Either Gagauz elections are crucial for Moldovan democracy

The elections scheduled to take place in the Gagauz Territorial-Administrative Unit (GTAU) represent a crucial moment for strengthening the democratic institutions of Moldova and of the regional Gagauz autonomy within a democratic, sovereign and territorially integral Moldova, reads a communique disseminated by the chiefs of the European Union diplomatic missions accredited to Chisinau, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. The ambassadors travelled, on February 22, 2008, to the GTAU to assess the start of the race for the People’s Assembly, planned for March 6, 2008. In this regard, the ambassadors stress the poll should be democratic and transparent and should proceed in accordance with the commitments Moldova assumed within the EU-Moldova Action Plan and international forums. The ambassadors mention registering the candidates has been done correctly. Meanwhile, they express concern for the insignificant interest of the people for the poll and especially for the fact that no financing was provided then for organising and unfolding the elections, as they run the risk to be postponed or annulled. The ambassadors have signalled out the importance of applying the recommendations made by the OSCE/ODHIR on the occasion of the former poll in Gagauzia in December 2006, especially of updating the voters’ lists. The EU ambassadors plan to further monitor the observance of the electoral campaign and directly the Gagauz poll through regular visits in the territory. The release is signed by the embassies of Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Britain and by the European Commission Delegation to the Republic of Moldova.