The Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and Special Representative on Anti-Corruption Irene Charalambidou held meetings in Moldova yesterday, as part of her visit to the country with the Special Representative of the OSCE Polish Chairmanship on Anti-Corruption, Anita Ramasastry.
A statement from the House of Representatives said that this is the first joint visit of representatives of intergovernmental structures and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
During the visit, separate meetings were held with Moldovan Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Vladimir Cuc, Deputy Minister of Justice Eduard Serbenco, Deputy Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament Mihail Popsoi and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs, Appointments and Immunities Olesea Stamate and members of the Committee.
Meetings were also held with the Head of the OSCE field mission to Moldova Ambassador Kelly Keiderling, the European Union (EU) High Level Adviser on Anti-Corruption and the EU High Level Adviser on Justice, and the Deputy Director of the National Anti-Corruption Centre.
Ms. Charalambidou expressed her appreciation for the willingness of the Moldovan authorities to discuss the challenges related to the issue of anti-corruption. She stressed that, through the commitment of the country's authorities and the active participation of parliamentarians, civil society and the media, it is possible to enhance the transparency needed to create a strong accountability system.
The OSCE CSO Special Representative on Anti-Corruption also underlined the paramount importance of ensuring public access to the necessary information in the context of efforts to strengthen good economic governance. Ms. Charalambidou noted that Moldova, like all OSCE participating States, has made specific commitments related to preventing and fighting corruption, which provide the basis for promoting a sound business environment and ensuring political stability, and stressed that the existence of political will is a key condition for achieving the desired goal.
Charalambidou and Ramasastry had a discussion with NGOs operating in Moldova. Current legal and practical challenges were discussed, as well as possible ways for the OSCE to further support reform efforts in this context. Noting the positive steps taken in this direction, Ms. Charalambidou underlined the need for the fight against corruption to remain a priority issue.
They also participated in a discussion with representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises, chambers of commerce and other relevant stakeholders in the country on addressing good governance challenges and creating a favourable investment climate in Moldova.
Ms. Charalambidou underlined that promoting transparency and ensuring accountability are key conditions for creating a favourable business and investment climate, which in turn will lead to greater growth, political stability and security.
Source: CNA
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