Lithuania is not indifferent to the fate of the Republic of Moldova and its internal developments. The bilateral relations are solid and Lithuania never forgets that Moldova’s Parliament was the first that recognized the regaining by independence of Lithuania. The Lithuanian state supported and continues to support different bilateral projects. It is ready to offer the Republic of Moldova the assistance needed on its path to European integration and in implementing the required reforms, stated the Head of the Ukraine and Moldova Division at the Eastern Neighborhood Policy Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Asta Andrijauskiene, IPN reports.
In an interview for a group of Moldovan journalists in Vilnius, Asta Andrijauskiene said the bilateral financial support provided by Lithuania to the Republic of Moldova is not as large as the volume of assistance offered by the European Union. Eleven projects whose budget totaled €110,000 were implemented in the Republic of Moldova with Lithuanian’s support last year. Lithuania also helped implement several regional projects in the Eastern Partnership states. This assistance is used efficiently and the strict monitoring on the part of Lithuania confirmed this.
The Lithuanian official said not the size of the financial assistance, but rather the way in which the money is used matters. Sometimes, small projects centered on particular goals and implemented in particular regions are very efficient. Furthermore, besides financial support, the Republic of Moldova also receives multidimensional support. This applies to the EU high-level advisers, four of whom are from Lithuania, and these offer assistance in such key areas as the fight against corruption and money laundering, banking sector, social sphere, veterinary standards and others. Also, Lithuanian and Moldovan institutions cooperate intensely. For example, the Lithuanian Customs has offered expert assistance to the Custom Service of the Republic of Moldova for over ten years. The Constitutional Courts of the two states also cooperate actively. “We aim to cooperate in different areas and devote special attention to the spheres covered by the Moldova - EU Association Agreement,” stated Asta Andrijauskiene. She noted that the visit paid by the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičiaus to Moldova in September was a constructive one and included had a number of meetings with representatives of different Moldovan political forces.
According to the Lithuanian official, it is very important for the Republic of Moldova to really honor its obligations towards the partners because not only the adoption of laws, but also their implementation is important. The European Union clearly shows how it assesses the processes in the country and the witnessed shortcomings. Even the EU’s decision to stop the financing for the justice sector of Moldova pointed to the existence of particular problems that should be dealt with and also to particular ways of overcoming them.
Asta Andrijauskiene also said that for the European Union and for Lithuania what happens in the Republic of Moldova counts, but it is very important for the Republic of Moldova to fulfill its commitments.
As regards corruption fighting, the Lithuanian official said that besides the measures taken and policies implemented at political and state levels, the role of education and the work of civil society are also very important. It starts from the education of children, with special subjects at school. Namely the work with the young generations produce the best results in changing the perception of corruption in society and this thing is felt in Lithuania and other European states. In this regard, Lithuania is ready to share its experience with the Republic of Moldova.
