The Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola considers the EU’s resolution whereby the Government of Moldova is asked to continue to do reforms is an encouraging, but very conditionally encouraging message. “It is also a rather tough message that puts in quite strong expectations,” the ambassador said in an interview for Radio Free Europe, quoted by IPN.

According to the diplomat, this conditional encouragement envisions fewer statements, bur concrete actions, including a program with the International Monetary Fund. “We should see that framework that will allow us to channel our assistance, our aid for the benefit of the people of this country,” stated Pirkka Tapiola.

The official noted that very clear timelines are needed as to when the reforms will be done. “There is a need for clear timelines on when certain reforms will be delivered and I think all of us are looking forward to seeing those timelines. One first timeline we have is the Association Council, in mid-March, and it will be very important already before then to have a clear idea when will this be done, what is the plan of implementing these reforms,” said the diplomat.

Pirkka Tapiola noted that “if you look at the Association Agreement, you can take the box and say we have adopted this law, we have put these regulations, we have done this, this, this. But unless you have rule of law, unless basic rule of law functions, all that work is relatively useless because it is through the rule of law that all the agreements, all the support, all the help we can give will be really delivered to the Moldovan population.”