Brussels, 27/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - Although the political crisis that hit Moldova in early 2013 threatened the transformation process, the election of a new government in May enabled the political dialogue with the EU to be resumed, stated the European Commission in its progress report on Moldova which was published on Thursday 27 March. The Commission particularly highlights the initialling of the association agreement in November, and success in implementing the action plan on visa liberalisation.
The reforms continued, the Commission noted. Underlining “the need for consistent political will and policy predictability to ensure effective implementation” of the European neighbourhood policy action plan, Moldova “is invited” to organise the parliamentary elections planned for the end of November, “in line with European and international standards for democratic elections”. The country must prevent the resurgence of institutional deadlock by revising the constitution and clarifying the competencies of the constitutional court. “Work to de-politicise and professionalise the central and local public administration continued”, stated the Commission. It calls on Moldova to deepen reform of the public administration and to make progress on media independence.
In 2013, judicial reforms and the fight against corruption, the implementation of the action plan on human rights, and regulatory and sectoral reforms progressed. These efforts must be continued, the Commission recommends. And even if little progress was made regarding Transnistria, Moldova maintained its dialogue with this separatist region and should continue its efforts, the Commission concludes. (CG)