Europe for the Republic of Moldova

The EU has reiterated its support for the Republic of Moldova, but still expects far-reaching reforms.

Bogdan Matei, 17.06.2016, 14:15

Due to the lack of
predictability of its policies, the Republic of Moldova has become a hot potato
for the EU. In 2014, the country was unanimously seen as the most successful
member of the Eastern Partnership, a programme package by means of which
Brussels is trying to bring former Soviet countries in line with the western
standards of democracy, legitimacy and prosperity.

The convincingly
promoted reforms of the then coalition government in Chisinau, headed by Iurie
Leanca, were validated by the association and free trade agreements signed with
the EU. At the end of that same year, the coalition made up of the
Liberal-Democratic Party, the Democratic Party and the Liberal Party won the
legislative elections by a landslide, to the detriment of the Socialists and
the pro-Russian communists. However, the winners were incapable of managing
their success. In one and a half year, no less than seven political figures
were either forced to resign the office of Prime-Minister, failed to get the
investiture vote or did not manage to come up with a government formula.

In the meantime,
the opposition would constantly accuse the administration of corruption, as
during its term in office no less than one billion dollars – accounting for
some 15% of the country’s GDP – went missing from the banking system. The long
agony ended on January 20th this year, when the pro-European
government headed by Pavel Filip was invested, as a result of being voted by a
heterogeneous majority, from liberals to former communists.

France and Romania
are co-chairs of the European Action Group for the Republic of Moldova, and, on
the eve of his visit to Chisinau on Thursday and Friday, alongside the French
Secretary of State Harlem Desir, the Romanian Foreign Minister Lazar Comanescu
explained:

Our visit there
is, on the one hand, a clear message that we are paying attention to and are
interested in the EU consolidating its relations with the Republic of Moldova.
Also, we believe that in order to strengthen this rapprochement with the EU,
the Republic of Moldova must carry on its reforms.

Solving the
problems of its justice system, fighting against corruption and improving the
business environment are all indispensable to the Republic of Moldova, if the
country wants to benefit to the fullest from the support of the EU and of the
international community, the French diplomat said. The reforms are not about
what Brussels is expecting, but about what the citizens of the Republic of
Moldova need, said in an interview to Radio Romania International the
co-president of the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee, the
Romanian MEP Andi Cristea. He stated that, consolidating democracy and creating
new jobs also translate into better living conditions for citizens.