November 18, 2015
The European Union expects that a reformist, pro-European government will be invested in Moldova. This is not a surprise for any of those who know Brussels, but should be reiterated for the Moldovan political class as a call for responsibility, beyond vainglory or momentary political calculations.
The conclusion of the meetings I held this week with the leaders of European institutions is that Moldova must become again the ‘success story’ of the Eastern Partnership: it is important to return to stability and the European reforms that would improve the living standards of our people. They deserve respect and a better life.
Moldova will continue to implement the democratic reforms and its advance on the path of European integration should be the priority of the future governmental team. I went to Brussels with this message and the people there are confident that our country will succeed: there is also disappointment about the undelivered promises, political instability and bank frauds, but it is justified. I promised that I will support justice and I will keep my word.
The European Parliament, as the European Commission and the Council of the EU, follows attentively what is going on in Moldova. Some of the implemented measures were welcomed, while others were criticized and this was expected as all the states met with difficulties in the democratization process. I went on this visit realizing that our partners have great expectations that cannot be delayed, but we are late in meeting them, most often for political reasons. I returned to the country more aware than ever that the hand given between us, the European parties, should be shaken in the national interests, not avoided for political vainglory.
I received messages encouraging us to complete the investigation into the stealing committed at the three banks, as a result of which our country entered a profound economic crisis. The conclusion I reached in the discussions I had on the issue is that all those involved must be punished in accordance with the law, regardless of the post held or the party of which one forms part. The country’s economic security must be restored. We can do this both by transparency (which I always aimed to ensure and thus published the Kroll report) and by functional justice.
In the meetings with the high-ranking European officials, emphasis was placed on the formation of a government that would be supported by a durable parliamentary coalition. This is actually a desideratum that we aim to achieve in the discussions we have on the formation of a parliamentary majority. The European Union remains committed to Moldova and waits for sustainable solutions, namely that we do our duty and show that we can follow seriously a roadmap for overcoming the crisis.
Parliament will team up with the Government to ensure the success of reforms in the banking, justice, anticorruption, energy and business sectors; only this way can we recover swiftly and get out of the current hole. The European integration is now mainly related to our country’s internal policy, not its external policy. The implementation of the Association Agreement in the set timeframes and the resumption of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund are immediate priorities that depend on the formation of a new parliamentary coalition and the investiture of the Government.
It should be noted that the delegation that accompanied me on this visit included the Bashkan of Gagauzia Irina Vlah. We spoke together about the cooperation relations established with a view to integrating and supporting the national minorities. We referred to our proposal to set up a working group that will consist of members of Parliament and of deputies of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia, whose mission will be to create an efficient cooperation atmosphere.
We need all the energy of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, the politicians’ will, the European values and views materialized in a coherent country plan: a progressive and safe Moldova in a prosperous and powerful Europe.
