The administration of Moldova approves of the efforts made by the police to maintain public order and stability by fighting crime. The steps taken to prevent and reduce crime on the street and in other public places and to combat drug-related offences and human trafficking, economic crime and corruption have a major importance as the results achieved are positive. President Vladimir Voronin spoke about the given issue at the meeting of the Interior Ministry’s Board that summed up the results achieved by the Ministry in 2008 and set the tasks for this year. According to a communiqué from the presidential press service, the head of state said that the police are an important component of the national system for insuring stability and defending the life and health of the people when the law is broken. According to Vladimir Voronin, the activity of the police was and is supervised by the administration of the country and by the society. The head of state said that the measures taken by the Ministry’s administration and its personnel to modernize the dispersed subdivisions and services and strengthen and develop cooperation with the people, public organizations, mass media and other law enforcement bodies are welcomed by the society. Vladimir Voronin stressed that in order to fulfill the set tasks, the personnel should be well prepared. The training programs and seminars for the police and carabineer troops were described as opportune and fruitful. The relevant state institutions make effort to provide the subdivisions with the necessary technical and special units, the head of state said. “I must yet say that the activity of the Ministry of the Interior and of the police is not perfect as the discipline is violated and the police officers commit offences or are involved in corruption cases. As a result, the efficiency of the efforts made by the personnel decreases and the administration of the country and of the Ministry cannot focus on other problems,” the chief of state said. Vladimir Voronin also said that the country’s administration and the relevant bodies are periodically informed about cases of corruption, criminal negligence or abuse of power regarded as betrayal of the job interests or serious violations of the people’s rights. The Ministry’s administration should pay special attention to the cases involving persons holding important positions in the given subdivisions, Vladimir Voronin stated. The head of state also enumerated the major tasks of the Interior Ministry in 2009: continue the reformation and transformation of the police into a modern and efficient institution, including by implementing international practices in the area; reduce crime, placing emphasis on the main directions (elimination of organized crime, combating of violent offences and crimes committed by minors); increase stability in the society and the people’s trust that their rights are defended. Vladimir Voronin stressed the importance of such actions as the promotion of a positive image of the police officer, permanently and insistently taking measures to eliminate corruption in the institutions of the Ministry of the Interior, development of the capacities of supporting the central and local public authorities in emergencies, including natural disasters, etc. Speaking about the 2009 legislative elections, the head of state said that the police will play a key role in insuring free and fair elections because the strict observance of the law by all the political parties, public organizations and people is the guarantee that the people could express their will through democratic ways, the head of state said.