Moldova must make progress in implementing reforms so as to be able to sign the Association Agreement with EU during the current mandate of the European Commission, the Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola said in his first press briefing after his appointment. The official told the journalists that the European Commission’s mandate expires next October, IPN reports.
Pirkka Tapiola underlined that Moldova is an incontestable leader in the Eastern Partnership, but this does not mean that it does not experience the problems faced by a society in transition. According to him, the business sector in Moldova is not clearly separated from the political one.
“The Association Agreement is an instrument of modernization. It lays the basis of this modernization. We open the EU market for Moldovan products in exchange for the reformation of the business sector. The standards applied to the EU companies will be applied to the Moldovan companies too. We didn’t negotiate a commitment allowing Moldova to export exclusively to the EU,” said Pirkka Tapiola.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova considers that the Association Agreement with the EU will boost the development of the Moldovan economy, but the people must have realistic expectations as the accord will not work miracles. Moldova will be further supported by the EU in implementing the initiated reforms.
“The EU assistance for Moldova is the largest in the Eastern Partnership. €100-€130 million is allocated annually for three sectors: rural and regional development, public administration reform and justice sector reform. The Association Agreement with the EU will bring advantages to the Moldovans if it’s implemented correctly and fully,” stated the official.
Pirkka Tapiola also said that the privatization process in Moldova must be transparent as the Free Trade Area with the EU can function only by full transparency.
