On Wednesday 19 June, the new Moldovan Prime Minister, Maia Sindu, announced that her government and the European Commission intend to work more closely together.
Following a meeting in Chisinau with Johannes Hahn, the Commissioner for Enlargement Negotiations, she told the media that “we have decided to reopen the dialogue between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union”.
The Prime Minister has pledged to implement reforms in her country, citing in particular the de-oligarchisation of institutions and “open institutions that embed legislation and work for the benefit of citizens”. She also made the fight against corruption a “priority”, saying there would be an investigation into bank fraud that took place in 2014, when a billion euros disappeared.
Ms Sindu added that “I reiterated (to the Commissioner) our commitment to guaranteeing freedom, human rights, and the conditions for an independent press, civil society, local government, etc.”.
These commitments were appreciated by Mr Hahn, who called for the necessary reforms regarding freedom of expression, independence and transparency in the judicial system to be made.
The Prime Minister also requested technical assistance from the EU, particularly in the area of public administration reform. Mr Hahn said that the EU was ready to help, particularly with the fight against corruption.
Asked about Moldova's possible accession to the EU, the Commissioner stressed the importance of fully implementing the Association Agreement “before looking at possible next steps”. He hoped that the EU-Moldova Association Council could meet very soon in Brussels.
Macro-financial assistance to resume in the autumn
The Commissioner was also confident that budgetary and macro-financial support for Moldova would resume soon. Macro-financial support has been suspended since municipal elections in Chisinau were cancelled (see EUROPE 12056/15).
“I am very confident with regard to budgetary support and macro-financial assistance payments in the autumn (...) provided the required conditions are met”, he announced.
He mentioned that he had submitted a list of areas where changes or improvements were needed to the former Prime Minister last September, adding that only part of the demands had been dealt with. In Mr Hahn’s opinion, the new government will address the outstanding issues promptly.
During his trip, Commissioner Hahn also met with President Igor Dodon, former Prime Minister Filip Pavel, the Speaker of Parliament, Zinaida Greceanîi and representatives of civil society. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)