The Republic of Moldova will no develop from economic viewpoint if the potential investors do not have the conviction that the rule of law is respected. What is going on here now shows that this precondition is absent, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development Maria Flachsbarth stated in a conference in Chisinau entitled “Consolidation of confidence in democratic processes: legal and political challenges in the Republic of Moldova”. The event was staged on the initiative of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul”, IPN reports.
“As State Secretary, I can assure you that there will be no economic development if the potential investors do not have the conviction that there is rule of law in Moldova. How could investors from Germany come here and how could I encourage them to do this? What advice should I give to them if there are many divergent opinions about the rule of law? We only know that the people here are hardworking and they could work,” stated the German official.
Maria Flachsbarth noted all the facts that arouse suspicions as to the independence of justice cannot be “hidden under the carpet”. “Our biggest interest is to support Moldova and to accompany it on the path to democracy. I think it is possible to offer it this assistance. The people should be guaranteed the right to free and fair elections. There should be parties free from interests, oriented to the people, not to personal interests,” stated the Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Maria Flachsbarth said the political institutions in the Republic of Moldova should fulfil the commitments concerning the independence of justice and human rights and should take all the necessary measures for the rights of voters to be respected in the electoral process. The political parties and representatives of civil society should be able to cooperate when democracy and the rule of law are in danger. “Regrettably, confidence in politics in the Republic of Moldova is undermined from several parts, including through the non-transparent annulment of the election of the mayor general of Chisinau. I think distrust is created among the voters in the Republic of Moldova. How can they choose these persons if they understand that regardless of the decision they take, those from the upper level can do what they want. This is absolutely against all the democratic rules,” stated the German official.
She added that besides all the illegalities committed so far, there are also the fiscal amenity and suspicions that the ill-gotten gains will be legalized. These actions will strike each sincere and correct citizen. All the mentioned reasons made her give up having official meetings with representatives of the Government during her August 2-3 visit to Moldova. “This is not a signal that we will neglect Moldova, but those from the EU, the member states have a particular idea about democracy and the rule of law,” noted Maria Flachsbarth, reiterating that the EU does not impose partnerships and can only formulate recommendations. She encouraged the people in Moldova not to give up and to struggle for their rights.
