In the second Association Council meeting held in Brussels on March 14, Moldova and the European Union reconfirmed the common determination to implement their commitments to strengthening Moldova’s political association and economic integration with the EU, IPN reports.
According to a joint press release of the Government of Moldova and the Council of the European Union, the Association Council acknowledged the importance of solving the current difficulties in Moldova through a constructive dialogue between all political forces in the country, taking into account the expectations of the people of the Republic of Moldova. The EU encouraged Moldova to continue its efforts to pass the necessary laws and reaffirmed its support to Moldova towards these goals. Both parties underlined the importance of dialogue and cooperation with civil society, in particular in the implementation of the Association Agreement, and the need for an enhanced civil society participation in the public policy and decision-making processes in Moldova.
Tangible results on reforms are necessary to restore trust in Moldova. The Association Council acknowledged the efforts undertaken by Moldova in preparing a clear plan of priority reforms in key areas, comprised in a roadmap that was provided to EU and made public by the Government of Moldova. This detailed roadmap sets clear deadlines for concrete actions until July. These reforms ought to include thorough investigation on the banking frauds, reform of the justice sector, as well as depoliticize state institutions, fight against corruption and money laundering, etc.
The Association Council discussed ways of addressing political deadlocks in Moldova, including via a constitutional reform and the implementation of OSCE/ODIHR recommendations on the electoral framework.
The EU reiterated its call to improve the national legislation in order to effectively limit the concentration of media ownership and guarantee pluralism as soon as possible. The EU expressed also its concerns about judiciary and law enforcement agencies lacking independence and called on Moldova to undertake reforms which will effectively ensure the independence, effectiveness, transparency and accountability of the judiciary and of the anti-corruption institutions. The EU welcomed the adoption of a law reforming the prosecution service considering it a step forward and strongly encouraged its faithful implementation, together with the adoption of key laws on the judiciary and fight against corruption without delay. Moldova has reaffirmed the justice sector reform as one of the country's key-priorities.
The Association Council noted the substantial EU assistance provided to Moldova. The EU called on Moldova to make the best use of this assistance in order to deliver on the ambitious reforms it has committed to under the Association Agreement and the Association Agenda, and reiterated its readiness to continue assisting Moldova including through technical assistance and project support, such as peer-review missions and high level advisers. The Association Council agreed that a clear commitment to establish a comprehensive program of stabilization and structural reforms, with the aim to address macroeconomic concerns should allow reaching agreement on a new Cooperation Agreement with IMF.
The Association Council confirmed that EU-Moldova cooperation in the field of energy is a priority, recalling the importance of continuing work on an Ungheni-Chisinau pipeline as well as related policy measures as a further step towards diversification of supplies in view of increasing energy security at country and regional level.
The Association Council called for stepping up efforts towards reaching a comprehensive, peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova with a special status for Transnistria.
The EU stressed that the Association Agreement including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area offers modernization and development opportunities to the entire internationally recognized territory of Moldova and that the EU stands ready to support its full implementation to the benefit of all the people of Moldova and its international partners.
