Vlad Filat: 2012 was a difficult year for Moldova

The year 2012 was a difficult year for Moldova, as it faced a new wave of the international economic crisis, an unprecedented drought and the aftermath of an overlong constitutional crisis, stated Prime Minister Vlad Filat on Monday at a news conference summing up the Government's work in 2012, Info-Prim Neo reports. “Despite these difficult circumstances, we were able to see some major achievements in 2012: the President was elected, which created conditions of stability enabling further development for the country; we made progress towards our European integration objectives and we advanced reforms; and we continued to deliver on our commitments before the people of Moldova”, stated Vlad Filat. Filat further stated that in 2012 the efforts to strengthen the rule of law culminated with the adoption of a set of laws on judicial reform. “These laws aim to consolidate the system of the judiciary's self-governing bodies, improve their efficiency, and introduce new transparency measures in the process of delivering justice. Taken in a complex and systemic fashion, all these components, once interconnected, will help to reduce corruption in the justice sector”. On reintegration, Vlad Filat said that in 2012 much work was done within the framework of the negotiation rounds and at the level of the joint working groups. In particular, he highlighted as a success the resumption of rail traffic via the Transnistrian region. Vlad Filat said that this year was particularly difficult for the economy, as a result of both a new wave of the international economic crisis and this summer's drought. At the same time, in the last three years Moldova saw an aggregate GDP growth of 14%. “We expect the average monthly salary as of the end of this year to be 3,700 lei, which is by nearly 10% higher than last year. As of September 2012, employment rose from 94.7% to 95.2% and unemployment dropped from 5.3% to 4.8%”, said the Prime Minister. He added that this year 56 million lei was allocated on mitigating the effects of the drought and further 120 million lei will be offered in 2013. In the energy sector, the Government was able to extend by one year the existing gas supply agreement with Russia. “Regretfully, we weren't able to finalize negotiations on a new agreement, but the extension of the existing one offers us the certitude that in 2013 Moldova will be provided with gas”. Vlad Filat stated that the Government will continue to work to meet the expectations of the people.