Moldova has notable achievements in implementing Moldova-EU Association Agreement, as well as drawbacks, premier says

Chisinau, 4 September /MOLDPRES/ - "The Activity Programme, the government’s Action Plan, the updated Action Plan, proves that our strategic goal is and remains European integration, despite some speculation on abandoning the European course". Prime Minister Valeriu Strelet made a statement to this effect at a press conference, marking one year since the implementation of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement, held today.

"One year after the implementation, we have notable achievements, but also a relatively small number of delays that are recoverable", said Valeriu Strelet. According to the prime minister, the start of the implementation of the Association Agreement and, in particular, of its component, the Free Trade Agreement with the European Union, in and of itself called for a sustained effort to create the implementation mechanism.

Among the successes achieved are: "visible growth of trade with the EU in this period and, in certain categories of products, a considerable increase". Export of table grapes and corn has increased fivefold, plum deliveries increased eightfold and apple deliveries - threefold.

"We also managed to effectively manage the visa-free regime, which was offered to us on 28 April 2014. No shortcomings were noted," the prime minister said. More than 15 per cent of legislative acts referred to in the context of the Association Agreement were transposed into national legislation.

The prime minister also referred to achievements in other areas, including trade facilitation, education. Moldova managed to be the first country in the Eastern Partnership to participate in European programmes, such as: Cosme and Horizon 2020 in the field of science.

Valeriu Strelet added that some of the actions planned for 2014 and the first half of 2015 had not been fully met. The areas in which shortcomings were noted are: the reform of the public administration, energy, environment and standardisation sectors. A set of laws relating to these areas have not yet been adopted.

Three sectors are rated as challenging by foreign partners: fight against corruption, justice reform and banking and financial stability.

"At one of the first meetings of the new government, we decided to review the Action Plan, paying particular attention to the challenging areas", the prime minister noted. Valeriu Strelet considered the new agenda of the government as a "very ambitious" one, by adjusting the previously approved action plan, which at times anticipated the provisions of the Association Agreement.

The Moldova - European Union Association Agreement was implemented on 1 September 2014.

(Reporter V. Bercu, Editor A. Raileanu)