Brussels, 17/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 16 March, the EU and Moldova stated that the Republic of Moldova was making good progress on implementing the association agreement that was signed on 27 June. “A whole section of the association agreement has been implemented by Moldova, which enables us to deepen the political integration between Moldova and the EU”, said Latvia's foreign minister, Edgars Rinkevics, at the end of the first Association Council. Moldova's prime minister, Chiril Gaburici, stated that 11% of the measures to move the legislations closer together had already been implemented.
The Association Council recognised the importance of giving fresh momentum to the political and economic reforms that are crucial in Moldova. Rinkevics stated that Moldova is committed to strengthening the fight against corruption, to consolidating its judicial system, and to tackling the weaknesses in its banking system urgently. The Council also highlighted the importance of improving the business and investment climate, and of ensuring the sustainability of economic reforms. The results in the reforms will depend on the political resolve, said European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn. “The Moldovans want a stable and democratic society, which will only be possible by associating all the actors in society”, he added. Gaburici stated that the Eastern Partnership summit in Riga at the end of May would be the opportunity to continue the reforms already provided for in the association agreement.
Hahn said that the EU had released a packet of €410 million for 2014-2017 to support the reforms and Moldova's implementation of the association agreement and the deep and comprehensive free trade area.
The Association Council also underlined the importance of stepping up efforts to achieve a comprehensive and peaceful settlement to the conflict in Transnistria - based on Moldova's territorial integrity and sovereignty, and a special status for Transnistria. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)