Respect for rule of law was a political precondition for disbursing assistance, EU ambassador
The Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Peter Michalko said the EU expects the Moldovan authorities will find a solution to ensure the respect for the Chisinau citizens’ vote. In an interview for Radio Free Europe’s Moldovan Service, the official reminded that this request was clearly formulated in the joint statement issued by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and European Commissioner for Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn and also in the European Parliament’s resolution, IPN reports.
“It is a clear call to a possible action as all the legislative or administrative instruments are in the government’s hands,” stated Peter Michalko.
The EU ambassador rejected the Moldovan authorities’ assertion that the suspension in the macro-financial assistance will help the opposition win the upcoming parliamentary elections.
“No one can say this suspension was unexpected given that the respect for the democratic standards and the rule of law was a political precondition for disbursing the assistance,” explained the official.
At the suggestion of the Group of the European People’s Party, the European Parliament, with 345 votes for, 160 abstentions and 35 votes against, on July 5 adopted a resolution by which it calls on the European Commission to suspend any foreseen payments of macro-financial assistance and budget support to Moldova. The MEPs consider any decision on the future payments should be taken only after the planned parliamentary elections and on condition that these are held in accordance with the internationally recognized standards and are assessed by specialized international organizations.
