Peter Michalko, the head of the European Union Delegation to Chisinau, says that the EU will assess the state of current and future affairs in the Republic of Moldova. "We will always give an honest assessment regarding implemented change. We also understand that this process of change will be a long-term one and will require some difficult decisions, sometimes very complex, which need more that a week or month to happen. We hope that the citizens realize this as well”, said the ambassador in an interview for DW.
Asked how he assesses the relations between the EU and Moldova five years into the Association Agreement, Peter Michalko said that the Association Agreement and the Free Trade Agreement brought a higher quality of cooperation. Additionally, the official says that this gave the opportunity to reach the political association and economic integration goals and objectives of the relationship. During these 5 years of the Association Agreement implementation, there has been a very large increase in cooperation, especially in the economic and commercial fields. Thus, 70% of exports from the Republic of Moldova reach the European market, the strongest and safest market, where Moldovan products have found many consumers.
“Unfortunately, we experienced no progress in some sectors. For example, stagnation in the field of justice reform and regress in terms of the standards of democracy and the rule of law. We hope that from now on we will discern improvements. With a new government, with a reform program, we will see a quick and efficient implementation of the Association Agreement, which will bring better standards of living to the citizens of the Republic of Moldova”, the ambassador noted.
The official also confirmed that it is true that until June 2019 no progress in the implementation of the Agreement was registered and that in order to respect the standards, which must be present in the relations of the Republic of Moldova with the EU, especially those related to democracy, rule of law and justice, a strong will is required. "But now we see political will, which was the main cause for these shortcomings in the past. The new government has it and has already expressed it during its first steps. We continue to be on the side of the Republic of Moldova and its citizens, we continue to offer assistance and we have already resumed budget support payments. One thing must be clear. Our attitude towards conditionality will not change and conditionality remains part of our relationship. Moldovan authorities must continue to have political will necessary to make these changes, which are expected by the people", said Peter Michalko.
Asked about the fact that for the first time that the West and the East reach a consensus to support a parliamentary majority between two parties with different views and about the lifespan of this agreement, the ambassador stressed that the EU has not and does not base its attitude on geopolitics. "The parties that formed a majority did it based on the values I mentioned above. They expressed a desire to democratize the Republic of Moldova and to eliminate the factors that have harmed democracy and the rule of law. We hope that the current government's effort will continue for as long as possible. The reform program must be implemented decisively and bring results that can be felt by the people”, said the ambassador.
