CoE to continue monitoring Moldova until it does its homework

The Council of Europe (CoE) is willing to support the procedure for finishing the period of monitoring Moldova, but not before its homework regarding the democratic development is done, Egidijus Vareikis, rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), who was on a fact-finding visit to Moldova, told Wednesday November 15 a news conference. According to the official, Strasbourg will pay attention to the democratic institutions’ development, suggesting that only if the European forum convinces itself that they are suitably operating, the monitoring will end. Vareikis mentioned that he personally wishes Moldova concludes this process as soon as possible, but first of all it has to become a real democratic country. “Moldova is the country with the longest period for monitoring – of 12 years, lasting from 1995 to 2007”, the official said. PACE official declared that over the past years Moldova achieved progress in certain fields as freedom of press, combating of corruption etc. The Parliament approved important laws, but the adoption of the legal framework is not sufficient, as certain final guarantees that the laws will be implemented are lacking. Vareikis added that CoE will monitor the elections in Gagauzia. It is a good test regarding the efficiency of the laws in the field of the local public administration, he stated. When asked on the legal proceedings initiated against certain political leaders in Moldova, Vareikis said that such things happened in many states, but he is not familiar with the details of the lawsuits in Moldova. Nevertheless, he reminded that there is a recommendation on the part of PACE to guarantee by law that MPs can fully carry on their duties without losing their mandate or immunity for political reasons. The official found that this recommendation was not accepted by Moldova. PACE rapporteurs framed a report on the state of affairs in Moldova. Its first project will be available in early spring next year.