US ambassador advises Moldovan leadership to listen to Venice Commission

The observance of the rule of law and adherence to the Constitution is what the international partners expect from the leadership of Moldova in the course of actions taken to overcome the political crisis troubling the country, stated US Ambassador to Moldova Asif J. Chaudhry in an interview with Radio Free Europe’s local office on Friday. Asked what the ruling Alliance for European Integration should do to further enjoy the moral support of the international partners, the US ambassador said that this is a process that has involved an intensive and sensitive dialogue among the political forces in the Republic of Moldova. “I believe it’s up to the Moldovan leadership to discuss and determine what course of action it is going to take. I would simply say that in order to enjoy the moral support of the international partners, they must follow the rule of law and anything they do should be in adherence with the Constitution and the laws of this country”. The US ambassador thinks that in this regard the political leaders of Moldova should have a continuous dialogue with the Venice Commission in order to reach a final understanding that would be acceptable to all, but more importantly to the international experts, including the Venice Commission. This way this final understanding can have the required legitimacy, said the ambassador. “The final, the most important is the rule of law and the legality of the actions”, said Asif J. Chaudhry. On Thursday, Prime Minister Vlad Filat assured the US and EU ambassadors working in Moldova that the bill on the amendment of the Constitution and the possible modifications to the electoral legislation will be discussed with the Venice Commission first.