Representatives of European entities to Chisinau ask Moldovan authorities to improve electoral law

Representatives of the EU member countries and of European entities to Chisinau ask the Moldovan authorities to improve the legal frame regulating the electoral process, Info-Prim Neo reports. In a joint statement disseminated on Thursday, 9 embassies and two EU offices to Chisinau “urge the Moldovan authorities, as soon as possible, in view of the 2009 national elections to submit the Electoral Code for expertise to the Council of Europe and the OSCE and to take full account of their recommendations in particular regarding the electoral threshold, the electoral blocs and the effective exercising of the right of being elected by all citizens. The compliance of the Electoral Code with the international standards will only enhance the democratic stability of the Republic of Moldova.” The signatories underline that the freedom of expression, a plural and independent media as well as free access to objective, diverse and balanced information are of crucial importance for voters to establish their electoral preferences on the basis of an informed choice. “While the Republic of Moldova has made good progress in improving the legal framework on freedom of expression, we remain concerned with regard to actions taken by law enforcement bodies against the media, the editorial independence of Teleradio Moldova and the pluralism of the broadcasting sector throughout the country . We are witnessing an increase of actions of harassment of some state bodies against representatives of different political parties or people that adhere to their programs. Such situations could jeopardize the prospective of the pre-electoral environment for the holding of legislative elections in 2009,” reads the declaration. Visible progress in exercising freedom of expression and organizing the 2009 elections in full compliance with the OSCE, the Council of Europe and other international commitments would be strong arguments for the Republic of Moldova to achieve enhanced EU-Moldova relations, the declaration points out. The diplomatic missions show availability to assist the Moldovan authorities in realizing these objectives. The declaration has been signed by the embassies of Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Britain, the Delegation of the European Commission to Moldova and the EU Special Representative to Moldova.