The Republic of Moldova can receive the first tranche of the Romanian loan of €150 million only when the Government in Chisinau demonstrates that it started to do a number of reforms. The Prime Minister of Romania Dacian Ciolos, in a news conference given after a meeting with Moldovan Premier Pavel Filip, said that before the tranche of €60 million is disbursed, the Moldovan Government must present concrete measures concerning reforms in different areas, IPN reports.
“In several days, we can provide a list of measures that can be taken at the first stage. Romania wants to coordinate the financial support with the European Commission and with the IMF, but we want to use this support as a bridge, until the Government is ready to sign a new accord with the IMF,” stated Dacian Ciolos. He noted that if the Government of Moldova pledges to do reforms, the Government of Romania could initially provide emergency assistance to help the citizens of Moldova overcome winter. During the next few days, the Romanian authorities will also analyze the possibility of offering food products and heating materials for the Moldovans in need.
Dacian Ciolos said the visit by the Moldovan Premier contributed to a better understanding of the difficult situation through which Moldova goes. “The people have very clear expectations of the authorities and the dissatisfaction is mainly justified. We encourage the Government to keep in touch with representatives of civil society of Moldova and to listen to people’s legitimate wishes and expectations,” he stated.
Pavel Filip thanked Romania for deciding again to lend a hand in this difficult moments experienced by Moldova. “Maybe now more than ever, this support is vital for the Republic of Moldova. The Government was voted in under the terrible pressure exerted by the Party of Socialists, which aims to provoke early elections. But things calmed down after the ministers took up,” he said.
The official noted that the feelings of those who protest sincerely are understood. “When the protests started in Chisinau, I thought they are useful because I’m a person who believes that the pressure exerted by civil society on the Government mobilizes the Cabinet members and makes them do more for the people. We are trying to ensure a permanent dialogue with the protesters,” he stated.
According to him, the current Cabinet is decided to show that it is pro-European, while the reform agenda stipulated in the Association Agreement with the EU and the restoration of the cooperation with the foreign development partners represent priorities. “We will not resort to populism, but will focus on actions. My request to the ministers was to forget about parties and to sacrifice a part of their personal life so that the people see that this Government works for the people’s welfare,” said the Moldovan Premier.
While in Bucharest, Pavel Filip also had a meeting with the President of Romania Klaus Iohannis at the Cotroceni Palace. He is to also meet with the President of the Senate of Romania Calin Popescu-Tariceanu and with the President of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania Valeriu Stefan Zgonea.
