Moldovan PM states law on voluntary declaration of property to be much tougher than in European states, USA

Chisinau, 25 August /MOLDPRES/ – The Law on voluntary declaration of property, recently adopted by the Moldovan Parliament, is much tougher than the ones applied in many European countries and USA. The statement was made by Prime Minister, Pavel Filip, in an interview to an international radio station.

The official dismissed the allegations which had been previously made related to this law. "The biggest speculation is that the billion stolen from the Moldovan banks will be washed now. I assure you that the prosecutors have advanced and I know all the ones involved and channels throughout which this money was earmarked. Similarly, the document states that no one which worked in those banks, none of state officials, from MPs to ministers, since 2009, can not benefit from this law. The ones to benefit can declare their money they have earned through non – payment of taxes. There is no way to get here for money which can not be justified," said Filip.

The PM qualified the accusations as speculation used by some politicians in election campaign. "This law is much tougher than the ones applied in many European countries and USA. It is an international practice existing in many states. It was observed to be much tougher, more demanding, so a number of categories of officials were excluded, which might benefit from it, and the declared money will be verified very strictly," said Pavel Filip.

The legislative changes to voluntary declaration of property are part of legislative package on tax reform, which was adopted by the Parliament on 26 July 2018. The documents are aimed at stimulating the business environment, increasing income of population, reducing shadow economy, envelope wages, tax evasion and undeclared income.

The amendments were published in the Official Journal of Moldova and come into force on 01 October 2018.

(Reporter A. Ciobanu, editor A. Raileanu)