Benita Ferrero-Waldner: EU will sign a new agreement with Moldova only after the Action Plan is fully implemented

The European Union will consider signing a new agreement with Moldova only after the Individual Action Plan is fully implemented. Some of its points haven’t been completed yet, stated Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, at a news conference held jointly with President Vladimir Voronin on Friday, February 15. Benita Ferrero-Waldner noted that the new agreement will be broader and will lay the foundation for much closer relations between Moldova and the EU, being similar to the agreement currently negotiated by Ukraine, the European Commissioner said. The EU official mentioned that Moldova has made progress in fulfilling the commitments under the Plan, including in the past two months. At the same time, Benita Ferrero-Waldner stressed the importance of putting the adopted laws into practice. The parliamentary elections to be held next year will be a crucial event. The accredited ambassadors will be watching closely the developments of the electoral process, and that is why the elections must be free and fair, stated Ferrero-Waldner. She also pointed out that all the parties involved in the electoral process must enjoy equal access to the media. The EU official added that although foreign investment has grown considerably, more effort is needed to combat corruption and create a favourable climate for business development. Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin stated for his part that, in discussing with European officials, he learned that Moldova’s European future depends not only on how we manage to adopt a certain law, but also on our capacities to put it into practice. Moldova, if it really wants to become an EU member state and build Europe at home, must also adopt the European standards, the head of state noted. The nearest test will be the parliamentary elections of 2009 which will have to be held at the highest democratic level, in a transparent and free manner, emphasised the President. Benita Ferrero-Waldner is visiting Moldova during February 14-15. The visit agenda also includes meetings with Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev, First Deputy Prime Minister Zinaida Greceanii, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Andrei Stratan, Speaker of the Parliament Marian Lupu and Chisinau Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca. On the agenda are EU-Moldova relations, progress in Moldova’s political and economic reforms, issues related to the Transnistria settlement, and regional issues.