Slow reforms lead to people’s distrust in anticorruption measures, statements

The people’s distrust in the anticorruption measures is fueled by the inappropriate implementation of the legislation, the formalism in carrying out anticorruption activities and the inappropriate penalization of the persons accused of acts of corruption. The slow process of implementing institutional reforms is also to blame. Related opinions were stated in the National Anticorruption Conference that was staged by the National Anticorruption Center on December 10, Info-Prim Neo reports. In the opening of the conference, Prime Minister Vlad Filat said the commitments to the international community are made not only in order to show to the European Union or other foreign partners how good rapporteurs we are, but also for the Moldovan people’s benefit. “The fight against corruption is not periodic. It must be an absolute priority. This year, we carried out a number of reforming activities in this respect, including the reform of the National Anticorruption Center and the creation of the National Integrity Commission. There are yet a series of laws that must be adopted,” said the Premier. The Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Dirk Schuebel told the same news conference that the country made progress in combating corruption. He said that besides being a basis for Moldova’s development, the prevention and combating of corruption represent a priority in the Moldova - EU Visa Liberalization Action Plan. U.S. Ambassador to Moldova William Moser said that Moldova follows the right path in the fight against corruption. In order to accelerate this process, the state should apply the zero tolerance policy to corruption. Those attending said the whole society should engage in the fight against corruption, while those who take bribe and those who offer bribe should bear responsibility equally. The officials consider that when nobody gives bribe, nobody will take bribe. In the conference, there were presented the National Anticorruption Center’s report and the measures taken to reform the Ministry of the Interior and the justice sector. A topic for discussion was also the involvement of all the players in combating corruption.