Russian propaganda is using any error committed between Bucharest and Chisinau, to create mistrust between European partners toward Romania's actions for Republic of Moldova, declared MEP Andi Cristea in an interview for Jurnalistii.ro.

Cristea has also accentuated that political forces from Bucharest must support the formation of a pro-European coalition in Chisinau when speaking of the general elections from this autumn, as Moldova's European track cannot be overrun by pro-Russian forces.

Jurnaliştii.ro: You have recently visited Chisinau and met with Prime Minister Pavel Filip and president of PDM, Vlad Plahotniuc. What were authorities from Chisinau aiming for within this meeting, taking into consideration the general elections from this autumn?

Andi Cristea: I have visited Chisinau to participate in the Inter-parliamentary Summit "Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine: Eastern Partnership and Current Security Challenges", hosted by the Parliament of Republic of Moldova. The event was organized in partnership with the Atlantic Council at the initiative of the Parliament Presidents of Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine. I used this occasion to have bilateral discussions at Chisinau with politicians.

Republic of Moldova and the relations with member states of the Eastern Partnership is always on the agenda of European Institutions, the interest being even deeper during elections - we do not wish to lose everything we have managed to build in the past few years.

Therefore, the topics I have discussed with officials from Chisinau were tied to reforms. I underlined the importance for continuing implementing them, as well as launched programs, despite our expectations that political debates will flare up closer to electoral campaigns.

I personally believe that the opposition East versus West describes only part of the problems Republic of Moldova faces, the biggest ones being in reform implementations and the quality of Governance. Discussions with president of PDM were based on those topics, his party claiming that the Government will continue its plans despite the elections.

Last but not least, I ensured the officials that Romania will continue offering political and economical support, confirmed a few days beforehand by Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă.

What is the stage of reforms that Moldova's Government has agreed upon with EU officials in Vilnius when the EU Association Agreement was initialed? Is Republic of Moldova a trustworthy partner?

The reforms are mostly being implemented within the agreed upon timeframe, but there is always place for improvement, especially in making sure that the impact upon the daily lives of Moldovans are becoming visible faster. The next EU - Moldova Association Council will judge the technical part, where I saw significant improvement.

We concluded that officials from Chisinau are treating European integration seriously. We also take into consideration that some reforms, as those from the justice system, needs stronger implementation - if Moldova wishes a clear adherence perspective, then they need to be more decisive.

Other reforms, such as social ones, need a longer time to be implemented, as they also depend on the central and local institution's architecture, which are also being reorganized, wrote jurnalistii.ro.

At the same time, I hope that electoral reform, which was for a long time on the public agenda and overruled other processes, will be implemented in a transparent method, while the elections will take place normally.

Therefore, Republic of Moldova is a trustworthy partner for European Union, but there is still much to be done to develop this relation. Most important is that if by the end of 2018, the pro-European coalition will not win the election, we risk a big setback.

How would you describe the relations between the President of Moldova and the Government led by Pavel Filip? Or about the comments made on a nearly daily basis against EU and Romania?

There is not much to say here, it is a purely political conflict that President Dodon loves to kindle on any occasion. I do not believe this conflict is namely against the Prime Minister of the parliamentary majority, because anyone promoting European integration would be criticized and receive a similar reaction.

The position of President in Republic of Moldova has very limited power, therefore, Mr. Dodon does not have many chances to offer the citizens all that he promised in his campaigns.

By criticizing and being against everything he is not forgotten by potential voters. He always seeks to blame others for his failures, despite his plan completely ignoring things that would truly make the lives of Moldovans better. On the topic of the declarations toward Romania and European Union I consider them both amusing and saddening.

President Dodon has no friends in EU and has no intentions to make any. At the same time, the help his friends from the East offers to Moldova doesn't even come close to what Romania and European Union does for this country. As you can see, there are political reasonings, but all those methods will only harm the economy and stability.

What are your opinions on the unionist movement in Republic of Moldova and the declarations signed by nearly 70 settlements from Moldova? Is it truly possible to reunite the two countries?

In a way, such thoughts will always exist in Republic of Moldova, just like they do in Romania. Citizens of Romania have the full right to express their opinions on this topic. I do not know the size of this project at the moment, or its potential. Still, even if we use symbols, such as the declarations signed by City Halls from Moldova, in the end it all depends on the will of the people.

We can also speak of how Russian propaganda is using any misstep to poison the relations between Bucharest and Chisinau and to create mistrust among European partners regarding Romania's actions for Republic of Moldova. Still, parties that support relations with Romania or European Union should start thinking about creating a pro-European coalition.

As an European official I wish the soviet barrier to cease existing in relations between Romania and Republic of Moldova, and only for the one from the Schengen Area to remain existing, between two member states of EU.

I believe that we should concentrate on the problems Republic of Moldova faces, which Romania has been doing for a long time: by offering financial assistance, material and technical support, backing Chisinau within the European Union and always worrying about the fate of the people from Moldova, as many of them have Romanian passports. I believe that relations between Romania and Republic of Moldova is just like that of two mature brothers.

What of the visit Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă paid to Chisinau? Do you believe it will revive the relations between Bucharest and Chisinau, after they ceased while the country was led by Prime Minister Mihai Tudose?

The visit of Madam Viorica Dăncilă to Republic of Moldova is truly a positive sign: after Brussels, Prime Minister of Romania went to Chisinau. It is obvious that for Bucharest, relations with Republic of Moldova are very importance, always developing in different areas.

I do not know if we can speak of a revival, since it is the result of processes previously launched, such as the gas pipeline and Bucharest reaffirming priorities regarding Chisinau: support within the European Union, Romanian investments into Moldova, political and governmental dialogue, supporting institutional reforms.

The most important aspect is that the majority from Bucharest treat relation with Chisinau as a priority, while at Brussels we always try to ensure a fair institutional report. Romania believes in Republic of Moldova's chances, which are visible both in politics and the business environment.

How do you believe the elections from this autumn in Chisinau will unfold? What are the chances of pro-European and pro-unionist parties in this fight?

I hope this year they will take a more rational approach, led by a political class that will be worthy of leading this country for the next four years. Unfortunately, I believe there will also be a strong geopolitical campaign, which cannot be avoided except through a coherent project in the whole country. The chances will therefore be based on the existence or nonexistence of such a project, a political coalition and a society that will support it.

The project of European integration is one that I strongly believe in, but it will be the determining factor to the coagulation of those who can see it through.

At the same time, surveys shows better than I do that the pro-European parties are supported. Their only challenge will be the creating of a coalition against pro-Russian forces and to stop fighting among themselves, because in the end, all that will count is the number of votes the pro-European case will gain.