DEPUTY PREMIER GHERASIMOV SAYS THERE IS NO STAGNATION WHATSOEVER WITH OFFICIAL START OF ACCESSION NEGOTIATIONS

Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Ms. Cristina Gherasimov commented on the situation that the European Council, at its meeting on March 21-22, did not make a decision on the official opening of EU accession negotiations with Moldova.

Gherasimov stated at a press briefing on Friday: “In no case can one speak about whatever stagnation of the accession procedure. This is a normal, routine process. The European Commission has handed over necessary documents to the European Council to start negotiations, but time is needed to analyze them”.

“EU Member Countries need time to analyze and offer their recommendations and amendments, after which the document must be unanimously approved by all the member countries – hopefully at the next meeting of the Council,” Gerasimov explained.

At the same time, the Deputy Premier admitted that Moldova is late in appointing a new composition of Supreme Court judges and a new Prosecutor General.

“We assured our European partners that we are resolving issues to speed up the process, including the launching of a new competition for the position of Prosecutor General in the coming weeks, as Minister of Justice Mihailov-Moraru said,” emphasized Cristina Gerasimov.