Federica Mogherini: Our Support will Remain Conditional on Reform Progress

The European Union is ready to increase our financial support and advice in response to the Government’s ambitious reform agenda, said High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini. She expressed hope to release the first installment of macro-financial assistance for the Republic of Moldova soon. “All this – I believe – is a clear sign of our appreciation of the reforms already undertaken and of our expectations for the next steps.” The statements were made at a press conference held on September 30, in Brussels after the fifth meeting of the Moldova-EU Association Council, IPN reports. Federica Mogherini noted, that the parties had the chance to discuss the important reforms started to reinforce democracy and the rule of law in Moldova. “It is a path that you have been following in these three months with determination for the sake of your own citizens. It is a path that is also essential for our partnership, to make the best out of our Association Agreement to the benefit of our peoples both in Moldova and the European Union,” stated the Vice-President of the European Commission. According to her, it is so important that the Republic of Moldova delivers on the commitments it has made. “Making sure that our partnership evolves with time is also important, and this is why we have agreed today to start to work on updating the Association Agenda and set new priorities to guide the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area implementation in the coming years. As in the past, our support will remain conditional on reform progress. But also as in the past, we will stand by you with our support and advice – and let me say, even more than in the past,” said Federica Mogherini. She said that the European Leaders in June tasked the European Commission to work on a set of concrete measures to support Moldova, based on Moldova’s sustained implementation of the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. “We resumed budget support payments already in June this year. We also signed with the Government financing agreements to implement programmes on sustainable local development and the rule of law, with already some tangible results,” noted Federica Mogherini. When it comes to electoral reform, we have seen positive progress and we expect that work will continue along this path also by addressing the remaining international recommendations. Local elections of 20 October will be an important test for the electoral process to show it is in line with international democratic standards. “Our long and friendly meeting also gave me the chance to confirm to the Prime Minister and her delegation the European Union’s continued support for Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and a special status for Transnistria within Moldova’s internationally recognised borders. Recent progress in the 5+2 talks needs to be built on, particularly during the round that will be held in Slovakia next week,” said Federica Mogherini. At the same press conference, Prime Minister Maia Sandu has stated that the parties discussed the Government’s achievements in the first one hundred days. “We have made a commitment on behalf of all Government institutions in charge of the implementation of the Association Agreement, to carry out these actions,” said Maia Sandu. The head of the cabinet has said that the Republic of Moldova needs EU financial assistance. “It is encouraging to reconfirm the news that we can get the two installments of macro-financial assistance by the end of this year. Obviously, if we succeed in meeting all the conditions and this is our intention - to fulfill all the commitments”, specified Maia Sandu. According to the officials, the talks will continue during the visit that Federica Mogherini will make in the Republic of Moldova in a few days. Point