Brussels, 20/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - The political dialogue between the EU and Moldova continued to deepen in 2012 and Chisinau made progress in nearly all areas of the action plan with the EU, the Commission's progress report for 2012 - which was published on 20 March - points out. It states that the negotiations on the establishment of a deep and comprehensive free trade area began in February, and that Moldova finalised the first phase of an action plan on visa liberalisation. Chisinau continued its reforms in the areas of public administration, social aid, health and education, energy, competition and state aid. However, much remains to be done in the fight against corruption, reforms of the judicial system and in application of the law. The current political situation, with the fall of the government, is tense.
The Commission therefore asks Moldova to make great progress in the judicial reform and in the fight against corruption, and to continue to improve its customs procedures. Moldova must prevent the resurgence of institutional blockages by revising its constitution. Full implementation of the national action plan for human rights is required. Chisinau must accelerate its public administration reform, take action on decentralisation, continue the process of privatisation, and improve its business environment. The country must continue its efforts with regard to visas, continue its sectoral reforms and move closer to the acquis in the area of trade in parallel with the deep and comprehensive free trade area negotiations. Proactive engagement with Transnistrian is required. (CG/transl.fl)