Civil society called upon the Moldovan authorities to ensure transparency and to take definite steps on the path to European integration. “We want to see a much clearer future as regards the period after the Vilnius Summit and consider that definite steps should be taken towards obtaining a liberalized visa regime and that the deadlines for taking the future actions should be set,” Lilia Carasciuc, president of the Anticorruption Alliance and coordinator of the fifth meeting of the EaP Civil Society Forum that took place in Chisinau, has told IPN.
In the statement adopted in the meeting, civil society calls on the authorities to refrain from actions that hinder the strengthening of the rule of law and justice and the reform of the law enforcement bodies. It also asks involving representatives of civil society and the partners from the business sector and the academic community in implementing the provisions concerning the creation of the Free Trade Area with the EU.
The statement says the uncertainty and the lack of knowledge fueled by the non-transparency of the talks on the main European integration processes in Moldova are exploited by external and internal players that want to deride and oppose Moldova’s pro-European position. “The Moldovans need a tangible stimulus in order to continue the way to European integration and the liberalization of the visa regime can be such a stimulus. Moldova made important progress at regional level and in the process of liberalizing the visas by implementing the institutional reform, by securing the documents and other measures,” reads the statement.
Civil society also says that the 2014 elections will be crucial for the country and a credible incentive is needed for the Moldovans to follow further the European course. It also called upon the European Union to make transparent the provisions of the Association Agreement and of the documents on the creation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area.
The fifth meeting of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum was held in Chisinau on October 4-5.
