The Moldovan authorities aim to enter 2016 with all the commitments made over the implementation of the Association Agreement between Moldova and the EU fulfilled. In the first meeting of the Moldova–EU Association Committee held in Chisinau on October 19, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Natalia Gherman said the results of the implementation of the Association Agreement during a year since its signing are visible, the EU becoming Moldova’s main trade partner, IPN reports.
Natalia Gherman said the future partnership will focus on the justice sector reform. Experts of European institutions will come to Chisinau in November to assess the strategy for implementing the justice sector reform and will formulate proposals for facilitating and accelerating the process. It was agreed that a high-level counseling mission that will consist of over 20 experts from different areas will arrive in Moldova by this yearend. The experts will assist the heads of public institutions to complete and promote the policies worked out in accordance with the European norms. “I’m glad to announce that the EU is ready to continue to provide counseling in all the areas so that we implemented the Association Agreement,” stated the official.
Gunnar Wiegand, Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia at the European External Action Service, expressed his support for the Government of Moldova, which remains committed to implement the European agenda and to continue the reformation process. The European partners will continue to support Moldova both by high-level counseling programs through experts from the member states and by technical assistance and twining programs in the areas covered by the accord.
The interlocutors agreed the priorities for the immediate future, putting the justice sector reform at the top. In response to the Moldovan side’s request to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the justice sector reform strategy for 2011– 2015, the EU confirmed that a mission of European experts will come to Chisinau by end-November.
The discussions on the DCFTA component will continue within the visit by the European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom and during the Association Committee in Trade Configuration Conference that will take place on October 22-23.
