MEPs who form part of the Moldova – EU Parliamentary Association Committee that met in Chisinau said they appreciate the progress made by the Government in fulfilling the commitments assumed under the association agenda, reiterating their constant support for this effort. Prime Minister Pavel Filip on May 19 had a meeting with the delegation of the Members of the Europeans Parliament who came to Moldova to take part in the second meeting of the Committee, IPN reports, quoting the Government’s press service.
In a press briefing after the meeting, Pavel Filip said the discussion with the MEPs was cordial and constructive and was followed by an exchange of opinions about the reformation process in Moldova, the implementation of the Association Agreement and the measures stipulated in the priority reform action roadmap.
“We appreciate a lot the fact that the Republic of Moldova in 2016 remains on the list of priority countries of the European Parliament’s program. The assistance provided through this democratic support program is very useful and will help us to improve the current formula of cooperation between the Government and Parliament and to mechanisms for involving civil society in the process of implementing the Association Agreement,” stated the Premier.
The co-chairman of the Moldova – EU Parliamentary Association Committee Andi Cristea said the message of the MEPs is undoubtedly a support message because the Government’s task is not at all simple. “In our discussion, we analyzed concrete facts, not promises. The Republic of Moldova is going through recovery. We want the speed of this recovery to grow. For now, we are satisfied and I would say that the Republic of Moldova keeps to the schedule of removing the delays caused by the political turbulences of 2015,” he stated.
In the same connection, MEP Norica Nicolai underlined the importance of political stability and of the authorities’ will to implement the necessary reforms and to govern for the people’s benefit. “For me, it is important to have the guarantee that the government in Chisinau serves for the benefit of the people, not of interest groups or political parties. There is a coalition that supports this Government and I hope the politicians will be responsible and the Government will be stable, regardless of the electoral processes that will take place this year. The reforms are promising, realistic. We are at a beginning that is to be strengthened,” she said.
The European Parliament’s rapporteur for Moldova Petras Austrevicius said that Moldova is an important partner for the EU. “We appreciate the effort made by the current government. The situation is not simple, but, as I said, we are partners and didn’t came here as teachers who teach the students what to do. We are ready to cooperate and to help. Surely we demand that the promised things should be fulfilled, but we see a prosperous future for our cooperation,” he stated.
MEP Michał Boni noted that the association process is important not only for Moldova, but also for Europe. In the future, the powerful cooperation will produce mutual advantages for Moldova and Europe, which form part of a powerful global competition and powerful development.
On September 26, the Committee will meet in Brussels to analyze the country’s progress based on an assessment of the reformation process in the sector areas covered by the roadmap.
