The pre-vetting and vetting are the first stages in the process of cleaning up the justice system, said the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova Janis Mazeiks. According to him, the justice sector reform is one of the key recommendations put forward by the European Commission for opening accession negotiations, the European diplomat noted that President Maia Sandu’s decision to constitute an anticorruption tribunal was discussed with the foreign partners and this was welcomed, IPN reports.
The Head of the EU Delegation said the decision to open accession negotiations with the EU depends on the way in which the government in Chisinau manages to implement the nine recommendations. Important actions aimed at cleaning up the Moldovan justice sector have been already taken.
“As regards the justice sector reform, such concrete actions were taken as the pre-vetting that has lasted for a year already. As a result of this process, we have a functional SCM. This is a step. We are now having discussions on the vetting, which is the next stage. When these mechanisms start work, we hope that justice will be cleaner,” Janis Mazeiks stated in the program “In Depth” on ProTV Chisinau channel.
The European diplomat noted that the dissentions between the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office and the Nation Anticorruption Center affect the fight against corruption as the persons who are in conflict with the law profit from these disagreements between institutions.
“The institutions should fight corruption, but it now seems that they fight against each other. Evidently, in such a situation, those who should be the target rejoice. We hope they will find the ability to work together so that each of them does their job. It is important that the discussions be civilized and the ethical standards be respected. I didn’t hear the audio recording, but there is a fine line between being harsh and diplomatic,” stated the EU ambassador.
He also said that the idea of creating an Anticorruption Tribunal is welcome and the way in which this institution will work is the most important aspect.
“A meeting was held at the President’s Office and initial discussions were held with the international partners on the creation of an Anticorruption Tribunal. As you know, the devil is in the details. The general perception is good, but what matters for us is how this idea will be implemented, what the law will say and what are the safeguards,” noted Janis Mazeiks.
Under the conception presented by the President’s Office, the goal of the Anticorruption Tribunal will be to fight corruption, especially to ensure celerity in the examination of complex corruption cases. The institution will have at most 15 judges, who will be chosen at a contest by the Supreme Council of Magistracy based on merit and experience and will be named, including through transfer, by the President of the Republic of Moldova.
