Brussels, 15/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 15 March, Moldova's new prime minister, Pavel Filip, confirmed his country's resolve to continue on its European path.
“Despite the obstacles, we would like to confirm our commitment on the European path”, he told the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee, adding later that the “path towards Europe is the path of our destiny”. Filip stated that his government would work on reforms to regain the trust of Europeans and Moldova's own citizens. “The main objective is to manage to re-establish the trust of citizens in the institutions of the state, in the political class. It is crucial that our partners regain trust”, he said. In Filip's view, the EU's support is essential for conducting these reforms successfully.
Filip stated that the priorities of his country in 2016 were to ensure stability, including macro-economic stability with an agreement with the IMF, and dialogue with civil society. He also insisted on this point. “I think that civil society has an important role to play - that of checking democracy”, he said. In addition, he highlighted the consolidation and independence of the state institutions. “the administration and Moldovan authorities must do everything necessary” so that financial fraud like that of April 2015 (when €927 million disappeared from Moldovan banks) never happens again. “Those who commit fraud must be identified and measures must be taken to find the money again”, he added.
The previous day, Filip had attended the second Association Council between his country and the EU. The EU had underlined “the importance of solving the current difficulties in Moldova through a constructive dialogue between all political forces in the country”. The EU had encouraged Moldova to continue its efforts to adopt the necessary legislation. “Tangible results on reforms are necessary to restore trust in Moldova”, the Association Council had stated - reforms involving the depoliticisation of institutions, the fight against corruption, an investigation into bank fraud, and reforms of the finance, justice and energy sectors. Chisinau's efforts in preparing a priority reform plan for key areas, including a detailed roadmap that sets clear deadlines for concrete actions until July, were also recognised. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)