Moldovan, European officials broach cooperation, reforms

Chisinau, 21 June /MOLDPRES/- On a working visit to Brussels, Prime Minister Pavel Filip held a meeting with President of the European Council Donald Tusk on 20 June. The main topics were related to the implementation of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement, reform process, EU macro-financial assistance for Moldova and draft law on amendment of electoral system, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.

“We will show a pragmatic, realistic and constructive approach. The good progress in the implementation of the Association Agreement and the fact we have recovered from some delays make us more ambitious, more demanding in achieving our goals at the European level”, Filip said.

The premier noted the importance of EU macro-financial assistance, continued budget support and relations with IMF. He requested not to be made a direct link between granting macro-financial assistance and changing the electoral system, as the government and the European Commission have met all preconditions. Filip said that the assistance is very important for Moldova, being strictly dedicated to the implementation of reforms.

In the context, the premier welcomed the approval of macrofinancial assistance in the Committee on International Trade of the European Parliament and voiced confidence in a positive decision in this context in the European parliament.

Referring to the recommendations by the Venice Commission on the draft amendment to the electoral system, the premier said that talks on the matter would take place and most of the recommendations would be taken into account in order to respect all democratic norms and to avoid any types of abuse in elections.

In another context, the premier approached the Eastern Partnership Summit on 24 November 2017 in Brussels, representing a platform to reaffirm unity and solidarity between the partner states and member states of the EU.

For his part, the European official welcomed Moldova’s constant commitment to the European project and encouraged the actions taken by the Moldovan government to guarantee its irreversibility.