Moldovan, European officials broach reforms, cooperation

Chisinau, 27 March /MOLDPRES/- Prime Minister Pavel Filip had a meeting with Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia in the European External Action Service Thomas Mayr-Harting on 26 March. The officials discussed the internal developments and achievements in meeting commitments assumed by Moldova in its European integration, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.

The premier appreciated the supported for implementing the reforms in Moldova and pointed out the good results of cooperation in carrying out the roadmap. “This document served as a good instrument in carrying out reforms and returning confidence of foreign partners. The actions on the Audiovisual Code and adopting the law on integrity in the second reading remain still on the agenda. These and a number of reforms, such as the public administration or pension system are among the government’s priorities”, he said.

In the context, the premier referred to the EU Report on implementation of the Association Agenda, in perspective of the EU-Moldova Association Council, due in Brussels on 31 March. Filip noted that the report finds progress made in 2016, and there are chapters which require more efforts, and the EU assistance in this regard, including macro-financial support, is very important. Among the priority areas can be found improving business climate, fighting corruption and ensuring independence of justice.

For his part, Thomas Mayr-Harting said that adopting the laws on justice reform was very important step, and now efforts were needed to implement it. “It requires a stepwise process, a clear view of the time needed to reform the entire system, clear rules for selecting and appointing new judges”, he said. In the context, Filip assured that implementation of the package of laws would be accelerated and many of recommendations of the EU Mission on assessing justice reform are found in the National Integrity and Anticorruption Strategy for 2017-2020, recently approved by the cabinet.

Another important topic was related to the Transnistrian conflict settlement. In this context, the premier underlined the importance of a common vision in solving the conflict.

“We consider it is important to start discussions on political issues in “basket three” of the agenda of negotiations in the 5+2 format, given that what we refer to the policy of small steps and confidence building measures must have as purpose the Transnistrian conflict settlement and reunification of the two banks of the Dniestre”, Filip concluded.