The EU Conclusions of 2018 transmit unclear messages about the macro-financial assistance intended for Moldova, political pundit Dionis Cenusa said in an analysis article for IPN Agency.
According to the politologist, mentioned for two times, the strict conditionality will play a decisive role in the provision of any European assistance. The EU can activate the disbursement of financial support only if the conditions are appropriately met.
However, Dionis Cenusa noted there are several signals that validate the supposition that the EU could transfer the first installment of the macro-financial assistance in the near future, even if later than it was planned initially - until July 2018.
Primo, even if a series of problematic reforms are described, the EU Conclusions make no allusion to a possible blocking of the first installment. On the contrary, the EU requests to advance the reforms in the ten sectors covered by the first installment (implementation of the law on money laundering fighting, improvement of the business climate, strengthening of anticorruption institutions, etc.).
Secundo, the document makes reference to the monitoring of elections and of the way in which the mixed-member electoral system is implemented. So, the EU does no way demand to restore the proportional representation system for disbursing the first installment of the macro-financial assistance.
The final decision concerning the assessment of the conditions for providing assistance could be presented in connection with the meeting of the EU - Moldova Association Council scheduled for this April. Until then, the assessment reports presented by the European institutions should be finalized and mandatory approved of.
The EU will provide the money only if it feels that sufficient concrete results were achieved so as to moderate the accusations that it supports the ruling party in an electoral year and in exchange for partial reforms, concluded the expert.
