The European Union earlier supported the Republic of Moldova in the process of doing reforms and is ready to continue to offer financial assistance, but the Moldovan authorities must implement key reforms and apply the provisions of the Association Agreement for the purpose, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn said in a news conference held after the second meeting of the Moldova – EU Association Council, IPN reports.
“Last month we decided to continue to follow the economic and political situation in Moldova and to support the people. In this meeting we agreed to assist the Republic of Moldova in implementing the reforms program assumed through the Association Agreement and this is a subject on which we want concrete results. We agree that the key reforms must be intensified. We discussed the necessity of depoliticizing the institutions, fighting systemic corruption and reforming the financial-banking sector,” said Federica Mogherini, who is also the Vice President of the European Commission.
The official noted that Prime Minister Pavel Filip explained how the Government plans to do reforms. “The real challenge is to obtain results and the EU is ready to support the Republic of Moldova, including financially, after the conditions are met,” stated Federica Mogherini.
Johannes Hahn said the meeting underlined the importance of the reforms in the justice sector and the financial-banking sector and of signing a new agreement with the IMF. “In this meeting we stressed that the EU is ready to support the country in the future too, if particular conditions are met, especially if concrete reforms are implemented. If we all work, we can achieve the results needed by the country and deserved by the citizens. I welcome the Government’s efforts and I’m glad that you decided to publish the roadmap on which we agreed. It is in the spirit of transparency and openness. If things go on like this, I’m optimistic about the country’s future,” said the European Commissioner.
Pavel Filip said the meeting of the Association Council confirms the role of the Agreement with the EU in doing reforms. “Marshaling forces with maximum responsibility, we managed to build a solid foundation for implementing reforms. Only this way will we be able to regain the people’s confidence. Only this way will we be able to make use of the benefits of the political and economic association with the EU. The discussions held in an open and constructive atmosphere allowed assessing the achieved results and setting plans for this year. We ascertained that we want a common thing – to make progress in the reformation process,” he stated.
The Premier added that the Government’s mission is not easy given the political and socioeconomic situation in the country, but the Cabinet is determined to take concrete actions and deliver results. “The messages of support that we received from the EU partners are very important because they give us courage, power and confidence,” said Pavel Filip.
The second meeting of the Moldova – EU Association Council was held in Brussels on March 14, 2016.
