EU-Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee holds meeting in Moldovan capital

Chisinau, 22 May /MOLDPRES/ - MEPs and Moldovan lawmakers convened at the fourth meeting of the EU – Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee in Chisinau today.  

The event started with a speech by Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu and was moderated by the co-heads of the Parliamentary Association Committee, MP Mihai Ghimpu and MEP Andi Cristea.   

According to Candu, the priority No 1 for Moldova is the implementation of the Moldova – EU Association Agreement. “For 2017, we have approved an action plan of the parliament, which is extracted from the country Association Agreement Moldova – EU. The document provides for 111 actions, priority being the ones dealing with the reform of the financial and banking system, justice reform and fighting corruption. Also, I hope that we will soon manage our country becomes an independent state from the viewpoint of the energy resources as well. Another subject on Moldova’s political agenda is the change of the electoral system and I want to assure you that the expertise of the Venice Commission is very important for us,” Candu noted.  

MEP Andi Cristea said that Moldova remained on the list of EU’s priorities, stressing that subjects on the situation in Moldova had been discussed at the plenary session in Brussels last week. “It is obvious that, in certain fields, additional efforts are needed; yet, the European Parliament recognizes the government’s efforts and the fact that we discuss the offering of financing to Moldova proves this. Today, we will tackle more topics on the implementation of reforms and fighting corruption; discussions on the change of the electoral system will be on the agenda as well. We are confident that the Moldovan authorities will take a balanced decision on this subject,” Cristea said.   

The topics discussed at the meeting are focused on the present stage of implementation of the Association Agreement, as well as the macro-financial assistance provided to Moldova by EU. The MPs will also refer to reforms in the justice sector, fighting corruption, public administration, electoral sector, observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially the media freedom. The participants in the meeting will also exchanged opinions on the situation in the banking system, as well as concerning the cooperation with the civil society in implementing the reforms’ agenda.

At the end of the discussions, the members of the EU- Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee will adopt a final declaration, due to contain a string of recommendations addressed to the authorities of Moldova and European Commission.

EU- Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee holds meetings twice a year, alternately in Brussels and Chisinau.

( Reporter A. Zara, editor L. Alcaza)