Moldovan speaker meets PACE co-rapporteurs

Chisinau, 14 May /MOLDPRES/- Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu today met co-rapporteurs of the monitoring commission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Lise Christoffersen and Piotr Wach, the parliament's communication and public relations department has reported.

The parliamentary agenda, legislative activity, domestic political developments and degree of implementation of obligations and commitments by Moldova towards the Council of Europe were the main issues of the discussion.

The speaker reiterated the Moldovan authorities' determination to continue European integration and implement the reforms agenda for country's modernisation. Candu highlighted the importance of adjusting the national legislation to the EU acquis.

"The parliament's legislative priorities are focused, first of all, on adoption of the law on Prosecution by the end of the spring session. Also, a draft law is under elaboration, meant to contribute to combating influence of foreign media, but which is not to limit freedom of expression," he said.

Candu also referred to the situation in southern autonomy of Gagauzia. He said that, in the nearest future, a special parliamentary commission would be set up to consider the status of Gagauzia, in the context of the constitutional provisions. The group's goal will be to ensure an institutional mechanism of permanent and constructive dialogue between Chisinau and Comrat and settle current problems, including in the context of implementing the Association Agreement with EU. The concept of work of the commission, elaborated along with development partners, is to be discussed in parliament on the next period. The parliamentary group will be made up of MPs of Moldovan parliament and Gagauzian People's Assembly (local legislative body), and representatives of development partners will be invited as observers.

The officials also approached the confidence building measures between the two banks of Dniester. Andrian Candu pointed out that the most effective measures to this end would be enforcement of the provisions of the Association Agreement with EU, including the Free Trade Zone in the Transnistrian region, after the expiration of the autonomous trade preferences beginning with 2016, education development, infrastructure modernisation and investments attraction.

"We see new ideas to re-launch the dialogue, at practical level ,between Chisinau, Comrat and Tiraspol. This is a new approach, we appreciate it. These ideas should bring results, which we wish you", Wach noted.

Lise Christoffersen and Piotr Wach pay a fact-collecting visit to Moldova on 13-16 May.

(Editor M. Jantovan)