Statements by acting Moldovan premier at cabinet meeting from 1 July

Dear colleagues,

As you know, the runoff local polls took place in most Moldovan settlements to elect mayors on 28 June. This process implied a significant effort on behalf of the governmental structures, which have obligations stipulated by the law in such situations. I refer , first of all, to the staff of interior bodies, offices of recording and documentation of people, as well as to other colleagues. I would like to thank the aforementioned categories for the good thing they have done. We praise the efforts you have taken in order to ensure a normal climate for holding elections. We further have to take efforts, so that important processes for our citizens be implemented in a normal regime.

In continuation, I would like to shortly refer to the social and economic situation in Moldova. A few days ago, I requested Ministers Bride and Arapu to provide information on the matter. This information shows that, even if the conditions were not very friendly, we had an increase of over four per cent during the year. Progress was made in such important areas as industrial production, agricultural goods, long-term investments into material assets. At the same time, negative results also were recorded, such as increase of inflation, diminution of exports and imports.

Dear colleagues,

The resignation of the prime minister and postponement of the mission of the International Monetary Fund affected the state of macroeconomic indicators. In this situation, it is necessary that the central public administration authorities, ministries and other authorities temporarily suspend commitment of new expenses in the field of investments and purchasings of goods and services that are non-significant for budgetary activities and investments. I reiterate that, according to the art. 7 of the Law on government, the acting government fulfills only the management of public affairs and cannot propose legal initiatives to the parliament, including the rectification of the 2015 state budget  law.

At the same time, I highlight that the fiscal revenues of the state budget fully ensures and will further ensure the payment of salaries and social contributions. Also, all current expenses to ensure the work of budgetary authorities and institutions will also be financed. The commitments of state debt servicing are and will be fully financed.

Over the past days, one of the most important topics for discussion in society has been a possible increase in the electric energy rate. I deem it necessary to make an important specification: even if setting rates is not within the competence of the government, but of the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE), under parliamentary control, we will keep a close eye on the situation in the respective sector. Thus, I address a request to ANRE to daily submit information to this end. The government is confident in the Agency’s capacities to negotiate with suppliers; nevertheless, I underline that this is an extremely sensible topic for citizens and it is very important to use all present possibilities, in order to avoid a possible negative impact on residents.

The last issue I would like to emphasize is the marking of the first anniversary of the signing and ratification of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement by the parliament. On this occasion, I want to reiterate the authorities’ commitment to continue implementing it. The most telling achievements in this respect are increase by 10 per cent of Moldovan exports to EU, which made EU become the main trade partner of Moldova, active participation in EU programmes, efficient management of free movement regime. Enforcement of the Association Agreement and Free Trade Agreement, which are at the basis of the government’s action programme, is further the priority goal of government's activity.

(Editor A. Raileanu)