The importance of the partnership between Moldova and the Council of Europe was discussed in Strasbourg in a meeting of the president of the Democratic Party (PDM) Vlad Plahotniuc and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland. While in Strasbourg on a working visit, the leader of the PDM also met with the President of the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio, IPN reports.

In a press release, the PDM says Vlad Plahotniuc told Thorbjørn Jagland that the ruling coalition and the Democratic Party support the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2017-2020 and will offer all the political assistance to implement it. He noted that everything that is related to the human rights and good functioning of justice is very important for Moldova.

For his part, Thorbjørn Jagland appreciated the cooperation between Moldova and the Council of Europe and welcomed the positive developments in the Transnistrian settlement process, including the signing of the four protocols between Chisinau and Tiraspol on November 25 this year.

It should be noted that Thorbjørn Jagland was the one who in 2015 wrote about “state capture” in Moldova in The New York Times. The European official was the first who wrote about this, saying very trenchantly that the captured state should be returned to the people, deploring the very serious effects of Moldovan corruption.

In the meeting with Gianni Buquicchio, Vlad Plahotniuc welcomed the advice provided by the Venice Commission for improving the Moldovan legislation. “This expertise for use is useful and valuable. We also discussed the way in which we implement the recommendations of the Venice Commission, as it was the case with a number of initiatives transmitted by Parliament for appraisal. I’m convinced that we will continue to have god cooperation relations with the Venice Commission. Moldova cares about this cooperation and needs it,” stated Vlad Plahotniuc.

Gianni Buquicchio noted he is a friend of Republic of Moldova, while Moldova is a good student as regards the improvement of laws and functioning of democratic institutions. He underlined the necessity of continuing the democratic reforms. As to the introduction of the mixed electoral system, the President of the Venice Commission reaffirmed Moldova’s sovereignty, explaining the Commission’s differing opinion on the issue.

This was the second meeting held in Strasbourg by the political delegation led by the Democratic leader Vlad Plahotniuc.