The former Prime Minister of Romania and member of the European Parliament Theodor Stolojan said the progress of a country is related to a number of factors, but primarily to political stability. “If there is no political stability, the economy cannot be advanced, because we speak about the Republic of Moldova, which is the least developed country in Europe. Political stability is first of all needed because a government program with precise goals that can be achieved can be implemented in such conditions,” the MEP said in an interview for Radio Free Europe, quoted by IPN.

The MEP noted that the country’s people do not have confidence in the government, as the partners do not, because all the financial assistance programs were suspended so as to see what happens finally in Moldova. “I had serious objections to the Romanian Government’s position on the Republic of Moldova on two issues. First of all, Romania promised €100 million in non-reimbursable financial assistance, of which €20 million or 1/5 has been spent. I think that no matter what happens in Moldova and what decisions this takes, Romania can continue a series of projects that will be for the direct benefit of the people of Moldova, not of a passing government,” stated Theodor Stolojan.

Asked what the official Chisinau should do to regain credibility before the European partners, the MEP said the first condition is that democracy should work in Moldova. Afterward, Moldova should decide whether it wants the Association Agreement with the EU to work or wants to continue to have a two-way stance.

Theodor Stolojan added that nobody prevents Moldova from having economic and social relations with any part of the world, but the agreement with the European Union is the accord that guarantees economic, social and political progress in the country based on the pillars on which the EU was built, namely democracy and free and competitive market economy, with respected private property and with an independent and efficient justice system.