The United States Ambassador to Chisinau, Dereck J. Hogan, says he expects from the current Government headed by Ion Chicu the continuation of reforms, especially in the fight against corruption and the judiciary reform. If this does not happen, then there is a risk of suspension of external financial aid. Dereck J. Hogan states that the Chicu Government will enjoy US support, if it is ready to carry out all the reforms launched by the previous executive, IPN reports.
The US ambassador stated that the previous ruling coalition, consisting of the Socialist Party and the ACUM bloc, had great potential to implement the necessary reforms. "We were disappointed with what had happened because we felt that the coalition between the PSRM and the ACUM bloc had great potential for carrying out the necessary reforms. Unfortunately, this coalition fell apart and now we are waiting for actions and implementation of these reforms from the current government," noted Dereck J. Hogan on "Piatnița s Anatoliem Golea" show, on RTR Moldova station.
The diplomat mentioned that he did everything possible to maintain the previous ruling coalition. Furthermore, the ambassador claims that he wants to see that the new government is ready to do its best to carry out reforms, to develop the economy. "I met with the new prime minister and explained to him that in front of the new government there is a big "mountain" because the responsibility is huge and expectations are very high. Not only within the country, but also within the international community. We said that implementing the judiciary reform is our main priority. If the government is ready to carry out all the reforms that were launched by the previous executive, we will gladly help," stressed Dereck J. Hogan.
"During the previous government we saw that combatting corruption was possible. An illustrative example is that of the billion theft. I believe that people are expecting more from the current government because they have seen from the previous executive that it is possible”, added the diplomat.
Also, the US ambassador believes that the responsibility for the Prosecutor General's independence is in the hands of the Superior Council of Prosecutors/ CSP and the Government. "If the new Prosecutor General continues to work in the same way as interim prosecutor Dumitru Robu, including on the investigation of the billion theft and other corruption offenses, it will be good, if we do not see this, then the responsibility lies with the CSP, the Government and the president,” said Dereck J. Hogan.
