. I am glad to find out that Moldova reconfirms its priority position on the EU's foreign policy agenda, which regards our region.
The support voiced by Commissioner Johannes Hahn for the priorities of our dialogue with the European Union is provided in a crucial stage - the one of implementation of the provisions of the Association Agreement and creation of the Free Trade Area. Or, the tempo and quality with which we will implement these understandings will be decisive for completing the process of European integration of Moldova and for its return to the great EU family.
In this context, we discussed the main reforms that we are to continue and even to speed them up immediately after the elections. Especially, we referred to the reforms in the area of justice and fighting corruption, economy modernisation and creation of new friendly conditions for the business environment, as well as developing the benefits of the Free Trade Area with EU.
I want to mention the very detailed discussion I had with the commissioner about everything that judicial reform and fighting corruption encompass. As you know, the European Commission, the European Union overall, assigns - as we do - a special and priority role to ending corruption and preparing all the prerequisites for this fight to be systemic and effective. To achieve this goal of reforming the justice system, the European Union gave us 60 million euros as a grant or donation. Today we discussed the details of what Moldova will do now and after the elections to this effect, and how we see the interaction with the European Commission and the European Union, so that the fight against corruption is more efficient and achieve this absolutely necessary objective for the Moldovan society. It would be a goal that would give Moldovans not only a sense, but also understanding that the state honours its commitments, that the state is fighting this scourge, that the state knows how to modernise its institutions. As such, we discussed this topic in detail and agreed to create a joint working group of experts to know exactly how to interact after the elections. I am convinced that the support of the European Commission in this area will be extremely important and beneficial for Moldova.
Today I signed with Commissioner Hahn a memorandum of understanding on the assistance the EU will provide to Moldova in 2014-2017. This document states that, depending on the quality, as well as the speed of reforms undertaken, Moldova will receive support of up to 410 million euros. Through this commitment, the Commission once again shows its attitude and willingness to offer financial resources and expertise to continue and speed up the modernisation of all state institutions, to transform Moldova into a more functional state.
At the same time, the Moldovan government commits to the fact that the reform accomplished here in Moldova be felt by the citizens. Through this commitment, to provide Moldova up to 410 million euros - and this money is not a loan, but a new donation representing budgetary support for various areas: agriculture and rural development, public administration reform - shows once again who the true friends of Moldova are, who not only say they wish us good, but also take action to this end.
We also signed with the commissioner a funding agreement to support the creation of the Free Trade Area, which provides assistance of 30 million euros from the European Union. At the same time, we agreed on the actions that we will jointly take to continue major projects of connecting our country to the European energy system and energy market or to the EU transport network. These will facilitate people to people contacts and EU-Moldova trade.
We also discussed the perspective of our relations - what we aim domestically as well as in relation with the European Union. Again, I want to welcome Commissioner Hahn's presence, who does not pay his first visit to Chisinau. He visited us in 2010 as Commissioner for Regional Development within the Commission led by Jose Manuel Barroso. Commissioner Hahn is also one of the initiators of the Danube initiative...
Today we discussed how we could apply the extremely favourable framework of this initiative - including in the education field, to improve the situation in universities in Moldova. So, Mr. Hahn is well acquainted with the realities in the region and I would venture to say that he is a good friend of Moldova.
Welcome to Chisinau, Johannes!”
Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn:
„Good afternoon,
Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, dear Iurie!
First of all, I would like to thank you for the invitation. This is my first mission as European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations. I promised the prime minister, back in last spring, that I will visit Moldova in autumn and, given that usually I try to fulfil my promises, today I am here and this is my first mission.
Moldova is a European country. The efforts to implement European values make it an important partner for the EU. Moldova is a leader in the Eastern Partnership. The more Moldova gets closer to the European Union, the more opportunities there are to embrace European values. Moldova will become more visible and tangible. Our joint work on the implementation of the Association Agreement will significantly contribute to Moldova's modernisation and improving the quality of life of all citizens. I think this is the most important goal, which deals with the satisfaction of citizens. The visa-free regime is an example of the achievements Moldova can get when it is driven by a coherent political force. The European Union fulfils its commitments to its partners.
I will refer to what Mr. prime minister has said – a closer cooperation at the university level. The students from Moldova may participate in the ERASMUS programme, the importance of which consists in possibility to study abroad, after which the students return home and work for the country and society.
The Free and Comprehensive Free Trade Area will create unprecedented opportunities for the companies from Moldova, including those from the Transnistrian region. The opportunities are valid for the trade partners of Moldova. I am sure that a combination reforms and the opportunities created by the Agreement will help the private sector transform the economy by creating jobs, orienting the private sector to the high-value sectors and will contribute to attracting investments. I have told this to the state’s president a bit earlier – the cooperation means not only discussions about the financial assistance or legal aspects; this means the economy’s growth, improving economic opportunities, because if a high level of competition is recorded, this will bring benefits to everybody, including the trade partners of Moldova.
That is why, it is very important to work for the subsequent development and development of the economy. What we signed today, just as Mr. Prime Minister said, is about a sum up to 410 million euros for the period 2014-2017, and in 2014 alone, the European Union took the commitment to provide 131 million euros as bilateral assistance for Moldova. Our major interest is that Moldova be a prosperous country. The European Union looks forward to the parliamentary elections be held fairly and transparently in Moldova.
We agree that it is necessary to continue the reforms, as the prime minister said. The corruption must be prevented and combated. You can attract foreign investors only if you reduce the corruption level and become more transparent, if you have a trustworthy financial system. We should work together on these things, discuss ways and means to back this and how can we help you in implementing an independent judicial system. The European Union looks forwards to a new stimulus in the key reforms following the elections. Today, I am here to confirm that the citizens of Moldova may rely on the European Union.”
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