On January 13, the Secretary of State of the United States sanctioned Vladimir Plahotniuc due to his involvement in significant corruption that had undermined the rule of law and severely compromised Moldova’s independence and democratic institutions.  

This was just the latest example of our country’s steadfast commitment to the Moldovan people in their fight against corruption.  The United States will continue to promote accountability for corrupt actors – here, in the region, and around the world.  And we will continue to support efforts to build a justice system that treats all citizens equally and punishes the guilty – regardless of power or position. No one should be above the law.

We are encouraged by the government’s promise that justice reform and combating high-level corruption remain top priorities, and the government has shared with us and other international partners its preliminary plans to turn this promise into a reality.  But Moldovans know better than anyone that talking about reform is one thing.  Implementing real change, and breaking the cycle of corruption and state capture – is much harder. 

Stamping out Moldova’s widespread, entrenched corruption can begin only when strong, independent institutions are staffed with honest, uncompromised officials.  Over the last few months, we have seen this can happen: with the necessary political will and empowerment, some institutions finally made progress on key criminal investigations.  The Anti-Corruption Prosecution Office, for example, in recent months reinvigorated the long-overdue investigation of the billion-dollar theft.  Moldova’s citizens and international partners expect the progress on this seminal case and other high-level corruption investigations to continue.  We welcome the request from the Prosecutor General’s Office to cooperate with the United States to broaden and intensify these investigations.  I have stressed to the Prosecutor General, the government, and the President the importance of avoiding any action that could weaken the independence of the Anti-Corruption Prosecution Office and stall momentum on these investigations.  We urge Moldova’s leaders to protect the independence of corruption-fighting institutions, empower reformers within these institutions, and shield them from outside interference.  

The United States supported the previous government’s initiatives to reform the justice sector – including credible, independent vetting for judges and prosecutors.  We welcome the current government’s declared intention to continue these reforms and have encouraged the political leaders to actively reach out to civil society, opposition political parties, academia, and international experts to achieve a broad consensus on the direction and scope of the reforms.  The development and implementation of the justice reforms should be credible, transparent, and inclusive.  Anything less will undermine public and international confidence in the government.    

I understand that for some people it is tempting to view high-level corruption and opaque court systems as “elite” issues that do not affect ordinary people – but corruption and selective justice hurt average citizens every day.  Weak rule of law deters the foreign investment that can create jobs and boost trade, siphons money from hard-working local entrepreneurs, divides families by pushing talented young Moldovans to seek greater opportunity abroad, and diverts scarce public revenue away from infrastructure and public services.

The United States continues to stand with the Moldovan people in their pursuit of stronger rule of law.  This week’s sanctioning of Mr. Plahotniuc is the first time the United States has taken such a step in Moldova, and we are ready to take such a step again, along with continued economic and technical assistance, to help Moldova fight for justice.  

I think we all understand this fight ultimately belongs to the Moldovan people, its institutions, and chosen leaders.  And we say to the brave and resilient Moldovans: don’t settle for anything less than concrete action against corruption.  Hold your leaders accountable.  Your future – and the future of Moldova – depends on it. 

• Vladimir Plahotniuc, His Wife and Children, Prohibited from Entering the United States

Editor’s Note: This article is an editorial written by Dereck J. Hogan, the U.S. Ambassador to Moldova. The views and opinions expressed in it are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ziarul de Gardă.