The progress made in implementing the Association Agreement with the European Union is limited. Despite the moderate progress made in implementing the Deep and Compressive Free Trade Agreement between Moldova and the EU, a qualitative decline has been witnessed in the first half of this year, owing mainly to the lack of progress in doing the justice sector reform and democratic backsliding that led to the suspension of the EU macro-financial assistance. This is provided in a statement adopted in the fourth meeting of the EU – Moldova Civil Society Platform that was held in Chisinau on October 23, IPN reports.
Co-president of the Platform Ion Guzun, legal adviser at the Legal Resources Center of Moldova, in the opening of the event said the EU – Moldova Civil Society Platform represents one of the instruments that enable civil society organizations, representatives of trade unions and employers to monitor the process of implementing the agreement and to formulate recommendations for the relevant authorities.
Daniela Morari, secretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, said there is a new Association Agenda for 2017-2019 and a new national plan for implementing the Association Agreement. About 90 legal acts are yet to be adopted this year. The priority documents are now being agreed given that the current Parliament will be operational until November 30.
Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Peter Michalko said the dialogue between the EU and Moldova during the past year continued to be based on the Association Agreement and the DCFTA. On the one hand, progress was made in stabilizing the economy and the financial-banking sector. Exports to the EU increased to over 68% of the total. On the other hand, conditions are yet to be created for attracting foreign investment. Complex reforms are needed not only in the economic sector, but also in the field of the rule of law. The justice sector remains one of the most problematic areas. The fight against corruption and money laundering remains of major importance. The investigation of the banking fraud, recovery of the stolen funds and holding accountable of those to blame are as important.
Mariana Platon, project manager at the Institute for European Policies and Reforms, making reference to the most recent alternative report produced by the Institute, said that insignificant progress is made in implementing the measures stipulated in the Association Agreement from qualitative viewpoint. “We still make minor progress in implementing the Association Agreement and should step up efforts,” stated the expert.
Adrian Lupușor, executive director of the independent think tank Expert-Grup, stated that after four years of implementation of the DCFTA, exports to the EU market rose considerably, by about 32%. This enabled to compensate for the losses and overcome the bans imposed by the Russian Federation. The adopted laws on capital amnesty and citizenship by investment pose risks. In general, Moldova’s economy seems to be stable, but the fact that this growth takes place amid the stagnation of private investment activity, departures from good governance and the population’s and potential investors’ low level of confidence points to the poor quality and sustainability of this growth.
As to the elections, the Platform members in the adopted statement reiterated their disagreement with the arguments used by judges to invalidate the votes of over 240,000 citizens of Chisinau, who represented about 40% of those who took part in the local mayoral elections. They expressed their disappointment at the fact that the Government hasn’t yet approved the draft law that provides special rights for the voters from the diaspora. The representatives of civil society encourage the authorities of the state to react promptly and to punish hate speech, in particular before and after the electoral processes.
The event is organized with financial support from the European Union, Soros Foundation Moldova and the Government of Sweden through East Europe Foundation.
