Prime Minister Pavel Filip and Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu met European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn in Strasbourg today. The discussion was focused on the present stage of the Moldova – European Union relations, reforms in the justice sector and programmes on budgetary support and assistance for Moldova.   

At the same time, the officials discussed the situation concerning the invalidation of the elections in the Chisinau city. The PM informed about the creation of a working group with the participation of government and parliament representatives for considering the electoral legislation and removing the gaps which allowed the emerging of the present situation. The group will consider the relevant experience from other European states and will benefit from support and expertise of the Council of Europe. Prime Minister Pavel Filip assured the European official that EU would be regularly informed about the solutions due to be discussed within the working group.     

The PM noted that the political developments in Chisinau must not have an impact on the practical cooperation between Moldova and the European Union, stressing that the government remained fully committed to implement the provisions of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement. The recent decision by the International Monetary Fund to provide the next installment of assistance confirmed that Moldova’s authorities advance on the way of reforms.  

Commissioner Johannes Hahn informed that EU was keeping a close eye on the developments in Moldova, highlighting the importance to observe the democratic norms and standards.

At the meeting, the sides also discussed the issue of the macro-financial assistance on behalf of the European Union. Commissioner Johannes Hahn said the decision on transferring the first installment or its suspension had not been taken. According to the European official, the situation is too hot and unclear now to take such decisions and is to be analyzed calmly, as it has many questions.