Reforms in the justice sector and the fight against corruption are impossible without powerful and independent institutions, U.S. Ambassador to Moldova Dereck Hogan stated in the second meeting of the joint working group for the consolidation of the rule of law set up within the Moldova – U.S. Strategic Dialogue, IPN reports.
The U.S. diplomat noted that besides independent institutions, transparent and simplified decision-making processes and procurement should be ensured in order to reduce corruption development opportunities. He also underlined the necessity of supporting the reformers from the Government, civil society and the media.
According to Dereck Hogan, the United States is committed to supporting Moldova’s efforts to build powerful democratic institutions, free press, energetic civil society and independent justice that would protect the country’s citizens and would bring to an end the endemic corruption that held Moldova hostage for a long period of time. “As the sanctions imposed against Vlad Plahotniuc this month showed, the United Stets is committed to help Moldova fight corruption and improve the rule of law. The citizens deserve a justice system that would treat everyone equally,” he stated.
Jordan Andrews, of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), said the INL invested almost US$25 million, including US$9 million during the last few years, in reforming the justice sector. Together with the partners from Moldova, the INL worked to develop the community police, built a forensic lab, organized training seminars for police officers, provided equipment. The foreign partners want to see more reforms during the next year, starting with the prevention of corruption, halting of selective justice, strengthening of the rule of law.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Aureliu Ciocoi expressed his regret at the fact that during almost 30 years of independence, Moldova failed to ensure an independent justice system and, consequently, a large part of the financial support provided to Moldova by the foreign partners, including the U.S., wasn’t used. He assured that the Moldovan authorities, at least the current government, will do its best for the justice sector reform to be successful.
Minister of Justice Fadei Nagachevski said the U.S. Government constantly offered Moldova technical assistance in strengthening the capacities of the justice sector and good governance. Starting with 2017, USAID initiated and implemented assistance and development programs to the value of over US$10 million for Moldova’s judiciary system. The assistance consisted in the creation and piloting of innovatory systems for courts of law, the integrated case management system and the court recording system “SRS Femida”. The U.S. also contributed to strengthening the capacities of the law enforcement agencies of Moldova through programs financed by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
