European Union expects progress from Moldovan authorities

Chisinau, 27 November /MOLDPRES/ - The European Union expects Moldovan authorities to make progress in the judiciary reform, fighting corruption and carrying out the parliamentary polls transparently. Director General for the EU Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Christian Danielsson and Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia in the European External Action Service Thomas Mayr Harting, on an official visit to Chisinau, made statements to this effect today.      

According to the officials, it is necessary that the parliamentary elections, due on 24 February 2019, be organized in a reliable and transparent way. “This fact includes the ensuring of international monitoring and fair conditions for the opposition, including as regards the registration and mass media. EU will continue keeping a close eye on the all relevant aspects for the preparation and carrying out of the parliamentary polls in Moldova,” Christian Danielsson said.

The officials noted that the European bodies “want the impartial investigation of the bank fraud from 2014, recovery of the funds embezzled and those involved in the fraud should be called to account.” At the same time, the EU officials demanded “substantial involvement in the judicial reform, in order to guarantee the quality, transparency, impartiality and independence of the judicial system.”An important peculiarity is “combating corruption, including through ensuring an efficient implementation of the system of declaring assets as concerns all high-ranking actors,” the officials said.   

For his part, Thomas Mayr Harting reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to bring tangible benefits to Moldovan citizens. “The European Commission took the decision to substantially re-calibrate the financial assistance and redirect the support provided to projects which have a direct and positive impact on Moldova’s citizens,” Thomas Mayr Harting said.  

At a news conference, Prime Minister Pavel Filip said that he today discussed the Moldova-EU relations with European officials. “The government has fulfilled all commitments taken before the European Union. I do not want us to get back to the discussions on the macro-financial assistance and direct budgetary support, as we consider that we have fulfilled all conditions. For me, the declarations on providing support for citizens through direct projects and diminution of the financial assistance, as the money offered is not for the government, but for citizens, are confuse,” Filip said.     

During a visit to Chisinau, Director General for the EU Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Christian Danielsson and Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia in the European External Action Service Thomas Mayr Harting had meetings with President Igor Dodon and Prime Minister Pavel Filip. At the same time, the EU officials are to meet Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu, representatives of the opposition parties and civil society.