Moldovan parliament speaker calls for US support in completing implementation of reforms

Chisinau, 1 April /MOLDPRES/ - Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu calls for U.S. support in completing the implementation of the agenda of reforms Moldova has assumed in its rapprochement with EU. The parliament speaker made statements to this effect during his meeting with Scott Cullinane and Naz Durakoglu, advisers in the Foreign Relations Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, the parliament's communication and public relations department has reported.

Candu highlighted the good cooperation relations between the Moldovan parliament and the U.S. Congress, also thanking the U.S. authorities for their support to Moldovan citizens. In the last 22 years, Moldova has benefited from U.S. financial assistance amounting to about 1.2 billion dollars.

The speaker reiterated the commitment of the Moldovan political class to continue implementing reforms to achieve the European goal of the country, including the provisions of the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. The parliament speaker mentioned that the pace of reforms to achieve the standard of living expected by citizens and development partners must be accelerated.

"A challenge the Chisinau authorities must face is crisis management in the banking system. Depending on the results of international investigations, we will decide on how to amend the legislation to avoid similar situations in the long run," said Andrian Candu.

At the same time, the parliament speaker expressed Moldova’s interest to be included as a beneficiary country of the Compact II programme of the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

The officials exchanged opinions on the political situation in the country, economic and social developments, legislative priorities and situation in the region. As for the situation in Transnistria and Gagauzia, Andrian Candu said that he wanted a permanent and constructive dialogue with the authorities in the region to find viable solutions in the interest of all citizens of Moldova. In this context, the parliament speaker stressed that, after today's meeting with the new governor of Gagauzia, Irina Vlah, he planned to discuss with Tiraspol-based Speaker of Supreme Council Mikhail Burla on the next week.

The American officials reiterated U.S. support for Moldova in enforcing the reforms and encouraged their further implementation.

Scott Cullinane and Naz Durakoglu are paying a visit to Moldova to become familiar with the political and economic developments in the regional context. The subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia of the U.S. House of Representatives plans to conduct hearings on the situation in Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia.

(Editor L. Alcaza)