Following his meeting with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Iurie Leancă, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Štefan Füle stressed that Moldova needs to promote several reforms. The two men have also signed two important financing agreements.
As Commissioner Füle stated: “We discussed the political and economic situation in Moldova. While welcoming the end of the recent political crisis in Chisinau, I underlined the importance of drawing the lessons from it, and to focus on the needs of the citizens. As a friend, I have been very open in expressing my strong expectation that the new coalition will work hard genuinely tackling the issues raised by the political crisis.”
In particular, Commissioner Füle highlighted that Moldova needs to adopt a robust system of checks and balances in order to prevent the state institutions to take partisan sides in period of political tensions, successfully tackle corruption, promote freedom of the media sector and ensure political inclusiveness of the decision-making process.
In addition, he also stressed the importance of respect for pluralism and inclusivity in order to “overcome the polarization of society and create space for a broad public debate and respect all opinions.” He later underlined that citizens should be in the centre of attention and assured Prime Minister Leancă that if Moldova promotes these necessary reforms then it will continue to enjoy the EU support.
Moreover, the two men signed two financing agreements, for a total amount of €90 million, in support of justice sector reform and the implementation of EU-Moldova Agreements. In particular, they signed the sector budget support on justice (€60 million) aiming to improve the justice sector and to ensure the rule of law and protection of human rights. Finally, they signed the framework programme (€30 million) that will promote the new agreements between the EU and Moldova (Association Agreement including Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement) and the participation of the latter in the European 7th Framework Programme.