Dodon Discussed Implementation of Reforms with US State Department

President Igor Dodon discussed with representatives of the US State Department issues of cooperation, the fight against corruption and the implementation of reforms in the country. The head of state wrote this on his Facebook page, infotag.md reports. According to him, he met with a delegation from the U.S. Department of State led by Jorgan Andrews, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, and Alan Purcell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of the United States of America to our country Dereck Hogan. “During the conversation, we touched upon various aspects of bilateral cooperation in many areas of mutual interest, including strengthening the rule of law and the quality of public administration, implementation of reforms, etc. He emphasized that the strategic dialogue built by our countries creates sufficient opportunities for further deepening bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and the United States. He welcomed the work of the working groups established as part of the strategic dialogue,” the president noted. He expressed his gratitude to the United States "for supporting and promoting reforms in the field of justice, anti-corruption, in strengthening the institutional capacities of the ministries and departments of the Republic of Moldova. “The implementation of justice reform and the fight against corruption are the priority of the current government. He noted that these primary tasks will be carried out in a consistent and transparent manner, in accordance with the model to be approved by external partners, civil society, system professionals, as well as political forces: the government and the opposition. He assured that the current government is determined to fulfill all the obligations undertaken by Moldova to its external partners,” Dodon stressed. In his message, the president clarifies whether he discussed the extradition of the Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc from the United States, whom Dodon promised to bring in handcuffs. The day before, the US Ambassador to Moldova Dereck Hogan said that “US personal sanctions against the Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc should contribute to the fight against corruption in Moldova.” Earlier, experts noted that the US decision regarding Plahotniuc was a surprise for the Moldovan authorities, who are afraid of revelations from the oligarch and are in no hurry to bring him justice. US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said on January 13 that Plahotniuc and his family members were included in the US sanctions list in connection with “significant corruption acts committed by Plahotniuc.”