Moldovan speaker attends S.E.E.C.P. Conference

Moldovan Speaker Marian Lupu attended the Conference of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) on Friday, March 17, stating to the Greek parliament that it is for the first time in Moldovan parliamentary history that the speaker takes part in an SEECO event. According to a press release of the Moldovan parliament, Lupu said that the European integration perspective is one of the milestones that unconditionally guide all the SEECP countries, including Moldova. He noted that “this perspective represents a commitment for the future: a commitment for a Europe of peace, stability and security, for a Europe of equal opportunities, for a Europe strong in values, and strong in its diversity.” Lupu underlined that the SEECP appears as an efficient tool to contribute to a coherent pro-European movement of the countries of the region, aiming at a sustainable economic growth, promoting democracy and respect for human rights. In this context, the regional co-operation provides SEECP countries with more focused assistance and expertise on E.U. integration, transforming the South-East European Cooperation Process into a forum for dialogue, for political and economic consultations on the common concerns of the region. Lupu noted that the Chisinau Parliament has set the following priorities: observance of democratic standards and the rule of law as basic preconditions for any political and institutional reforms; establishing an independent judiciary that complies with the European Union’s standards and norms; establishing a relevant framework and mechanism to streamline the harmonisation of the national legislation with the principles of the Acquis Communautaire; boosting social and economic development, strengthening administrative capacities, ensuring a functional socially-oriented market economy with a favourable investment climate, fighting corruption, etc.; finding a peaceful and final resolution of the Transnistrian problem on the basis of the country’s Constitution and international law standards. SEECP is a non-institutionalized regional cooperation structure. It was created in 1996 and includes Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia-Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia. Moldova obtained observer status in 2004. Greece chairs the SEECP at present.