The European Commission submitted the draft negotiating framework with the Republic of Moldova to the European Council and now the member states are to pronounce on this draft. This is stated in the conclusions adopted by the European Council at its March 21 meeting in Brussels, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gerasimov announced at a press conference, being quoted by IPN.
“The conclusions clearly state that the European Council welcomes the progress made by Ukraine and Moldova in doing the necessary reforms on our path towards EU accession. The member states invite the Council to swiftly adopt the negotiating framework and take the next steps without delay,” said Gerasimov.
The Moldovan authorities would like this negotiating framework to be adopted as soon as possible and the first intergovernmental conference to be held in the nearest future so as to mark the official opening of the accession negotiations. “The holding of the first intergovernmental conference, which we hope will take place in the coming months, is a key moment in the next stages. This intergovernmental conference will provide us with that negotiating framework without which we cannot start negotiations by chapters. But until the opening of one chapter or another, we will continue evaluating the national legislation in relation to the legislative and normative framework of the EU,” noted the official.
The Deputy Prime Minister specified that the Commission’s decision was based on the meeting of the General Affairs Council, which was held on March 19 and was attended by ministers and state secretaries for European affairs of the EU member states. The latest developments in Moldova were discussed there, including progress on the Commission’s three remaining recommendations. “Two these are already considered fulfilled by the Commission. We refer to strengthening of the capacities of the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office and de-oligarchization. Over the recommendation related to the evaluation of prosecutors and judges, the Commission noted that significant progress was ascertained,” said Cristina Gerasimov.
According to her, a lot of work is still needed to maintain the accelerated pace and the country should have an upright prosecutor general elected transparently, based on strictly professional criteria, as soon as possible. It is also necessary to appoint new judges to the Supreme Court of Justice as swiftly as possible. “The pace of progress on reforms depends on the pace of progress on the path towards EU accession,” stated the official.
Cristina Gerasimov said that also on March 19, the European Commission adopted a strategic document on the internal reform of the European Union and the review of policies to prepare for the next enlargement of the EU. “In other words, the EU is already preparing to welcome new members. At the same time, the document says it clearly that the European Union and candidate states must be well prepared. The joining process should be based on merit and on strong and lasting political commitment. Therefore, it is crucial that the European integration is given strong support in the referendum that is to be held this autumn so as to confirm the people’s decision to enshrine our country’s European development course in the Constitution,” noted the official.
