Minister of Justice Vladimir Cebotari provided particular details after the EU on October 11 announced that it will not transfer any further funds to the Moldovan state budget to support reforms in the justice sector. “We should be correct, clear and should not become involved in the speculations about the causes and motives for such a decision that were launched by a number of sources,” he was quoted by IPN as saying.

According to Vladimir Cebotari, the press release says it clearly that the Moldovan authorities showed insufficient commitment to reforming the justice sector in 2014 and 2015 and it is not about one colleague or another.

Vladimir Cebotari said the shortcomings of 2014 and 2015 were dealt with in 2016 and 2017 and all the reports on the justice sector reform strategy show this. “We should do our homework and not allow the same mistakes to be made in the future, even if another party will be in power,” stated the minister.

In a press release, the EU Delegation to Moldova said the EU has closely observed the reform process and noted that the Moldovan authorities showed insufficient commitment to reforming the justice sector in 2014 and 2015. With insufficient allocation of funds and personnel, the necessary reforms have not been carried out. As a result, progress has not been sufficient. This means that the Moldovan authorities have not fulfilled the EU’s conditions for receiving the last financial transfer under the justice reform program, which amount to €28 million. This sum will not be paid to the Moldovan state budget, but remain with the EU.