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Germany is supporting efforts to strengthen democracy and the rule of law in the Republic of Moldova
Minister of State for Europe Michael Roth received the Moldovan Foreign Minister Tudor Ulianovschi at the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin on Wednesday (5 September).
The main topics on their agenda were the domestic political situation in Moldova and the Transnistria conflict.
Minister of State Roth paid tribute to the intensive political, economic and cultural ties with Moldova.
However, the current domestic political situation in the Republic of Moldova was a cause for concern, he said.
Above all, the nullification of the mayoral elections in Chisinau is problematic. The will of the electorate must be respected at all costs and the rule of law and free elections are a precious asset. Only when this is guaranteed can we and the EU continue our close cooperation in a constructive manner and support the Republic of Moldova’s necessary reform steps,
said Roth after the talks.
At his meeting with Foreign Minister Ulianovschi, Roth emphasised that Germany expected free and fair parliamentary elections to be held at the beginning of 2019, with the involvement of international election observers. With regard to the recently adopted tax amnesty, Minister of State Roth called on the Moldovan Government to take the concerns of international partners and civil society in Moldova seriously and to commit itself wholeheartedly to fighting corruption and promoting the rule of law.
Both politicians discussed the Transnistria conflict at length. Minister of State Roth welcomed the recent progress made in the negotiations and the successful 5+2 meeting held in Rome on 29 May under the Italian OSCE Chairmanship. He expressed his hope for further tangible progress that would have a positive impact, above all on the everyday lives of the people in the region. Minister of State Roth welcomed the appointment of Dr Claus Neukirch as the new Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova.