Moldovan parliamentary speaker reaffirms his country's course toward European integration
CHISINAU. Nov 17 (Interfax) - Moldovan parliamentary Chairman Andrian Candu assured the European Parliament members on Tuesday that Moldova was still firmly committed to reform and European integration.
"Moldova has regained leadership within the framework of Eastern Partnership, and a number of deep structural reforms need to be carried out in the near future. Confidence of the people and foreign partners can be regained only through structural actions and reforms," the Moldovan parliamentary press service quoted Candu as saying at a session of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.
Candu regretted that his country has so far been unable to set up "efficient institutions acting independently, regardless of a political factor."
"In the West, government institutions act in line with the law, independently of the people governing them. The more we move toward the West, the more people come to the foreground. Institutions remain dependent on individuals, oligarchs, and politics. Our crucial task is to setup independent institutions and change the flawed system," he said.
Among the priorities that the Moldovan government will have to pursue, Candu mentioned the implementation of an association and free trade agreement with the EU, the reform of its justice sector, the rehabilitation of the national banking and financial sector, the national energy system's connection to the European one, the creation of a favorable business environment, and efficient measures against corruption.
"The parliament endorsed a legislative program on implementing obligations within the framework of an association agreement with the EU. A special agency will be set up on the national level to coordinate all institutions involved in implementing the agreement," he said.
Talking about the political situation in Moldova, Candu assured his counterparts that a pro-European parliamentary majority would be set up in the near future, which would confirm a government and resume negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Taking questions from European parliamentarians, Candu ruled out the possibility that early elections would be called in Moldova and that a parliamentary majority could be set up by parties not supporting the country's European integration.