| 17 February 2010
The members of the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Cooperation Committee have signed a joint statement in Chisinau during the body's 12th meeting. The four-chapter document envisages a string of recommendations and priorities that Moldova needs to fulfil in the European integration process. Moldova's co-chairman in the committee, Igor Corman, today told a news conference that the statement comprises beneficent recommendations for Moldova, such as the continuation of reforms and democratic development in order to meet Moldova's top objective of European integration. Corman said that the statement lists Moldova's priorities in relations with the EU, including the urgent negotiation of an association agreement, the launch of talks on the creation of a free trade zone between Moldova and the EU in July 2010 and the liberalization of the visa regime, which is the most sensitive element. The committee's co-chairwoman, MEP Monica Macovei, told journalists that the declaration comprises "ambitious" recommendations the final goal of which is Moldova's European integration. "Moldova has chances to become an EU member, but to this end it needs to carry out more reforms, the most important one being the judiciary reform. If there is corruption in the judiciary, nothing will work in any state," Macovei said. Macovei said that the judiciary reform also implies changing the staff, the Superior Council of Magistrates, which, she believes, opposes the reform. "Laws are not enough, people should be tested and if they fail to cope with requirements, they should be fired," the MEP said. The Romanian deputy in the European Parliament also said that to the EU, it is important that Moldova has a judiciary result of the post-electoral events from 7 April 2009. "If perpetrators are not punished, this would generate mistrust in society, which is to the detriment of democracy." Macovei also said that Moldova would benefit from EU's technical and financial assistance to carry out reforms necessary for integration. Eleven MEPs from six countries participated in the 12th meeting of the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Cooperation Committee held in Chisinau on 16-17 February.
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