Moldova - Achievements
The European Commission Progress Report Moldova concludes that overall good progress was made in most areas. At the same time effective implementation of reforms remains a challenge. This is particularly true in the areas of judicial reform, fight against corruption as well as ensuring media freedom and improving the business and investment climate.
The 2007 local elections were generally well administered and voters were offered a genuine choice. Legislation on parliamentary reform, political parties and local self government was adopted, taking into account some international recommendations (of the OSCE/ODIHR and the Council of Europe).
Important steps have been made to ensure respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Moldova has adopted several international (UN, ILO) conventions in this field.
Visa facilitation and readmission agreement entered into force in January 2008. This is a major contribution to people-to-people contacts and in the fight against illegal migration. A Common Visa Application Centre was opened in Chisinau under Hungarian leadership in April 2007 to simplify procedures for the issuing of visas to Moldovan citizens.
Moldova continued to cooperate closely with the EU on all questions related to the Transnistria settlement efforts, including the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM). The EUBAM mission, which is also helping to ensure transparent management of the Moldova-Ukraine border, improving customs services and increasing customs revenue, was extended until November 2009.
Economic growth remained robust despite the negative effects of external shocks, including a severe drought. Improvements of the institutional framework and in particular procedures on control and certification of origin allowed the EU to grant Moldova as from March 2008 additional Autonomous Trade Preferences (ATPs).
