Moldova: MEPs strongly support the efforts of Prime Minister Maia Sandu
Foreign Affairs MEPs reaffirm their strong support for Moldova’s new government while stressing the need to continue with crucial rule of law reforms.
On Wednesday, the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) held an in depth exchange of views with the new Prime Minister of Moldova Maia Sandu on her government’s European reform agenda and the aftermath of the latest political crisis in the country.
After the meeting, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Mr David McAllister (EPP, DE) said:
“I am honoured to have hosted the Prime Minister of Moldova Maia Sandu today - the first foreign government leader to be invited to our committee meeting this legislature. The recent political developments in the country represent a major opportunity for the new Moldovan government to deliver on past commitments related to democratic standards, including pursuing essential rule of law reforms and fighting corruption - all key objectives set out by the new administration itself.
As recently expressed during our latest delegation visit to Moldova in June, we are fully supportive of the country’s new government and the work it has ahead of itself on the European reform agenda, which must be carried out in close cooperation with civil society and relevant stakeholders. The key priorities now must be to continue the work on re-establishing an independent judiciary and reforming other judicial bodies, such as the prosecutor’s office. There must also be determined efforts to recover the funds captured through the large-scale banking sector fraud unveiled in 2014, and holding those responsible accountable, as well as to improving the general electoral processes for the future, in accordance with previous international recommendations.
Such progress is essential to improve EU-Moldovan relations – both politically and in terms of unlocking further EU assistance – but I am confident this could be possible in the near future. It is worth reiterating that the European Parliament is always willing to support its closest partners in building cross-party consensus on the reform agenda, based on the implementation of the association agreement, and in strengthening their democratic institutions. On behalf of the European Parliament, I would therefore like to emphasise our readiness to facilitate cross-party engagement in the Moldovan parliament through the Jean Monnet Dialogue.”