Activity of the President on December 16–31, 2006

Decrees

Chief of state has appointed chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of law courts, judges (who were selected at a contest for selection of instruction judges before age limit). This way, nine vacant offices have been filled.

Sittings. Decisions. Statements

Annual news conference

Vladimir Voronin summarised some problems “of general policy” in an introducing speech delivered at a December 20, 2006 news conference: European integration; neutrality and relations with other states. The chief of state reproached journalists with reporting sombre scenarios regarding Moldova’s future, not liking the governance and not supporting authorities’ efforts from information point of view. As regards political problems, Voronin said that:

he is unsatisfied with the pace of the process “called European integration” and he shows a “red card” to the Government for this failure;
the stance of the power regarding Moldova’s neutrality does not change; the path of Moldova to Europe is the way of a neutral country;
the dialogue with Russia is based on new principles, but this country remains the strategic partner of Moldova. The settlement of the Transnistrian problem will be tackled in continuation “in a professional manner” within these relations;
the Chisinau authorities do not want to discuss a privileged partnership, friendly relations with Romania, but cooperation with a member state of the European Union;
investments in Moldova will be accepted after a serious studying of their origin and quality, while privatisation will be accepted only for high prices, with clear advantages for state;
he is ready to accept a national or international investigation regarding properties of his family, but with the condition that those who have accused him of frauds tender resignation, if the accusations are not confirmed;
the recent elections in Gagauzia were democratic, respected national and international rigours in the field, while cooperation with newly-elected governor must confirm political stability in the region, development of the autonomy in the same context with the whole country;
the presidency remains neutral in the conflict related to Antena C and Euro TV and eventual violations in this process must be sanctioned in compliance with legislation.

Sitting on implementation of the European Union-Moldova Action Plan

The next day after he has shown the “red card” to the Government for failures related to European integration, the Moldovan president chaired a sitting on implementation of the EU-Moldova Action Plan, with the participation of heads of central public administration authorities in charge with implementing this document.

The Government was bitterly criticised for inefficiently coordinating activities in the process of implementation of the Action Plan at national level, insufficient cooperation between all executive structures for adjustment of integration efforts. In particular, the chief of state was unsatisfied with how Moldova honours its commitments on reform of justice and prosecutor’s office, highlighting the need of “a strict parliamentary control on the reform process in the field.”

Vladimir Voronin also indicated the opportunity of establishing a concrete mechanism of presentation of Moldova’s official stance regarding certain issues based on a tight cooperation between all ministries and departments participating in its elaboration to European institutions. He outlined the need of introducing a single national mechanism with clear competences of competent institutions, which would consolidate the capacity of absorption of financial assistance of the E.U., with funds being directed to priority fields and administrated efficiently.

The chief of state concluded that he would not tolerate some irresponsible attitudes toward implementation of the E.U.-Moldova Action Plan, a document of strategic importance which is fundamental for future of our state, and he is waiting for immediate and firm actions of heads of central public authorities that must shortly produce clear results.

Concerns with exploitation of subsoil

A sitting of the Supreme Security Council convoked at the initiative of Moldovan president has examined the legality, ecological and economic security of exploitation of subsoil. The chief of state raised concern with alarming situation in this field, created due to the lack of an adequate control of the state. Vladimir Voronin revealed that subsoil in Moldova is exploited and administrated extremely inefficiently and this field of activity has turned into a very profitable field dominated by illegal and criminal interests. He bitterly criticised the existing practices when economic agents participating in exploitation of mineral substances establish prices of extracted natural resources without any grounds, while taxes paid to the state budget for activity in this field are symbolical or the obligation of paying these taxes is neglected.

The Moldovan president said that the introduction of strict regulations by state in the field of exploitation of mineral deposits could and should normalise the prices of building materials and prices of residences implicitly. The state is in charge with establishing conditions for use and administration of goods of subsoil, including policy on prices of useful mineral substances. Competent authorities were told to take complex measures in order to ensure a strict control on administration and exploitation of subsoil of Moldova, so that to prevent grave damage on interests of state and citizens in future.

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