European officials, ambassadors and representatives of the Moldovan authorities Friday took part in the launch of the Action Plan to support democratic reforms in the Republic of Moldova 2013-2016. The document was approved by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe last November and represents a cooperation framework between the Council of Europe and Moldova in supporting the national reforms and adjusting the national legislation to the EU one, IPN reports.

Deputy Speaker Liliana Palihovici said the action plan contains the priorities announced by the current government concerning the reformation of the justice sector, protection and promotion of the human rights, combating of corruption, and local decentralization.

Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni said that Moldova has a very ambitious reform agenda and this action plan will contribute to this agenda. “We will have a common product that was worked out in partnership with the Moldovan authorities and that comes to contribute to the own European integration aspirations of Moldova. The action plan’s success depends a lot on the active involvement and wish of the authorities to implement it,” she stated.

The action plan centers on six key areas and includes 23 projects whose budget amounts to €18 million.