Corruption is the main problem and impediment in the subsequent development of the Republic of Moldova, U.S. Ambassador in Chisinau James Pettit stated in the talk show “Key issue” on NTV Moldova channel, IPN reports.

“There is corruption everywhere, not only in the Government. It is in the business community and at all the levels,” said the diplomat. According to him, it is hard to change the mentality of the population. That’s why the structure of institutions should be changed and methods to hamper corruption should be designed. James Pettit considers corruption was inherited from the Soviet Union.

In the same program, the U.S. ambassador said he saw few reforms in the Republic of Moldova the past year and the Government invented different bills that do not fully meet the European standards, the requirements of the International Monetary Fund and the Association Agreement with the EU. Instead, he saw a lot of results in terms of reforms in the economic sector. There is huge potential to further develop the tourism industry.

In this connection, James Pettit noted that this year the United States of America will provide about US$30 million for different development directions of Moldova. “Economic growth is the major goal of our financial support,” said the diplomat, adding that the economic growth solves many other problems faced by a state.