EU-Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee requested more European support for Moldova

Chisinau, March 24 /MOLDPRES/- The Republic of Moldova - European Union Parliamentary Association Committee appreciated the progress made in several key areas in Moldova and called for more European support for our country. A declaration was signed yesterday.

At yesterday's meeting, the committee members adopted a joint statement, following the analysis of the current situation of relations between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, the implementation of the Association Agreement and the fulfillment of the requirements of our country's candidate status for EU accession. The declaration refers to three essential aspects: Moldova's accession to the European Union and the Association Agreement, the rule of law and justice reform and the geopolitical situation of the Republic of Moldova.

The document appreciates the efforts made by Moldova and the progress made in several key areas: combating violence against women, the fight against corruption and the judicial sector. At the same time, the document sees that our country's accession to the European Union represents a geostrategic investment in a united and strong Europe. The signatories of the declaration urge the Commission and the European Council to start the EU accession negotiations of the Republic of Moldova as soon as possible, by the end of the current year, and after the fulfillment of the nine recommendations.

The authors also call on the European Commission to continue financial support for Moldova, to help the country cover part of its additional financing needs in 2023, and to provide for additional reforms to increase financial support for Moldova. The EU-Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee urges the EU institutions to ensure the implementation of solutions to reduce and eliminate roaming charges between our country and the EU.

In terms of the justice reform, the joint declaration notes the progress made in this sector – the pre-vetting procedure for the new members of the Superior Council of the Magistrates and the Superior Council of Prosecutors, the implementation of the legislation regarding trial in absentia.

It also calls on EU institutions and EU member states to quickly create a separate regime of sanctions against Moldovan citizens recognized for corrupting Moldova's political and economic institutions in order to reduce the financial power of the oligarchs and their ability to destabilize the country, as requested by the Chisinau Government and to support the call of several European ministers to act in order to sanction the pro-Russian oligarchs in Moldova.

In the context of the geopolitical situation, the CPA RM-EU welcomes the decision of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova condemning the war of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, the war crimes and the brutal violation of the principles of international law. The authors of the statement condemn the repeated violation by Russian missiles of the Moldovan airspace, the repeated threats from Russia to invade our country and the attempts to overthrow the Government and the Parliament.

The 13th meeting of the Republic of Moldova - European Union Parliamentary Association Committee was held on March 23. The meeting was co-chaired by the vice-president of the Moldovan Parliament, Mihail Popșoi, and the MEP Siegfried Mureșan.

Photo: Parliament