Verklaring Van Rompuy tijdens bezoek parlement Republiek Moldavië (en)

EUCO 43/11

PRESSE 229

PR PCE 18

Remarks by Herman Van Rompuy i,

President of the European Council

following his meeting with Marian Lupu

Acting President and Speaker of Parliament

of the Republic of Moldova

Mr President, it is a pleasure to be able to meet you here in Chisinau this time around - my first visit to Moldova. I am happy to be here in this dynamic period.

I just met Prime Minister Filat and had and fruitful discussion about the EU-Moldova relationship.

Dear President, our debate focused on the political developments in Moldova and the situation in Transnistria.

I would like to underline that the EU strongly values the work done by the government. Reforms are a necessity to ensure Moldova's prosperity and stability in the long term. It is reassuring that the recent local elections have confirmed that there is broad popular support for the policy of reforms and also on strengthening Moldova's European vocation.

The EU, as you know, is intent on furthering its concrete support and to implement the "more for more" principle. In other words, the more Moldova does in terms of reforms, the more the EU can do to help and support. This goes particularly for those areas which we see as priorities to consolidate Moldova's democratic development, such as the fight against corruption, and the reform of the judicial and law enforcement systems.

On this, the speed and quality of further reforms depend also upon the Moldovan Parliament and authorities. All political forces should feel responsible for agreeing on a way out of the institutional deadlock. Stability is a perspective for any courageous policy.

Finally on Transnistria. The region and especially Moldova and its people deserve an end to this dispute that has divided the country for far too long. We now need a formal negotiating process with the aim of reaching a political settlement.

Mr President, the EU has a stake in Moldova's future. A successful Moldova would become an important puzzle piece towards a Europe at peace. And perhaps equally important, Moldova could also become a model for other countries in the region.

Thank you