The leaders of the electoral bloc NOW DA PAS took note of the Party of Socialists’ invitation to discussions on the formation of a parliamentary majority. They were invited to the head office of the PSRM on March 12 at 3pm to discuss the establishment of political parliamentary cooperation relations. Details will be provided in a news conference on March 12, secretary general of the Party “Dignity and Truth Platform” Kiril Moţpan has told IPN.
Experts ascertained minor progress in implementing the Association Agreement with EU. According to the executive director of the Institute for European Policies and Reforms Iulian Groza, the second half of last year was marked by the lack of progress in in the political dialogue and reforms – Title II. Backsliding was witnessed as regards the quality of the EU – Moldova dialogue. No visible progress was made in investigating the banking fraud. There were identified selective justice practices that materialized in the delay in examining the appeal in the case of Shor. The funds stolen from the banking system weren’t recovered in the period. The law on noncommercial organizations wasn’t adopted. The process of creating an anticorruption court of law wasn’t initiated. Insignificant progress was made in justice, freedom and security – Title III – compared with the middle of 2018.
The bills that modify the pension indexation formula enabling to raise pensions by 5.3% on April 1 this year and that allow providing lump sums of 600 lei to pensioners and recipients of social benefits, which were approved by the Government by assuming responsibility for them on March 7, became laws as there was filed no motion of no-confidence. Until now pensions were indexed in accordance with the price rises the previous year. Under the new formula, pensions will be indexed depending on the average rise in prices for the past three years. According to the old formula, the indexation rate was of about 3%.
“When the political forces declare that a conflict that has lasted for tens of years and problematic issues should be settled swiftly, a question appears: do they really consider that their predecessors didn’t realize this?” spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova stated when she was asked to comment on President Igor Dodon’s statements about the possibility of rapidly resolving the Transnistrian dispute.
The European market is the main destination for the products from the Republic of Moldova. In 2006-2014, Moldova’s exports to the EU represented about 50% of all its exports, but rose from 61.9% in 2015 to 68.8% in 2018 following the creation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the EU. As to the exports to the CIS, after the ban imposed in 2006, the supplies to this market were later restored and in 2012 exceeded US$ 928 million. Since 2013, following the bans imposed on wine exports and then the introduction of customs duties and the banning of fruit and meat imports in 2014, exports to this region have declined continuously. In 2018, sales to the CIS constituted 15.4% of Moldova’s exports.
Last week a number of media outlets informed about Gagauzia’s wish to have its right to self-determination stipulated in the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova, in case Moldova loses the status of independent state. The news generated enough fuss, but this does not yet show the seriousness of the autonomous unit’s intentions. Pleading formally for strengthening the powers of Gagauzia, the People’s Assembly found itself involved in a situation that can discredit the bodies of power of the autonomous unit, said the author.
Fuel sellers will independently set and modify the retail prices of the main fuel products and liquefied petroleum gas, depending on consumption and sale costs, in accordance with the applied accounting standards, with an anual markup of an most 10%. This is provided in the new fuel pricing methodology that was approved by the National Agency for Energy Regulatory (ANRE) on March 11.
The constitution meeting of the newly elected Parliament will be chaired, as in the previous legislature, by the eldest dean Eduard Smirnov. The Socialist MP turns 80 this September.
After the Chisinau City Hall in January 2018 published the list of eight underground pedestrian passages that were to be repaired last year and this wasn’t done, the institution promises to repair five underground passageways this year.
Students are encouraged by the National Bank of Moldova to take part in the financial education events and exhibitions staged by it during March 25-29. The visitors could see a gold ingot, learn more about the security elements on the Moldovan leu and admire a collection of silver and gold jubilee and commemorative coins issued by the National Bank of Moldova or donated to it by other central banks in the exhibitions hall.
Details on IPN!
