Strasbourg, 17/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - By adopting a resolution, during Thursday's emergency debates, on the political situation in Moldova, the European Parliament calls on the Moldovan authorities to undertake a full, in-depth and independent investigation into the disappearance of Vlad Cubreacov, deputy leader of the Christian-Democrat Party, and other opposition leaders. It urges the Council and Commission to deploy all possible efforts to "find Mr. Cubreacov in good health" and follow closely, together with the OSCE and the Council of Europe, human rights situation in Moldova. The Moldovan Government is urged to respect democratic rules and parliament to refrain from lifting the parliamentary immunity of opposition members and to overturn its earlier decisions in the matter.
In a short debate, Lennart Sacredeus (Swedish, EPP-ED) recalled that he had met Mr. Cubreacov and said he was concerned at his fate. Austrian Social-Democrat Johannes Swoboda deplored the measures taken against the opposition and peaceful demonstrators. German Green, Elisabeth Schroedter proposed a joint EU and Council of Europe mission to secure the respect of human rights and democratic standards. "We associate ourselves with your appeal", said Pascal Lamy to the MEPs, while stressing that "the country's great poverty does not facilitate the search for political balance" and that the current situation "also stems from the inability to resolve the conflict in Transdniestrie".