EU - Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee satisfied with impact of Association Agreement's implementation

Chisinau, 22 May /MOLDPRES/ - A declaration and more recommendations were conveyed to the Moldovan authorities at the end of the fourth meeting of the EU – Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee today.  

In the declaration, the EU – Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee “expressed satisfaction with the impact of the implementation of the EU – Moldova Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), comprising the consolidation of EU’s position as principal trade partner of Moldova and adoption of the key reforms.”  

Also, the EU – Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee welcomed “the adoption of the National Action Plan 2017-2019 for the implementation of the Association Agreement and the annual  legislative programme for the implementation of the Association Agreement in 2017” and emphasized the fact that “the Association Agreement covers the entire territory of Moldova and is for the benefit of all residents.”  

At the same time, the document reiterates the importance of the fight against corruption, especially at the high level, the need of a deep reform of the justice system, making progress in criminal files, which followed  the publication of the results of the first phase of the Kroll investigation, importance of the transparency of the media property and ensuring the media pluralism, as well as the need to boost efforts, in order to find an efficient solution to the Transnistrian conflict settlement within the five-plus-two talks.

Attending the today’s meeting were MEPs and Moldovan lawmakers, with MP Mihai Ghimpu and MEP Andi Cristea acting as co-heads of the Parliamentary Association Committee.   

European MP Andi Cristea told a news conference that the sides today had managed to hold a constructive dialogue on more up-to-date subjects. “We discussed the economic cooperation and the trade between EU and Moldova, fight against corruption, reform of the judicial system, banking system, electoral reform, public administration reform, human rights and media freedom. We see better results against the previous years. Nevertheless, we expect the process of registration of progress be accelerated,” Andi Cristea said.   

At the same time, the MEP made several observations on the amendment of the electoral system. “It is important that the recommendations of the Venice Commission should be taken into consideration and the authorities should adopt a balanced decision. At the same time, I assure you that the postponing of the  macro-financial assistance for Moldova is a technical one, and after a final decision on the electoral reform is adopted, the financial assistance on behalf of EU will not be delayed,” Andi Cristea said.

For his part, MP Mihai Ghimpu said that the Moldovan authorities had once again confirmed the commitments earlier assumed before EU. “The key issue discussed today was the change of the Electoral Code; we will wait for the notification by the Venice Commission and will decide on the subsequent actions, as we have more commitments before the European Parliament. In general, we removed the arrears dealing with the process or reformation, we have concrete results; nevertheless, we still have to work in more sectors. Everybody has noticed that the laws have been adopted; yet, we face their implementation, which implies a more difficult process. In continuation, we will act based on a task notebook, so that the citizens feel the positive effect of the reforms,” Ghimpu said.    

The next meeting of the EU – Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee is to take place at the headquarters of the European Parliament next autumn.  

(Reporter A. Plitoc, editor L. Alcaza)