Pre-electoral visit by PACE delegation to Moldova

A delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), comprising Andres Herkel (Estonia) - Head of delegation ad interim - and Ioannis Banias (Greece), will be undertaking a pre-electoral observation mission in Chisinau on 5 and 6 March, prior to the parliamentary elections to be held in Moldova on 5 April 2009, reads a press release by the PACE, tendered to Info-Prim Neo news agency. The delegation is due to meet Vladimir Voronin, President of the Republic, Marian Lupu, Speaker of Parliament, Vitalie Parlog, Minister of Justice, the leaders of the political parties taking part in the elections and the leaders of the main opposition parties not represented in parliament. Talks are also scheduled with the Moldovan parliamentary delegation to the PACE, the President of the Central Electoral Commission and representatives of civil society and the media.