Brussels, 13/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament gave its consent, on Thursday 13 November, to the EU-Moldova association agreement signed on 27 June (535 votes to 94, with 44 abstentions).
In adopting the report by Petras Austrevicius (ALDE, Lithuania), Parliament warmly welcomed the signing of the agreement, a clear acknowledgment of the success of Moldova's political and economic reform process and the significant progress achieved recently. MEPs urge the member states to ratify the agreement speedily. The Moldovan parliament has already done so, on 2 July.
Parliament also underlines the importance of continuing the reforms, including reform of the country's judicial system and public administration, tackling corruption at all levels, improving the investment and business climate, and human rights. It calls on the Moldovan authorities to ensure that the legislative elections of 30 November meet European and international criteria. Parliament is to send a delegation of seven MEPs as observers.
MEPs call on Chisinau and Tiraspol to pursue their constructive dialogue to achieve an effective resolution of the Transnistrian problem and to adopt concrete measures to improve living conditions for the people. It is crucial to ensure that the association agreement applies fully to Transnistria, which is an integral part of the Republic of Moldova, MEPs note.
Commissioner responsible for Neighbourhood Policy and Accession Negotiations Johannes Hahn said that the agreement is a milestone on Moldova's road to the EU. The leader of the Moldovan parliament, Igor Corman, described the day as historic for his country and very important for EU-Moldovan relations. It is the most important agreement since Moldova achieved independence, he said. Parliament President Martin Schulz said it was an important sign, a strong message from the EU. The rapporteur opined that ratification of the agreement proved that Moldova had been successful in its political and economic reform process, establishing its European prospects and bearing witness to its determination eventually to join the EU. (CG)