Eurocommissaris Füle bespreekt politieke situatie Moldavië (en)

European Commission

MEMO

Brussels, 29 October 2013

Moldova: with leaders of coalition parties on strengthening the EU agenda

Commissioner Štefan Füle i met leaders of coalition parties of Republic of Moldova in Brussels today and made the following statement:

'I met with political leaders from the Republic of Moldova, Mr Marian Lupu, Vladimir Plahotniuc, Vlad Filat, Valeriu Streleţ, Ion Hadârca and Oleg Bodrug. This is the result of our agreement, from 4 October, with all political parties, including the opposition, to stay in close touch on all issues related to Moldova’s European agenda.

We took stock of where Moldova stands after last spring’s political crisis. That crisis revealed a number of political and institutional issues that have to be addressed urgently and in line with European values. Political will is key in this regard.

By addressing them Moldova will be in a better position to implement fuly the Association Agreement to be initialled in Vilnius, and signed next year.

We discussed the substance - there were no secret or behind-the-scenes political deals. As a friend of Moldova and its citizens, I stressed the urgency of strengthening political accountability and transparency; pushing for judicial and law enforcement reforms; and the overarching importance of combatting corruption at all levels.

The Government needs to be fully supported in delivering on the implementation of the European agenda. Democratic institutions are to be strengthened and their integrity safeguarded to avoid any interference. The transparency of any future privatisation was agreed as being of key importance.

We agreed that inclusiveness had to be a firm/inseparable part of Moldova's European agenda. I stressed in that regard the importance of reaching out not only to all citizens, in line with Moldova's tradition of tolerance, but also engaging with all political parties.

It is also important to convey to all citizens in all parts of Moldova the substance and expected consequences of closer association with the EU. The impact will be positive and beneficial to all - stronger human rights protection, closer and more people to people contacts, but also more growth, more jobs, and lower prices for better quality products.

Indeed, not Vilnius, not Association, not even the EU should be goals in themselves; they should be first and foremost means to improve citizens’ social and economic conditions. This is what really counts, and what we have worked together for, since we adopted the EU-Moldova ENP Action Plan in 2005.

And while any kind of pressure on Moldova regarding its determination to have the Association Agreement with the EU is unacceptable, I emphasize that this Agreement is not at the expense of anyone - there are concrete benefits also for the neighbours of our neighbours.'