 Sworn in last September, the pro-western coalition government of the ex-Soviet, mostly Romanian-speaking Republic of Moldova has weighed the performance of its first 100 days in power. The difficult legacy left behind by the pro-Russian communists that had been in power for the last 8 years, including a deep-going economic crisis, a divided and isolated society, and relations with development partners frozen, has forced the new government to adopt a strict timetable of domestic measures and diplomatic contacts, prime-minister Vlad Filat said.
Domestically, his cabinet endorsed the State Fiscal Policy Law and the 2010 Budget Law, while in terms of foreign policy it managed to bring relations with Bucharest to a normal level, after the estrangement caused by the hostility of the former communist power, and to restore political dialogue with the European Union. The Filat government reinforced visa waiver for Romanians, resumed wine exports to the Russian market and negotiated a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund. Under the new agreement, the Republic of Moldova is to receive a 590-million USD loan.
More money, intended for infrastructure and development, will be coming from the USA and the EU. An informal group of European Union member states that support Chisinau has actually been established, the head of government announced. According to him, the priority of the Republic of Moldova is European integration, and in this respect as well, his government has proved that the road from words to action is not that long. Prime Minister Vlad Filat:
“The opening and qualitative change in our relations with European partners has only been possible because from the very beginning we have made sure that statements and action match, as opposed to what had happened before.”
On January 12th, Chisinau will begin the negotiations on the EU Association Agreement. Also this year, dialogue will be launched with the European Union on the liberalisation of the visa system, along with talks on free trade between the Republic of Moldova and the EU, Prime Minister Vlad Filat said. The goal of his cabinet is for the economy of this country to overcome the crisis and become attractive for investors, with economic growth generated by other sources than consumption. Like all previous governments since 1992, the Filat cabinet hopes for the conflict in Transdniester, the mostly Russian speaking breakaway region in eastern Moldova to be settled. The new power in Chisinau argues that it has a new approach to the issue and that it counts on gaining the confidence of Transdniester locals.
|
2025-04-03
Print
Listen again