[Info-Prim Neo interview with Dirk Schuebel, Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova] [ - What do you think about the European Parliament’s September 15 Recommendations concerning Moldova’s prospect of joining the European Union? What new elements does it bring in the EU-Moldova relations in the process of European integration?] - I think that the European Parliament's Recommendations are, first of all, an incentive for Moldova and for its politicians to continue the good work that has started two years ago. It is not a secret that the European Union has been quite pleased with the cooperation that occurred over the last two years: we have achieved a lot and I think that the European Parliament acknowledges with these Recommendations the progress that has been achieved. It wants to encourage the Moldovan politicians and the Moldovan people to continue their hard work towards the approximation to the European Union. [ - What signals did the EU want to send to Moldova, and maybe not only Moldova, by adopting such an important document given the not very stable political situation in the Republic of Moldova?] - The European Parliament, as an institution of elected parliamentarians, wanted simply to give an encouraging sign to Moldova, in spite of the domestic political situation, to continue the reform efforts. I think it is also an encouragement that, besides the fact that the country has not been able to elect a president for about two years, the reform efforts can still continue. Obviously, the European Parliament, such as everybody else in the European Union, hopes that the country will soon elect a president; we hope that the Constitutional Court ruling will contribute to the solution of this problem. [ - How can these Recommendations influence the internal political situation in Moldova?] - We hope that the Recommendations will provide an impetus to the Moldovan politicians to move on with the reforms. I believe that all politicians in the country, including the opposition Communist Party, have in principle one objective, namely bringing Moldova closer to the European Union. However, it seems that the tactics how to achieve this strategic objective are not the same. So I think it is very important that the parties in Parliament and outside it unite around the idea to bring Moldova closer to the European Union and to do everything, at least on this front, besides the internal political battles, to move on with this important issue and to continue our already very intense cooperation. [ - What can you say about the political situation in Moldova? What are the possible scenarios - the AEI 2 will resist; the head of state will be elected; there will be held early elections; others?] - It is very difficult to prejudge the decision of the Constitutional Court, which will issue its ruling tomorrow. Of course, it is not an ideal situation when the country has not been able to elect a president for the last two years. However, all institutions are working, and we are also working together with these institutions. We are hoping that a president will soon be elected, because otherwise, as your Constitution foresees it, new early parliamentary elections will have to be held. It is not a secret that we have similar views as many politicians in this country that parliamentary elections will not change very much: it is possible that they would end up with very similar results as the last parliamentary elections in December last year. Therefore, we look forward to continue our cooperation; we are also ready to help in the process of electing a president. And we hope that the Constitutional Court ruling will contribute to more political stability in the country. [ - Before the 20th anniversary of Moldova’s independence, Info-Prim Neo News Agency published a series of materials centering on the necessity of Moldova stating in the Constitution that European integration is the country’s development vector. Such a constitutional stipulation would make the process of modernization irreversible, would temper political spirits which are about to explode with unforeseeable consequences, would set Moldovan society on the path of peace and social tolerance. What do you think about this, especially from the angle of the recent European Parliament’s recommendations?] - This is an interesting proposal. As an outsider, I cannot comment on what you should or should not put in your Constitution. However, as I said before, all the major parties are in favor of European integration for Moldova. In this context, I could assume that it might not be a bad idea to have such a notion in your Constitution. However, I also think that the most important thing it's not what is in the Constitution, but the practical work that is done by the politicians. And there, as I said, I hope we can continue the reform process; we have many ambitious plans: I'll just mention the negotiations on the Association Agreement, the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, the visa dialogue, which hopefully will soon enter its second phase, and the recently launched Aviation negotiations, which is another practical step of cooperation that will bring Moldova closer to the European Union. [Valeriu Vasilică, Info-Prim Neo]