Myths and truths about Association Agreement: reform implementation period

27.07.2014 05:05
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2 minute(s)

“The Association Agreement will lead to Moldova’s loss of sovereignty”, “The Association Agreement will further enflame Russia-Moldova relations”, “Consumer prices will increase as a result of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area”. These are only some of the most spread hypotheses about the Association Agreement with the European Union. Are they true theories or just myths? IPN aimed to find out the answer from a number of independent experts and officials working in the addressed areas.
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“Moldova has to implement all the reforms in less time than EU Member States"

Igor Botan, executive director of the Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT, said this assertion is a myth because over the next 10 years Moldova must assimilate only 70% of the community acquis for the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, which forms part of the Association Agreement with the EU, to function normally. Moldova’s legislation will have to be reviewed in accordance with the EU standards.

“For example Romania, which signed the Association Agreement in 1993, joined the European Union in 2007. But Romania assimilated the whole community acquis. We will have to assimilate only 70%. Things are as clear as possible in this respect. We want this modernization and it must be done swiftly,” said Igor Botan.

Given that Moldova is a small country, with a rather restricted economy, it is evident that the process of assimilating the community acquis will be much simpler. Everything depends on the authorities, said the ADEPT director.

In the same connection, the Delegation of the European Union to Moldova says on its website that it would be unrealistic to expect this and the Agreement does not require it. Reforms must be planned over time as they cover different aspects of economic life and transition periods are the best tool to introduce them gradually. The EU itself uses this gradual approach when its Member States need to enact new legislation. Moldova itself decided how much time it needs to complete its adaptation process, sector by sector.

Moldova negotiated several transition periods, which vary from area to area, depending inter alia on the existence and content of national legislation and market developments.

Alina Marin, IPN