Moldovan PM meets EU commissioner

Chisinau, 19 June /MOLDPRES/ - The resumption of the bilateral dialogue between Moldova and the European Union was the main subject of discussion between Prime Minister Maia Sandu and European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, on an official visit to Chisinau, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.

PM Maia Sandu thanked the European commissioner, as well as the EU institutions for the constant support provided to Moldova, which had faced a deep crisis on the last period. “This attention of the European institutions, messages of support coming from the European institutions, EU member countries have made possible the peaceful settlement of the political crisis we went through,” Maia Sandu said at a news conference. She noted that “we ruled to resume, as seriously as possible, the political dialogue between Moldova and EU.”  

At the meeting, the officials discussed the new cabinet’s initiatives on Moldova’s de-oligarchization, the state’s release from captivity, edification of independent institutions, which are to observe the law and work in the interests of the citizens. “We talked about our priorities of fighting corruption, measures taken along with the colleagues in parliament, in order to start the true investigation of the one-billion-dollar theft, as well as of other corruption schemes which impoverished Moldova and its citizens,” the prime minister also said.   

Another key subject regarded the re-establishment of the financing for Moldova, in the context of the budgetary support, as well as in the context of the programme on macro-financial assistance. At the same time, Maia Sandu reiterated the new government’s commitment to ensure freedom and human rights, create conditions for the independent media, civil society and the local public authorities, so that the democratic processes are re-established in the country.   

For his part, European Commissioner Johannes Hahn appreciated the firmness of the new government as to the implementation of the reforms set. At the same time, the official highlighted the urgent need to have a transparent and professional judicial system in Moldova.   

„We are ready to provide you with the necessary assistance, international experts, at your request. And I believe that the fight against corruption is one of the most important subjects and we need much international support, experience from other countries and we are ready to come up with this assistance here as well. It was important for us to hear the statement on the government’s commitment concerning the Association Agreement and especially as to the implementation of all its provisions in the long run. We support you in all your efforts to further reform the public service for the benefit of the citizens,” the official specified.     

Also, the European commissioner praised the maturity of the Moldovan politicians, proved in carrying out the peaceful transition of the state power. “I want to express gratitude to all those who contributed to this. I think this was an expression of the political maturity and is a proof of the country’s development, evolution,” Johannes Hahn said.

Also today, the European commissioner made an invitation to Prime Minister Maia Sandu to participate in a meeting of the Association Council, due in Brussels in the near future.