Moldovan speaker, European official broach anti-fraud issues

Chisinau, 27 October /MOLDPRES/- Fight against corruption in Moldova will be boosted and optimised. Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu made a statement to this effect at a today’s meeting with Director-General of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) Giovanni Kessler, the parliament’s communication and public relations department has reported.

The speaker referred to the legislative priorities of the autumn session, focused, first of all, on implementing the provisions of the Association Agreement, set in the legislative programme on meeting commitments assumed within the Moldova-EU Association Agreement for 2015-2016, including the synchronized actions by the parliament and government.

In the same context, the speaker noted that the working group for reforming and re-setting the anti-corruption system, made up also of representatives of the civil society, was to perform a radiography of all institutions empowered with responsibilities to fight corruption, in order to identify gaps and to come up with concrete proposals, including legislative ones, to improve the situation in this sector as soon as possible. At the same time, the parliament is to consider, in the second reading, the law on prosecution, meant to establish a solid system, with clear powers and to generate results expected by citizens.

For his part, Giovanni Kessler encouraged the authorities to efficiently fight corruption, by adopting comprehensive approach, including by preventing corruption and ensuring transparency of state institutions. The official welcomed the actions due to be taken. He highlighted importance of the full independence of institutions which were fighting corruption in their activity, as well as getting visible results, which would restore confidence of citizens in state institutions. Kessler said that delimitation of duties of relevant institutions, criteria for selection, appointment, promotion and remuneration of all those who prosecuted cases on corruption issues, as well as specialization of investigators, prosecutors and judges were crucial in this step.

Attending the event was also the head of the parliamentary commission for rules and immunities, co-head of the working group for reforming and re-launching anti-corruption system, Raisa Apolschii.

The Office investigates corruption and serious professional misconduct at level of European institutions, EU budget fraud cases and elaborates anti-fraud policy in the name of the European Commission.

(Editor M. Jantovan)