Moldovan president says Council of Europe was, continues to be reliable partner for Moldova

Chisinau, 13 July /MOLDPRES/ - President Igor Dodon today conveyed a message on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Moldova’s accession to the Council of Europe, the presidential press service has reported.  

The message reads: 

„Exactly 25 years ago, on 13 July 1995, Moldova signed, in Strasbourg, the documents on accession to the Council of Europe, officially becoming a full-fledged member of the Organization. On this period, the Council of Europe has been and continues to be a reliable partner for our country, substantially contributing to the creation and strengthening of the rule of law state, democracy and human rights.  

Meanwhile, Moldova has ratified 92 Council of Europe conventions, which represented a strong impetus for adjusting the national legislation to the European standards and creation of new democratic institutions, as well as for the qualitative  influencing of our citizens’ living.  

The today’s event gives us occasion to review the achievements of the present partnership, which were possible exclusively due to the support and expertise of the Council of Europe. The implementation of the European reforms and standards has brought considerable benefits to the entire Moldovan society, among which the freedom of expression, free and fair elections, cultural and educational variety, diversification of mechanisms of human rights’ protection. The citizens’ direct access to the European Court of Human Rights represents an advantage, as well as reflection of the systemic problems in the society, which we are set to regulate through the justice reform. Our final goal is to ensure the independent justice, access to quality education and safety in our home – Republic of Moldova.     

This anniversary takes place in a difficult moment for the entire mankind: the crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic. The hardships oblige us to be together, in order to consolidate the European and global unity and to offer a better living to people.  

I want to reiterate the importance of the pro-active cooperation with the Council of Europe and reconfirm the first commitment to the generally human values. Our priority goal remains the adjusting of the national legal framework to the European standards and its implementation, including the carrying out of the democratic and social reforms in an accelerated pace.   

With these thoughts, I am confident that our efficient dialogue will advance in continuation, especially through the development of new initiatives and turning to account of the huge potential existing in all cooperation sectors.’’