Popescu: “EU Support will Depend only on Meeting Obligations”

“Nobody gives guarantees in politics,” commented Minister of Foreign Affairs and European IntegrationNicuPopescu, asked “whether there are any guarantees that EU assistance will not be limited in the future.” The diplomat noted in an interview for the Viitorul Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) that “today the EU’s relations with Moldova are based on openness, wish and the ability to provide the necessary support, but the decision to provide it is not made well in advance because it is unknown what political changes will be in the country”, infotag.md reports “The EU is mobilizing resources for economic, political, diplomatic and financial assistance to Moldova. However, this support will depend on the implementation of justice reform at the parliament, government and presidential levels. The list of necessary reforms also includes the energy sector, where Moldova should implement the provisions of the Third Energy Package, which means liberalization of the gas market,” the minister said. He emphasized that the EU’s support “cannot be seen as a gift”. “It is based on the fulfillment of Moldova’s obligations. If there are delays or failures, then support may be limited. This is one more proof that the EU does not support any party, but only democratic changes in Moldova. The past authorities did not make proper efforts in the process of necessary reforms, and, accordingly, did not receive support,” Popescu said. However, the diplomat noted that “after the change of power in Moldova, the EU has developed an understanding that the republic is going through a certain historical stage, which creates opportunities for improving the economic and political situation in the country”. In this regard, Popescu noted the initiative to create the Project Team Moldova working group. “When the EU concludes that it is necessary to accelerate support, separate working groups are created, consisting of representatives of the European Commission and the expert community of member countries. At the EU’s level, it was decided to support the dynamics of change in Moldova. And in order to act faster than standard procedures suggest, it was decided to create such a working group to provide the necessary support,” the diplomat said. Point