The decision to not validate the local early mayoral elections held in the municipality of Chișinău was taken against Moldova’s tradition and practice and against the European tradition, Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Peter Michalko was quoted by IPN as saying in the talk show “In Depth” on ProTV Chișinău channel.
According to the ambassador, the EU advised Moldova to solve the problem of the non-respect for the people’s will expressed by vote. “All the legislative and administrative tools are in the Moldovan authorities’ hands and all the possibilities should be used to respect the people’s will in elections,” he stated.
Peter Michalko noted that the EU will be attentive to what is going on before the campaign prior to the parliamentary elections, during the campaign, on the election day and after this so as to make sure that the whole process takes place in accordance with the democratic norms. “It is important that the election outcome be credible. For the purpose, the process should respect the rules of democracy,” he said.
The diplomat also said that progress in the economy and in stabilizing the banking system after the fraud committed several years ago was seen last year. The economy was stabilized and trade between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union advanced and Moldova’s exports increased rather significantly. “We didn’t see progress in the key areas for the development of society,” he noted.
Peter Michalko reminded that a program in the justice sector was closed without providing the last planned tranche namely because reforms weren’t done. “Since then, we have expected steps to be made to increase the independence of the judiciary, to introduce the principle of merit when it is about the career of judges so as see that the judicial system works as an independent one and correctly and where the citizens and the investors will be sure that their rights will not be violated and will be supported,” he stated.
As to the banking fraud, the diplomat said this is one of the key priorities discussed in each meeting of the European officials with the Moldovan authorities and the EU’s position on the issue remains very clear - those to blame for the theft of the US$ 1 billion should be held accountable. “The authorities in the Republic of Moldova should realize how seriously this damages the image of the government, the justice system and the Republic of Moldova,” noted Peter Michalko.
