Moldova registers poor progress in more areas in 2014 - EU report

Chisinau, 30 March /MOLDPRES/ - Moldova made poor progress in crucial sectors, such as the justice reform, fighting corruption, media freedom and transparency of the banking sector, in 2014. The conclusions are included in the progress report on the implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy. Head of EU Delegation to Moldova, Ambassador Pirkka Tapiola presented the report in Chisinau today.

According to the official, Moldova registered less progress than in previous years in terms of comprehensive democratisation and human rights. At the same time, the reform of the Prosecution stalled. Pirkka Tapiola added that the European Union was also concerned about the problems in the banking system. "The EU support programmes are jeopardised ,if the banking sector problems are not solved", said the ambassador.

Pirkka Tapiola also noted that minimal progress was achieved in the Transnistrian conflict settlement. And this given that only two rounds of five-plus-two negotiations were held and more rounds were postponed in 2014.

Under these circumstances, the authors of the report made more recommendations to the Chisinau-based authorities. Among the, there are revision of the Constitution to prevent any institutional blockages, combating corruption, reforming the justice system and, implicitly, the Prosecution, pressing ahead with the reform of the legal framework on elections and maintaining the dialogue between the two banks of Dniester, “in order to create conditions for the implementation of the Association Agreement with EU on all the territory of Moldova.” The EU also recommends "eliminating errors which presently allow money laundering activities and raider attacks, improving the business environment and combating shadow economy."

Each year, the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy publishes progress reports evaluating the progress made by different countries that have signed action plans and agendas of association with the EU.

(Reporter N. Sandu, Editor A. Raileanu)