[Info-Prim Neo article from the Series “Moldova-20! Whereto?”] [Each of the 20 years of independence in Moldova has its meaning and role in what happened in the period and, undoubtedly, in what is going to happen in the country and the people’s lives in the future. Info-Prim Neo asked politicians, analysts, experts and personalities from different areas to pronounce on the main events that took place during a certain year and assess their impact on the country.] [The year 2005 as seen by Serafim Urecheanu, chairman of the Audit Office, former MP and mayor of Chisinau municipality.] [January 25] – There was launched the National Program “Moldovan Village”. [February 17] – There was adopted the law concerning the building of the free international port “Giurgiulesti”. [February 22] – Moldova signed the Moldova-EU Plan of Action in Brussels as part of the European Neighborhood Policy. [March 6] – There were held parliamentary elections. [March 24] – There was adopted the Declaration of the Parliament of Moldova regarding the political partnership for achieving the European integration objectives. [April 4] –Vladimir Voronin was reelected President of Moldova. [The Audit Office chairman Serafim Urecheanu, former mayor of Chisinau and Member of Parliament], said that 2005 was the year when the democratic forces of Moldova started to win more votes in elections. “The Democratic Moldova Bloc entered Parliament with 34 seats and if a number of things hadn’t happened, the democratic forces would have had all the chances to start demolishing communism. But it happened as it happened (the PCRM came to power and Vladimir Voronin was reelected as head of state by the votes of the Communist lawmakers and the MPs of the PPCD, PDM and PSL – e.n.). I don’t want to comment on what the people know very well,” said Serafim Urecheanu. According to him, the chances to form a coalition government were missed in 2005. “The return to power of the Communists was regrettable. The Communist dictatorship was maintained for another four years and the challenges were serious,” said Serafim Urecheanu. He also said that 2005 was however an important year as there was adopted the Declaration of the Parliament of Moldova regarding the political partnership for achieving the European integration objectives. For the first time, the MPs voted unanimously. Serafim Urecheanu took the seat of MP after working for 11 years as mayor general of Chisinau. He headed the only Opposition group that existed in 2005. He said that many claim they formed part of the then active and constructive opposition, but in fact there was only one Opposition group in 2005, which went through a hard time during the Communist government. ”I had to think better before leaving the post of mayor general of Chisinau. However, judging by the present situation, I cannot say that step was definitely right or wrong,” said the former MP. Serafim Urecheanu said the Republic of Moldova must take well-thought-out measures aimed at the country’s reunification. “This is a priority for the Moldovan political class, which should develop relations both with the East and the West. We are convinced that Moldova’s future is in the EU,” he stated. {Serafim Urecheanu was named chairman of the Audit Office on April 21, 2011. In 1991-1994, he had served as MP. On August 9, 1994, he was appointed mayor of Chisinau municipality by presidential decree. He was reelected as mayor in the elections of 1999 and 2003. In 2004, he became the leader of the Democratic Moldova Bloc, which won 34 seats of MP of 101 in the March 6, 2005 elections. On April 18, 2005, Serafim Urecheanu abandoned the post of mayor of Chisinau and took the seat of MP. After the Democratic Moldova Bloc fell apart, he was named leader of the Moldova Noastra Alliance, which merged with the Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova in 2011. Serafim Urecheanu withdrew from the political arena after he was designated Audit Office chairman.} [Dumitrita Ciuvaga, Info-Prim Neo]