It is an undisputable fact that the development of the economy, science, medicine and culture cannot be ensured if there is no functional Parliament. The functionality of the legislative body can be ensured only by communication, discussions that may be heated, controversial and with criticism, but obligatorily held in a fellow-like and respectful atmosphere, Speaker Marian Lupu said in his speech delivered at the last sitting of the Parliament’s autumn-winter session, Info-Prim Neo reports. There is no room for personal ambitions and arrogance in the state affairs as they can hinder the communication and coordination in the decision-making process. The political speculation and utilisation of administrative instruments for manipulating the public opinion by constraint is inadmissible, the Speaker said. At the same time, Marian Lupu stressed that the populism and unfounded promises must be abandoned. These must be replaced by determined effort and practical contribution in solving the existent problems. Evidently, the government makes effort and acts, but also makes mistakes for which it can and must be criticised, Marian Lupu said. According to the Speaker, the government is aware of these problems and works to find solutions, sometimes successfully or not very successfully. The improvement of the situation, the solving of problems cannot be the prerogative of one or another party, the Head of Parliament says. This is and should be a concern for all the political forces, including those represented in the Parliament for which the largest part of the population voted. Speaking about the Parliament’s activity in the autumn-winter session, the Speaker said that the schedule for the three months was very tight – 27 decisions, about 100 bills examined and adopted. Among these are many legislative documents of major importance like the state budget law, the social and health insurance budgets. These documents were passed amid heated and controversial debates and the opinions formed were not always correct, the Speaker said. Lupu expressed his regret at the fact that they did not manage to pass the budget law by consensus as last year. As to the relations with Romania, the speaker said that a closer parliamentary dialogue between the two states could substantially reduce the reciprocally aggressive political rhetoric that hinders considerably the development of good-neighbourhood and cooperation relations between Moldova and Romania. This parliamentary dialogue can contribute to building mutual relations based on reciprocal trust, respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two states. The MPs will resume the plenary meetings in February 2008.