U.S. Ambassador to Moldova James D. Pettit, giving a public lecture to students of the Institute of International Relations, said the scourge of corruption must be fought and this is the most serious challenge. According to Radio Free Europe, the diplomat said that everyone wants to see a democratic government that is accountable to the people and functionaries who will serve the people. Also, everyone wants to see a clear reform agenda, not only statements or very good laws on paper only, IPN reports.
“A large part of the laws here are very good. The problem resides in the rulers. Do you feel that these represent you? If not, there are several ways by which you can hold them accountable: in the next parliamentary elections to choose those who you think represent you or to state publicly your dissatisfaction, but in a peaceful and legal manner,” the diplomat told the students.
James Pettit said that the key to success for Moldova is to have good relations with everyone. “The reaction of the Russian Federation, which I consider an emotional one, to impose a ban in response to the Republic of Moldova’s decision to sign the Association Agreement with the EU closed the Russian market for Moldovan exports. What was the result? The export of products from here to the European market increased. I don’t know if this is what the Russian Federation wanted. I think yet it will be right for the Government to be interested in developing the relations with Moscow. I also think that the Moldovan producers should look for other markets too,” stated the ambassador.
As regards the relationship with the development partners – the group consisting of the embassies of the Western countries, the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund – the diplomat said the Republic of Moldova cannot be saved by the external partners and the solution to the economic crisis is very simple – to fight corruption, to reform the justice sector and to improve the situation of the banking institutions.
