Toespraak Van Rompuy na zijn bezoek aan premier Filat van Moldavië (en)

EUROPEAN COUNCIL

EN

THE PRESIDENT

Chisinau, 6 July 2011 EUCO 42/11 PRESSE 228 PR PCE 17

Remarks by Herman Van Rompuy i President of the European Council following the meeting with Vladimir Filat Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova

Thank you for inviting me to Chisinau. Moldova is known amongst travellers for its hospitality and now I really understand why!

It is a privilege to be here during such a dynamic period in your country. The Republic of Moldova has proven that political transition can be peaceful, that free and fair elections and genuine commitment to reform can turn democratic values into reality.

Prime-Minister Filat and I had a very useful and timely discussion. We discussed four important issues: the political developments in Moldova; the rapidly developing relationship between the EU and Moldova; the Eastern Partnership; and the Transnistria issue.

On the first point, the EU strongly values the work done by yourself, Mr Prime Minister, and your government. We know that the reforms you are pushing for are difficult. I completely agree with you that reforms are necessary to ensure Moldova's prosperity and stability in the long term.

The recent local elections have confirmed that there is broad popular support for government reforms and for strengthening Moldova's European vocation.

The EU is ready to offer further concrete support for your efforts and to implement the "more for more" principle. By this I mean that 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:

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  the fight against corruption,
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  the reform of the judicial and law enforcement systems,
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  comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation
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  the improvement of the investment climate, and
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  reforms needed to enter negotiations on a Deep Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, such as in the areas of competition and state aid.

The Prime Minister informed me about the internal political problem i.a. the election of a President. Political stability is of utmost importance in this difficult period, to ensure the sustainability of the reform process.

Secondly, on the EU-Moldova relations, we confirmed the positive dynamics also on the EU-side. Some of the recent progress is worth mentioning:

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  The work and negotiations of the Association Agreement is moving forward energetically. We had another productive round of negotiations yesterday in Brussels.
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  The EU has adopted mandates for negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement and for a Comprehensive Aviation Agreement.
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  There has been good progress on the implementation of the Visa liberalisation and Action Plan.
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  The EU has started delivering on its commitments to provide 550 million euro in assistance to your country from 2011 to 2013. In addition, Moldova is likely to receive part of the assistance that the EU has made available for all countries in the Neighbourhood policy according to the "more for more" - principle.
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  In particular, we stand ready to support your to reform the judicial system and law enforcement system up to 50 Mio EUR.

Thirdly, in addition to our bilateral relationship, the Eastern Partnership offers a regional framework of action and reforms, economically and politically. This partnership is a vehicle to promote good neighbourly relations. It is a valuable instrument designed to support those who seek an ever closer relationship with the European Union although in a differentiated way.

We see Moldova as one of the frontrunners of the Partnership. Finding a constructive resolution with Ukraine to the Palanca border issue you gave another proof of your commitment in this regards, for which I would like to congratulate you. This will hopefully help to solve the other outstanding border demarcation issues.

I look forward to the Eastern Partnership Summit, hosted by Polish Prime Minister Tusk in Warsaw at the end of September. It will be an excellent opportunity to confirm the importance of the Union's relations with its eastern neighbours, including Moldova, and to inject momentum for our future cooperation.

Fourth and finally, allow me to say a few words on the Transnistria issue. We now need a formal process with the aim of reaching a political settlement.

I sincerely regret that there was no progress in Moscow in June at the informal 5+2 meeting. Our hopes and expectations are therefore that the second round in Moscow in September will lead to the resumption of official 5+2 negotiations. The 5+2 format is the only format able to deliver a viable solution, and should therefore be respected.

The region and especially Moldova and its people deserve an end to this dispute that has divided the country for far too long.

Mr Prime Minister, the European Union has a stake in Moldova's future. A successful Moldova would become an important puzzle piece toward a Europe whole, free and at peace. And perhaps equally important, Moldova could also become a model for other countries in the region.

Thank you again for hosting this visit, and for an interesting start of my day here in Chisinau -- I am looking forward to my further meetings, also with leaders of the opposition, and also to having dinner in one of the famous Moldovan wine cellars tonight!.