On Wednesday 21 June, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn stated that the release of €100 million in EU macro-financial aid to Moldova would depend on the changes brought to the draft electoral legislation – a draft that is criticised by the international community, including the EU (see EUROPE 11812).
"The decision of the European Parliament and Coreper [the member states] was very clear. For the first time, I have to say, macro-financial aid is also linked to demands and standards on the rule of law", Hahn said, in the presence of Moldova's Prime Minister Pavel Filip, who was visiting Brussels.
Hahn described the urgent need to deal with this famous draft legislation, and he called for the recommendations of the European Commission and Council of Europe's Venice Commission to be followed. In his view, "it is now time to enter into substantial negotiations between the two stakeholders", especially civil society. "There is no urgency to adopt anything immediately", he added.
"Completely open to discussion", Pavel said that his country had called on the Commission to assess the draft legislation and that he would take account of its recommendations. He added that the Parliament will work with the Venice Commission's recommendations.
More generally, Hahn stated that Chisinau had made much progress in a year and a half, and he hoped the country would continue on this route. "It is important to stay determined and to focus on the rule of law, economic development and the fight against corruption", he added. He stated that "concrete and tangible" reforms should be made, which would bring Moldova closer to the EU. Pavel reiterated that it was his country's plan to join the EU.
Pavel also announced that Hahn would visit Moldova in July. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)