United States to further back Moldova in strengthening rule of law state, business environment development

Chisinau, 8 May /MOLDPRES/- The United States will continue to back Moldova in strengthening the rule of law state and developing the business environment. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews made the statement at a meeting with Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu today, the parliament's communication and public relations department has reported.

"We will offer you every support in the country's development, as we want to see Moldova as a successful, strong and prosperous country", the official said. He encouraged the Moldovan authorities to continue the agenda of reforms.

Candu thanked the American authorities for the important support offered to Moldova, including via different development programmes. Over the last 22 years, Moldova benefitted from financial assistance from the USA amounting to about 1.2 billion dollars, including 20.66 million dollars in 2014.

The speaker said that the justice reform, development of the rule of law state and fight against corruption represented main goals for the Moldovan authorities, and their fulfilment would contribute to creating an attractive business environment for investors. "There is a political will, which, joined with the support of development partners and enforcement of provisions of the Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, will help us to improve the Moldovan business environment and investment climate", Candu said.

Candu also touched upon the importance of amending and completing the legal framework in order to improve the business climate and create favorable conditions for development of business. The speaker said that he was set to discuss and approve the new law on prosecution, amendments to the banking legislation, energy system and justice sectors, as legislative priorities, by late spring session.

The speaker reiterated Moldova's interest to be included as a beneficiary country of the Compact II Programme on behalf of the Millennium Challenges Corporation.

Bruce Andrews has paid a two-day visit to Moldova.

(Editor A. Răileanu)