On her second visit to Brussels this month, Prime Minister Maia Sandu met with members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET).

On 24 July, the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) held an in-depth exchange of views with the new Prime Minister of Moldova, Maia Sandu. During the meeting, the Prime Minister spoke about the importance of reforming the justice system, finding the culprits of the bank fraud, and implementation of the Association Agreement with the European Union. 

”The key goal for the Moldovan Government is creating an independent and functional Prosecutor’s office, building government institutions responsive to citizens, fighting corruption, creating a fair judicial process.The implementation of the Association Agreement and the DCFTA is at the core of our agenda today. We want to become a predictable and reliable partner to the citizens and development partners alike. We will not hide problems. We will address them. We want you to see Moldova differently as of now, as a country that wants to be like E.U. countries not in rhetoric but in what it does day to day,” said Prime Minister Sandu.

At the same time the Foreign Affairs MEPs reaffirmed their strong support for Moldova’s new government while stressing the need to continue with crucial rule of law reforms.

“The key priorities now must be to continue the work on re-establishing an independent judiciary and reforming other judicial bodies, such as the prosecutor’s office. There must also be determined efforts to recover the funds captured through the large scale banking sector fraud unveiled in 2014, and holding those responsible accountable, as well as to improving the general electoral processes for the future, in accordance with previous international recommendations,” concluded the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, David McAllister

At the meeting Prime Minister Sandu was also asked how long the coalition between the ACUM Bloc and the Socialist Party (PSRM) will last.

“I’m curious too. It would not have been wrong for the president of PSRM to be here and answer this question. According to our discussions, it is clear that they too want a longer life [for] the alliance. Those who voted for us want this majority to last,”  commented Prime Minister Sandu.

During her visit to Brussels Prime Minister Sandu was accompanied by the Foreign Minister, Nicu Popescu, and Parliamentary Speaker, Zinaida Greceanii. Chisinau officials held talks with MEPs, Romania’s delegation from the Renew Europe Group, and with the European Parliament’s President, David-Maria Sassoli.