Michalko: EU Will Closely Monitor Presidential Elections in Moldova

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The European Union will closely monitor the presidential election in Moldova, Peter Michalko, head of the EU delegation to Moldova said. At the Thursday meeting of the EU-RM Civil Society Platform the diplomat noted that “the EU’s expectations from the Moldovan authorities" did not change after the formation of the new government in November, “political will and adherence to the principles of democracy and political pluralism are still necessary," infotag.md reports. According to Michalko, during the organization of future elections, the Moldovan authorities “need to pay attention to the previous recommendations of partners and monitoring missions related to party financing; to the voting of the diaspora and in Transdniestria as well; to supporting media pluralism”. “Attacks on representatives of civil society, which serves as a defender of democratic standards, which has been proved more than once in previous electoral processes must be excluded. There are still risks of misinformation (of voters), therefore something needs to be opposed to this and civil society can positively affect this being a partner to the state,” the European diplomat said. He emphasized that” in Moldova there is no political force that would deny the fundamental role of the Association Agreement with the EU”. “It is important that efforts in this direction continue. The European Union is ready to support reform, but this support will depend on the strict implementation of the commitments undertaken by the Moldovan government,” Michalko emphasized.