European integration depends on political will rather than on constitutional provisions, Dumitru Diacov

[Info-Prim Neo survey of the “Moldova-20! Whereto?” series with the president of honor of the Democratic Party of Moldova Dumitru Diacov, leader of the Democratic parliamentary group] [– Do you agree that Moldova’s pro-European orientation should be laid down in the Constitution in order to guarantee the continuation of the modernization process? Will this process be interrupted if no such provisions are included in the Constitution?] – I believe that Moldova’s European integration depends on the political will of the Government, the behavior and decisions of the political class and the will of the people who ‘produce’ this political class once in four years rather than on constitutional provisions. The European integration has been stipulated in the government programs since 1999, but where are we now? Do you think that a constitutional provision can hasten this process? It may happen that our governments will break the Constitution if the country does not become part of the EU for different reasons, including because of the EU’s strategy! Thus, the inclusion of provisions in the supreme law is a topic for wider discussions – on our responsibility and the prospects of our country. [– May the Constitution be amended in Parliament or by referendum? Will the entire political class, including the opposition, and, eventually, society back such amendments?] – If we address this issue in the context of our realities, such modifications can be made by referendum rather than in Parliament. [– How can such changes affect the Transnistrian conflict settlement process?] – I repeatedly said that Moldova, as an independent and sovereign state, cannot be integrated into the EU by damaging the relations with Russia and all our neighbors. Consequently, the Transnistrian region cannot be affected. [Mariana Galben, Info-Prim Neo] {[Info-Prim Neo Note:] More details as regards the guaranteeing of the irreversibility of the process of the country’s modernization can be found in part I of the analysis “Moldova without internal enemies” that was published on August 1, and in part II that was published on August 9, 2011.}