Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Europe and Eurasia at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Jonathan Katz considers that Moldova faces serious challenges both at political and at economic levels. In an interview for Radio Free Europe, this said that his current visit to Moldova is a fact-finding one and he wants to understand what measures or activities are undertaken by the current government to fight corruption. According to him, corruption is one of the biggest challenges in Moldova, IPN reports.
Jonathan Katz also said that he wants to see what reforms are done given that they are practically a request on the part of the international community. “I certainly want to see how we can further support these reforms, in general how can our country take part in supporting these rather difficult reforms. I understand very well that there is surely already made progress in this direction and want to see those measures that are planned to be carried out, given that they are part of the plan of action, the roadmap agreed by the Republic of Moldova together with the European Union. They are also part of particular conditions on the part of the International Monetary Fund,” he stated.
According to him, corruption is one of the biggest challenges or provocations, or problems, and is a big obstacle to Moldova. This phenomenon should be combated not only by efforts and influence on the part of the external development partners, but also by internal efforts, by the efforts of the private sector, civil society and the government so that all the barriers in face of the potential existing in Moldova are removed.
Jonathan Katz also noted that the role of civil society in a country is a vital one. According to him, civil society is and should be a real support for the government, if it cooperates with this government in promoting and implementing different reforms. Society’s role is that of monitoring, on the one hand. On the other hand, it is the one that possesses particular expertise in different areas.
