EU-MOLDOVA PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION COMMITTEE
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Monday, 10 October 2005 |
EU-MOLDOVA PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION COMMITTEE
EIGHTH MEETING
6-7 October 2005
CHISINAU
Co-Chairmen: Mrs MIKKO and Mr STEPANIUC
Final Statement and Recommendations
pursuant to Article 89 of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement
Under the co-chairmanship of Mrs Marianne MIKKO (PES, Estonia) and Mr Victor STEPANIUC (Communist Party, Moldova) the eighth meeting of the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Cooperation Committee was held in Chisinau on 6-7 October 2005. The Committee exchanged views with Mrs Benita FERRERO-WALDNER, Commissioner on Foreign Relations, on behalf of the European Commission, Mr Sergiu SAINCIUC, Vice-Minister of Economy and Trade of the Republic of Moldova, on behalf of the government of the Republic of Moldova and H.E. Mr Bernard WHITESIDE, British Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, on behalf of the British Presidency-in-Office of the Council of the European Union.
The Parliamentary Cooperation Committee agreed the following:
EU-Moldova relations
1. stresses that the Republic of Moldova has deep historical, cultural and economic links to the Member States of the European; reiterates its view that the EU-Moldova relationship must be based on shared common values with regard, in particular, to democracy, the rule of law and respect for human and civil rights; underlines that the development of the Republic of Moldova as a stable and prosperous country is in the shared interest of both the European Union and of Moldova itself;
2. underlines the importance of the EU and Moldova working together to contribute to stability, security and prosperity in the region and on the European continent as a whole and to prevent the emergence of new dividing lines;
3. welcomes the adoption of the EU-Moldova Action Plan; emphasises the importance of the Plan for reinforcing EU-Moldova relations and for underpinning political and economic reform in Moldova; stresses too that the successful implementation of the Action Plan should assist Moldova towards a significant degree of economic integration and a deepening of political co-operation with the EU; also emphasises that in the near future the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement remains a valid basis for EU-Moldova cooperation; welcomes the recent formation of a stable and broad-based government committed to early and significant reform;
4. welcomes the steps taken by the European Union to deepen its engagement with the Republic of Moldova; applauds in particular the opening of a permanent European Commission delegation in Chisinau and stresses that this delegation needs to strengthen significantly the political influence of the Union in the country and provide a focus for its activities; underlines the need for adequate funding to be made available to ensure its effective operation;
5. welcomes the appointment of an EU Special Representative (EUSR) for Moldova, as a sign of the EU's engagement, in particular to contributing towards a sustainable settlement of the Transnistria conflict, in accordance with agreed EU policy objectives and in close coordination with the OSCE; welcomes the enlargement of the negotiation process by involving the EU and USA as observers;
6. takes note of the conclusions of the 7th EU-Moldova Cooperation Council that took place in Brussels on 22 February 2005;
Economic and social situation
7. notes that the Action Plan sets out a comprehensive series of priorities and that it provides the opportunity for convergence of economic legislation, the opening of economies to each other, and the continued reduction of trade barriers which will stimulate investment and growth;
8. reiterates its call on the Moldovan authorities to make effective progress on economic and structural reform including social protection and to improve the business and investment climate, especially ensuring a transparent and predictable business environment, bearing in mind the importance of sustainable development; underlines that the adoption and implementation of reform legislation are essential steps; calls on the government to improve the necessary structure of public administration to ensure successful implementation of these reforms;
9. stresses that the Action Plan will build a solid foundation for further economic integration based on the adoption and implementation of economic and trade-related rules with the potential to enhance trade investment and growth;
10. expresses concern at the continuing reports of corruption and trafficking of human beings mainly from Moldova, especially of women and children: takes note of the establishment by the Moldovan authorities of a regional centre to tackle this scourge and stresses the need for concrete measures to rescue and rehabilitate the victims and bring the criminals to justice: underlines that information and public prosecution of those responsible in individual cases is the best and most persuasive way to prevent the repetition of this most inhuman trafficking and would therefore save many innocent women and children;
Rule of law
11. notes that the rule of law is an essential precondition for closer relations between the European Union and Moldova and stresses therefore that the strengthening of the relevant principles and effectiveness of institutions guaranteeing the rule of law is of the utmost importance;
12. calls for the reinforcement of Moldova's judicial capacity and further strengthening of the independence of judiciary;
Human rights and freedom of expression in the Republic of Moldova
13. welcomes the conclusion of the international observer mission that the Moldovan parliamentary elections of 6 March 2005 were generally in compliance with most OSCE and Council of Europe commitments and international standards; notes nonetheless that the observers concluded that the elections fell short of meeting some commitments that are central to a genuinely competitive election process: urges therefore the Government of Moldova to ensure that the shortcomings identified regarding campaign and media conditions are satisfactorily addressed;
14. stresses that opposition parties and minority interests must have a full opportunity to participate actively in the political course of the country; underlines that there should be no interference by the executive that restricts the free action of opposition parties;
15. appreciates the initial steps undertaken by the Moldovan authorities in the process of legislative reform: underlines the importance of drawing on the international expertise of ODIHR and the Venice Commission in order to assure further implementation of reforms and the improvement of the remaining shortcomings;
Situation in Transnistria
16. underlines once more that the resolution of the Transnistria issue is a fundamental element in promoting economic prosperity and political stability in the whole of the Republic of Moldova; stresses again the need for a peaceful solution to the conflict, in line with the UN Charter and Conventions, OSCE declarations and with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova within its internationally recognised borders;
17. calls again for the complete fulfilment of the OSCE Istanbul commitments and expresses concern over the lack of progress in the withdrawal of Russian arms and troops from the territory of Moldova; urges the Russian government to put pressure on the Tiraspol authorities to facilitate the process;
18. applauds the plans for an EU border mission on the Moldova-Ukraine border as welcome signs of enhanced engagement by the European Union in the search for a settlement of the Transnistria problem; stresses that better controls on the border are an essential element in bringing the conflict to an end: calls for this process of deeper EU engagement to be accelerated; welcomes the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the EC Border Assistance Mission to the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine in order to establish an international monitoring mechanism for an efficient customs and border control at the Moldovan-Ukrainian state border: calls for the EU border mission to form the nucleus of a full ESDP mission in the future and to form part of a policy of greater EU engagement in Moldova;
19. welcomes the involvement of the Ukrainian authorities in the search for a resolution of the dispute and the initiative of President Yushchenko to promote a settlement within the framework of a democratic Moldova; welcomes the documents passed by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova related to the Ukrainian Plan for the settlement of the Transnistrian problem, including the Law on Fundamental Regulations of the Special Legal Status of Settlements on the left Bank of the River Nistru (Transnistria) of 22 July 2005;
20. expresses great concern that manufacture of weapons and ammunition may be taking place in the region with the obvious inherent dangers.
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