REFORM SHOULD TRANSFORM POLICE INTO INSTITUTION THAT ACTS IN CITIZENS' INTERESTS - EU DELEGATION HEAD

The reforming of the Moldovan police, supported by the European Union implies its transformation into a modern legal institution that serves the citizens' interests, the ensuring of society safety, said Ambassador Peter Michalko, Head of the European Union Delegation to Moldova at the Wednesday's ceremony of handing over technical assistance (42 Dacia cars).

The diplomat stressed that free Democratic society is impossible without professional, incorruptible and well-trained police.

"The reforming of the Ministry of the Interior will not be easy in Moldova, as it was not easy in a number of other European countries. However, we are ready to support the republic on this way in order that the police to become an example and a locomotive of reforms", said the diplomat.

He added that a considerable part of cars the police received will be used not only in Chisinau, but also in other localities.

"This is the first step on the way of supporting EU regions, but not the last. In the nearest time, the EU will allocate up to 57 million euros for supporting all the reform aspects. The most important is to achieve the transformations' main goal - the police should stand guard over citizens' interests", Michalko said.

According to him, in the nearest time NGOs will be identified for monitoring the process of modernizing law enforcement structure efficiency.

The Ministry of the Interior State Secretary Dorin Purice stressed that the cars will be distributed to departments of criminal prosecution in most of republic raions.

"We are grateful to the EU - our strategic partner, for permanent and all-round technical assistance. The implementation of the project "Together towards a stable society", designed for the period until 2020 - is priority for the Ministry and we intend to implement it in full. In 2018, the reforming of agency structures will continue to enhance both the crime combating at all levels, and for transforming the police into an efficient and professional institute in population's service", he stressed.