In an article of the Op-Ed rubric published on May 22, author Dionis Cenusa says the implementation of reforms turns into a difficult mission for the authorities because the commitments to the EU become more concrete, while the representatives of civil society more active, incisive and, respectively, dangerous for politicians and defective policies turns. Even if the promises to Brussels are clearer, the government of Moldova anyway manages to juggle with these by overlapping, delaying or hurrying them, depending on its political priorities. The government cannot yet manipulate the representatives of the NGO sector that are actively involved in monitoring and signaling the earlier deviations of the authorities. The lack of control over the independent civil society bothers the ruling party, which is the Democratic Party. Partially, this is due to the harmonious cooperation between the NGO sector and the European institutions. The opinions of civil society are attentively listened to in Brussels, which acutely needs reliable local partners in Moldova and in other states of the Eastern Partnership so as to objectively assess the real progress in doing reforms.

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On May 22, Chisinau hosted the fourth meeting of the EU – Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee that centered on the reforms in such areas as justice, corruption fighting, public administration, electoral system and freedom of the media. Mihai Ghimpu, co-chairman of the Committee, said the advancement on the path of European integration remains the key objective of Moldova’s Parliament. MEP Andi Cristea, co-chairman of the Committee, said the European Parliament recognizes the efforts made by the Government of Moldova to do the undertaken reforms.

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The recommendations of the Venice Commission about the electoral system reform in Moldova should be taken into account by the Moldovan authorities so that they later adopt a balanced decision, MEP Andi Cristea said in a news conference held after the fourth meeting of the EU – Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee. Andi Cristea, who is the co-chairman of the EU – Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee on behalf of the European Parliament, said the European Union cannot take someone’s side in the issue concerning the modification of the Moldovan electoral system. The MEP spoke about the decision to delay the provision of €100 million in financial assistance to Moldova by the European Parliament, until the Venice Commission presents its appraisal of the bill to amend the Election Code.

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Prime Minister Pavel Filip had a meeting with the delegation of the European Parliament that came to Chisinau to take part in the fourth meeting of the EU – Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee. The sides exchanged opinions on the short- and medium-term priorities of the cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and the EU that are defined in the national plan of action for implementing the 2017-2019 Association Agenda. Pavel Filip reiterated the executive’s firm commitment to promote the agenda aimed at transforming the state so that it serves the interests of the state, noting the constant assistance provided by the European Parliament in promoting the European course of the Republic of Moldova. The Prime Minister referred to the concept of the public administration reform that was proposed for public consultations, underlining the necessity of appropriately implementing this reform.

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Inhabitants from Gura Bicului and Bicioc villages will enjoy improved services in the local Family Medical Center. In Gura Bicului village, Anenii Noi district, the medical facility that assists people from both banks of the Nistru River was refurbished in the framework of the EU-funded Support to Confidence Building Measures Program, implemented by the UNDP. With €171,060 provided by the EU, equivalent of the village’s annual budget, extensive reconstruction works were conducted at the medical facility. The community contributed €2,223. Since 2009, within the EU - funded Support to Confidence Building Measures Program, over 80 social institutions from both banks of the Nistru River were refurbished or even built, endowed with equipment and furniture. Of these, 17 are medical facilities.

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The supporters of the modification of the electoral system didn’t show capacity and political will to communicate between them, with society and with the foreign partners. The lack of consensus needed on the issue derives from here. But the coming of EU financing to Moldova and the creation of normal conditions for modernizing the country and increasing the living standards of its people depend on this consensus. The IPN analysis “Shortage of communication and of consensus on “mixed-uninominal” voting system” that was published on May 23 examines the behavior of the main political players involved in the dispute concerning the change in the voting system and their relationship with the foreign partners.

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The bill to reform the Cabinet will be approved within two weeks, Prime Minister Pavel Filip said on May 22. According to the new organogram, the Premier will have three deputies, in charge of labor, health and social protection, country reunification issues and the European integration.

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Education specialists from Moldova and Romania analyzed the results of the international assessment PISA-2015, revealed by studies carried out by scholars of Soros Foundation Moldova, and formulated proposals for modernizing the national education system. Octavian Ticu, a member of the Council of Education Experts of the education project of Soros Foundation Moldova, said the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU offered the possibility of Europeanizing the education system of Moldova. However, the school failed to create a homogenous society in Moldova as the largest part of the population continues to be divided in terms of language and identity and this is a very serious thing. The PISA program is an extraordinary occasion for generating suggestions for educational practices and policies based on the results achieved by Moldova and this shows the country’s position compared with other states.

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The three countries that signed Association Agreements with the EU - Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia – decided to set up a joint platform for communication with the European Union, IPN reports. The initiative to set up such a platform was put forward by Moldova, co-president of the EuroNest Parliamentary Assembly Marian Lupu said after this body’s meeting of that was held in Chisinau. He noted that the meeting of the EuroNest Standing Bureau discussed aspects of the participation in the Eastern Partnership Summit that will take place in Brussels this November, which is a special opportunity for each country to promote its interests. Among other subjects discussed was the participation in the meeting of the foreign affairs ministers of the EU and EaP member states. In this meeting, the Moldovan officials will draw attention to the priorities set by the EuroNest Parliamentary Assembly to develop the relations between the EuroNest member states and the European Union.

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The first apicultural center in the northern development region was set up in Cupcini town of Edinet district with Romanian funds. According to the Ministry of Regional Development and Construction, the grant provided by the Government of Romania came to over €150,000. The center will benefit beekeepers from 11 districts. Romania’s Ambassador to Moldova Daniel Ionita encouraged the development of the beekeeping sector. “I’m glad to see that the provided money was invested in this apicultural center that meets the European standards,” he stated.

The summary of news from the IPN series “European Integration” is produced with support from the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany and can be further disseminated on condition that the source is indicated.