President Igor Dodon assured the EU officials that they have a reliable partner in doing reforms in his person and in the presidential administration. In a press briefing centering on the results of his visit to Brussels, Igor Dodon said he invited the four high-ranking officials with whom he met to visit Moldova, IPN reports.
“Let’s together force this government to do reforms – the European Union, on the one hand, which offers financial support on particular conditions, and the President, on the other hand. They should not pretend to be doing reforms,” said Igor Dodon, noting that the reforms have been simulated during the last four years.
The President noted that the discussions he had in Brussels were good and open and he informed the EU officials about the deficiencies and gaps witnessed in the bilateral relations during the last few years. He said he asked for assistance in investigating the bank fraud, especially because this was committed after the signing of the Association Agreement, according to him.
Igor Dodon told the European officials that confidence in the EU decreased during the last few years, while Moldova’s foreign course can be decided by the people, not by politicians. According to him, a referendum would be appropriate in his regard.
Igor Dodon said in Brussels he reiterated his position that the opening of a NATO liaison office in Chisinau is inopportune. According to him, this will make the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks more difficult. The government hurries to open the office, but this will definitely be closed after the parliamentary elections.
In another development, Igor Dodon said that on February 9 he had a meeting with Russia’s Ambassador in Chisinau Farit Mukhametshin. A group of experts of Russia’s watchdogs Rosselkhoznadzor and Rospotrebnadzor will come to Moldova next week to inspect enterprises so as to see if the export of Moldovan products to Russia can be resumed. A decision on the restrictions imposed by Russia on Moldovan migrants will be soon taken. Also today, the President had a meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to Moldova James D. Pettit.
In Brussels, President Dodon met with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini, President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, President of the European Commission Claude Junker, and NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller.
