Brussels, 30/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - In its final declaration adopted at the end of its ninth meeting on 25-26 October in Strasbourg, the EU/Moldova parliamentary committee is highlighting the need to implement the EU/Moldova action plan. “the EU accession prospect remains open for Moldova and the EU and according to the provisions of the Action Plan the opportunity of a new contractual relationship between Moldova and EU may be considered”. The declaration calls on the European Commission to prepare recommendations as soon as possible to grant Chisinau a preferential trade regime. However, it deplores corruption and human trafficking in the country and calls on the government to “take all necessary measures” to fight against corruption and organised crime.
It also highlights the need to reinforce the efficiency of the institutions and rule of law, particularly the legal system in the country, and calls on the government to respect media rights and “avoid incidents involving the arrest of journalists”. The committee appeals for a peaceful settlement to the conflict with the secessionist republic of Transnistria and that it respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Chisinau. It deplores the delay in withdrawing Russian troops from the country but welcomes the work of the EU's assistance mission at the border between Moldova and Ukraine and explains that this mission is expected to constitute “the nucleus of a full ESDP mission in the future and to form part of a policy of greater EU engagement in Moldova”. Finally, it calls on the European Commission to present, before the end of 2006, a draft mandate for negotiating readmission agreement and the facilitation of visas with Moldova and by insisting that that such a system should apply to the whole of the population. (dt)