The Ambassador of the United States James D. Pettit considers the signing by Moldova of the Association Agreement with the EU is a real success, but the success will continue and will bring results only if the country does the necessary reforms that it undertook and that are stipulated both in the Association Agreement and in the Deep and Compressive Free Trade Agreement. In an interview for Radio Free Europe, the diplomat said some modest results have been achieved – the reform in the education sector was started, the bill on the prosecution service is to be debated in Parliament and certain progress is seen in these actions, but the reforms should go faster, IPN reports.
James D. Pettit noted that the solution always comes from inside. Moldova has partners, including the U.S., the EU, the IMF and the World Bank, which helped it and will continue to help it, but reforms must be done at internal level. Despite the pressure exerted by Russia through the bans that economically affect Moldova and through the overwhelming influence of the Russian propaganda, it is very important that the Moldovan people realize that the choice is actually between the EU market and the market of the Customs Union, the first on being ten times larger.
Asked about the negotiations on the Transnistrian conflict, James D. Pettit said he would like to see more meeting in the “5+2” format that is a very important one and that is the only one that can ensure the resolving of the dispute, adding that the meetings in the 1+1 format also have a great impact.
Referring to the June 14 local elections, the official voiced hope that these will take place in a transparent manner and will really reflect the voters’ wish. Asked how the stealing of money from the three banks influenced Moldova’s image, James D. Pettit said the situation is surely not beneficial, but it must be remedied at internal level. This process implies not the assistance of the foreign donors or money, but structural changes for attracting investors and restoring confidence in the banking system and other sectors so that the foreign investors could start and develop businesses easier.
The ambassador also said that the Moldovan citizens must not lose hope even if there is impatience, and frustration and these feelings are shared by the representatives of the international community. Moldova is now anyway a very beautiful country with wonderful people who are educated and different and the potential of this country is a high one. It is important that everyone should prepare to make sacrifices when reforms are done so that there is no corruption in the country, while the government is responsible before the people.
