Prime Minister Pavel Filip gave an interview to IPN with the occasion of Moldova's 25 years of Independence

According to the official, from a USSR republic to a free country, Moldova has progressed a lot and we can't not recognize this, despite the disappointments that exist in the economic situation,where  still remain many things to be recovered for us to like like West.

The full interview given by Pavel Filip for IPN.

- Mr. Prime Minister, please appreciate how Moldova looks after a quarter century of Independence. If you could talk about the big achievements and failures of this period, what would they be?

- To appreciate our state for how it has evolved in 25 years of Independence, we should see which were the ideals that have animated us when we declared out independence. What we wanted then was, first, freedom and the desire to live decently in a truly democratic state. I think, although there have been too many years of indecision and stagnation, Moldova has made great strides. Our country began a process of rapprochement with the European Union, we have already achieved visa liberalization, which led to emancipation emanipation and extraordinary mobility of our citizens, especially young people. The society has matured, especially by exercising several rounds of elections, the media became free, and many of our institutions have begun, especially following the reforms that the Governemnt that I lead had begun, a comprehensive process of modernization and connection to Western practices, European transparency and integrity. From a USSR republics to a free country, Moldova has progressed a lot and this we can't not recognize, despite the disappointments that exist in the economic situation, where we still still remain many things to be recovered for us to live like West. 

Moreover, the economy situation and social issues are the chapters that can be passed as failure. For sure, there could have been done more in these 25 years, if our country would have had a development and continuity vision in its application. That is why it is so important that the European integration process, one that can bring us, in fact, prosperity and a standard of living better for everyone, shall not be  interrupted, but rather strengthen and deepen. This is why I made the call to whole society- by showing solidarity around the European integration goal. I hope very much that this appeal will be heard and followed by as many people. If we do that, I assure you that the future will find us in a much better situation. Seriously, we can do together in the next decade for Moldova which has not managed in 25 years.

- In recent years, several large foreign investors, who went including the Government, have declared their intention to come with significant investments in Moldova, but the projects have not come to be launched. What can be the reason?

-Any investor wants security for the investments they make. No one invests money where there is instability and scnadal and excessive bureaucracy. That is why, in the six months the Government has taken measures tp attract business and investment. We started with the political stabilization of the country and government and parliamentary mejority began working for Moldova and political sabotage stopped. I continued with the introduction of the moratorium on controls carried out by state institutions from economic agents, reducing the number of permits for entreprenorial activity, extension of tax breaks for companies in the IT industry, but also other measures such as the operalization  of the Prime Economic Council Minister, which is an open platform for dialogue between business and institutions. These actions have attracted investors' interest towards our country. They saw that Moldova is a country that knows what it wants, who proceeded to achievement. This is the main reason why during this period Moldova becomes an attraction for investors. In this sense I will give only one last example - "Coroplast" German company will invest in the following years about 10 million euro and will create about 1,500 new jobs. Also in autumn we will launch a privatizations  program of state companies, in order to make investment trust international partners benefits embodied in the IMF agreement.

- How did Moldova has used so far the opportunity to come closer to the European Union, declared a priority for the government?

-I took over the governance of the government in a very difficult moment, but through joint efforts, the Government and Parliament have managed to do in a few months, as some governments in four years. We set along with our external partners a roadmap that was completed on time, on July 31, and this led to external financing release. I will refer to the Romanian Government's decision to unblock credit of 150 million euros, and the first tranche of money will arrive in Moldova by the end of August. The IMF agreement, also negotiated  by this government that will bring the release of EU funding, opening the possibility of international markets and more determination in the implementation of the Association Agreement. We are therefore in a very good moment, a moment of trust and support in our relations with European partners, and this is only for the benefit of our country, because it means money and expertise for the development of our country. Moldova is no longer a problem, but a partner who keeps his word and shows that deserves the EU and US support. We are focused on further progress in our path towards the EU. In the relation with external partners and citizens we want to be judged only by our actions. And in this sense, I assure you that we will demonstrate maximum responsibility. the rhythm will not be weakned. I want a government even more active in carrying out reforms, because I want the highest impact and positive daily life of every Moldovan.

- You talked about the relationship with the West, but what are the priorities on another dimension? How do you see the relationship with Russia? 

- I hope that they move forward in economic cooperation and political dialogue between our states. Besides, this is what we discussed at the meeting with Russian Prime Minsiter Dmitry Medvedev, at Biskek. We need to overcome the barriers that exist in our trade relations. And I think it's time to build these relationships on fairness and pragmatism principles, to the benefit of both countries. Of course, the Europe case needs to be understood and respected by our driends in Moscow. 

- We can judge the independence degree of the country, considering how independent are state institutions, such as the Prosecutor Office, National Anticorruption Center, Courts etc. If we are guided by opinion polls, the confidence in these institutions is still low. How long do you think it is necessary for citizens to feel that things are changing for the better?

- It would be frivolous to submitt such terms. What I can tell you is that the reforms that we started in Justice, most of them with the help of experts and European institutions will certainly bring that transformation that awaits our whole society. Incidentally, the first results are visible already. The fact that we have investigated cases in which judges and prosecutors are corrupt is proof that the justice system itself starts to clean up. And this process will bring inevitably to greater independence of the system and more confidence. As Prime Minister I can tell that Moldova is now on the right path, which we will not turn round. You can be sure of this. Equality before the law and the fight against high-level corruption have become, through the reforms already adopted basic principles of governance.

- I would like to ask you about the upcoming presidential elections on October 30. What are your expectations from this election and who should be the next president of the Republic of Moldova?

- The future president must be a supporter of European vector of development. As I said, for us to develop, we need consistency. And that means that all state powers need to be 

- The future president must be a supporter European vector of development. As I said, for us to develop, we need consistency. And that means that all state powers need to be pulled in the same direction. This direction should be the European Union, I have no doubt in this regard. Despite the problems we face right now, the European Union remains an attraction for countries like Moldova. This are the things that we want here in Moldova, like European Union freedom, security, prosperity and the rule of law. I want a president who will work with the Government and Parliament to accelerate European integration, not a president to change the new direction of the country or to create chaos, dealing with sabotaging the Government, calling people to the streets or waving the perspective of early elections. After seven months we have shown with work and seriousness that it would be a shame to stop everything and go back to the disaster from January. Moldova needs an active chairman, serious, pro-European reformist joining forces in society and that is placed on construction, not destruction.

- What thoughts do you have for the eve of celebrating the 25th Independence?

- I want to wish all Moldovan citizens confidence in the future of our country and an active engage in processes that can strengthen us as a state and society. Together we are strong and dignified in Europe!