Though Moldova made important progress in the European integration process in 2005-2014, a number of difficulties are still faced, especially in fighting corruption, in ensuring the security of the banking sector and in implementing the EU quality standards. Despite the made progress, the reforms over the last 10 years were done under external pressure, while the level of acceptance and political will for implementing reforms were limited. Such conclusions are contained in the progress report “Republic of Moldova within the European Neighborhood Policy: 2005-2014”, which was presented by the Association for Participatory Democracy (ADEPT) and the Independent Analytical Center “Expert-Grup”, IPN reports.
Mariana Kalughin, one of the report authors, said the normative framework in the area of justice in this period was substantially reviewed. There were founded new institutions to fight corruption. Despite these efforts, the reformation of the justice sector is slow, while the level of corruption wasn’t reduced. On the contrary, corruption thrived and this caused people’s dissatisfaction.
Report co-author Polina Panainte stated that success was achieved in the area of human rights protection, as regards the diminution of torture and trafficking in persons, owing to the harsher penalties. However, the problems related to the protection of human rights are not solved owing to the poor quality of justice. The Moldovans over the last ten years submitted more than 10,000 complaints to the ECHR and the Moldovan authorities paid over €14,000 in damages.
Adrian Lupusor, executive director of “Expert-Grup” and co-author of the report, said the EU in the period strengthened its position of Moldova’s main trade partner. However, the country has a fragile and inefficient financial-banking system, while the public institutions are not attractive for professionals. The business climate is problematic. In Moldova it is easy to start a business, but it is hard to maintain it owing to excessive bureaucracy that generates corruption.
The officials attending the event said that this report is very important for creating a dialogue between the authorities and civil society. Daniela Morari, head of the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s General European Integration Division, said the relations between the EU and Moldova have been considerably strengthened over the last ten years. Discussions are now held, including with the Eastern Partnership countries, to see what lessons should be learned.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry’s head Valeriu Lazar said a lot of work needs to be done at the level of public institutions because some of these realized the necessity of promoting the European integration, while others consider this is the duty of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs only. There are several reforms that should be done immediately because they stop the other reforms. One of these is the decentralization, while another one is the reformation of the pension system.
Cristina Tarna, vice director of the National Anticorruption Center, said the financial availability of the public institutions is a problem in combating corruption. Political will and financial resources are needed for really fighting corruption. Furthermore, the punishments for acts of corruption are not severe enough. In France, bribery is punished with up to 15 years in jail, a fine of 1€million and ban on holding particular posts for life.
The progress report “Republic of Moldova within the European Neighborhood Policy: 2005-2014” was compiled within a project of ADEPT and “Expert-Grup” with the support provided by USAID through the agency of the East Europe Foundation and FHI 360.
