Prime Minister Pavel Filip offered an interview for MOLDPRES after his visit to Brussels. The official spoke of the progresses registered in Moldova, the macro-financial assistance and the future elections.

MOLDPRES: Mister Prime Minister, what are the main things citizens must know after your visit to Brussels?

Pavel Filip: Each such meeting with EU officials confirmed that Republic of Moldova is closer to EU, that our progresses, despite much yet to be done, have started being felt in the economy and society. Over the past two years I have worked in the Government and Parliament with European integration in mind. We are happy that it was appreciated both at Brussels and by citizens of Moldova. I have met with European leaders and spoke of reforms, implementation of Association Agreement and subject that need to be worked on by the end of my mandate.

First of all: the Association Agreement and DCFTA is an advantage to both Republic of Moldova and EU and we must continue cooperating to implement all set measures. Republic of Moldova and EU are partners. It is an important political message in a year when the option for Europe must once again be defended.

Secondly, the progresses officially recognized by EU partners must be mentioned: reforms that stabilized the country's economy, restored credibility with international financial institutions, brought into force laws on Central Bank and monitoring the banking sector, modifications in the Audiovisual law or trade growth, especially through exporting local products on the European market. At the same time, our initiative to constantly consult with civil society regarding measures to improve the economy and society was appreciated, as well as the reforms with European norms in the energy sector. Progresses in solving the Transnistria issue were also on the agenda, along with the idea to intensify cooperation to face hybrid threats and improve cyber security. We presented the prioritized reforms for 2018, that were welcomed by our partners.

European integration is not a race, Republic of Moldova has time: we completed all terms and proved that we can generate results in crucial areas, such as justice and combating corruption. Republic of Moldova has a governance that represents Brussels's interests. We are the only ones that can establish a pace.

MOLDPRES: The macro-financial assistance is a topic interesting both the Government and the people. When will the money arrive and what will the Government do with them?

Pavel Filip: Commissioner Hahn mentioned that the macro-financial assistance depends on the functionality of the National Integrity Agency, on the supplementary budget for the activity of anticorruption institutions and IMF's report. We have a good relation with IMF, the results were expected, therefore in June we expect a positive evaluation by the institution's executive board. Regarding the other two measures, the Government will ensure their fast implementation, to prove once again that anticorruption has the executive's full support. We aim to complete all terms by the end of the plenary session, for all three tranches to be offered of the macro-financial assistance, not only the first. I strongly believe that the first two tranches will be offered this year, we will try to go after the third tranche as well, but taking into consideration the administrative process, it might arrive only after elections. We continue to implement measures to receive the European money. Those will be important for the country's economic growth through efficient public investments.

MOLDPRES: Every Commissioner spoke of the bank fraud scandal, of anticorruption, of the electoral law. What has the Government done and does to ease the European Commission's concerns?

Pavel Filip: Regarding the fraud, we are at the point when the banking system recovered and ensured, through new laws, that such a fraud cannot happen again. Furthermore, foreign investments begun in our banking sector, which proved our credibility. We also have a complete evaluation of all that happened, made by a foreign company. We already published the most important points of the second Kroll report, which was sent in its complete form to prosecutors, for the guilty to be brought to justice. We will need the cooperation of our European partners to recover the stolen money. The progress might be faster, while Government will fully support the prosecutors.

We gained significant results over the past two years in fighting against corruption, while joint declaration made after the Association Council meeting mentioned aspects such as the law against money laundering and the reform of the justice institution. We will offer administrative and financial support for the new institutions to be operational. It is an aspect prioritized by the Government. Regarding the electoral law, we presented measures taken by the Government and the Parliament, as well as the policies existing in such decisions. Most recommendations of the Venice Commission were implemented, within a correct and inclusive law and I hope that parties will concentrate on presenting political projects worthy of our citizens.

MOLDPRES: In all held meetings you spoke of the general elections that will take place this year. Why have you insisted so much on this subject?

Pavel Filip: Elections are a serious subject for the Government. On one hand, there are many displeased by our European aspirations and of the foreign policy we led for the past two years. Therefore, we insist on securing communication, to prevent fake news from poisoning the people, many opinions on false topics are created, much fake information of what it means to be close to Europe. I spoke in Brussels on this topic, we wish to consolidate cooperation, because in recent years Europe took the problem of fake news seriously. We also changed the audiovisual law, but we must be more active in areas still vulnerable.

On another hand, Republic of Moldova is at the moment a polarized country, first of all in terms of politics, which means not only lack of political support, but also lack of responsibility in some and the presence of the will to ruin the country, as long as it meets their interests. There are already messages in mass media, be it truth or rumors, of boycotting the elections, of civic disobedience, of disrespecting the will of people. We know how much damage such events might cause a country that has only recovered from instability, that is raising economically, attracts foreign investors and creates jobs in the private sector. We reject such provocations and wish to answer them - in the end, nobody is more interested than the Government in having correct and free elections. We evoked the possibility that the elections will be monitored by international organizations, but we are open to other measures as well, both from the opposition and foreign partners. Therefore, as mentioned before, the subject was present during my speeches in Brussels. Consolidation of democracy starts from correct elections, while we wish to prove that we are democratic and make solid progresses with the aim to consolidate.

MOLDPRES: President Dodon requested your resignation because you spoke of the possibility of European decision-makers to implicate in forming a new pro-European majority, in the context of the general elections. How will you answer?

Pavel Filip: President Dodon wishes a Prime Minister and Government that will bury Republic of Moldova's European project. The more we try to make European integration irreversible, the more socialists try to close the gate to Europe. This is President Dodon's big plan, that he does not even attempts to hide: a barrier between us and European Union. It only speaks of his personality, that he cannot do more than putting a spoke in the wheel. Since December though, if we do not mobilize and be united, his plan might come true - which will be a tragedy for the country.

Personally, I will continue speaking of what I believe in: European integration, political responsibility and a reformist governance that brings results for citizens. The support of the European Union became the decisive factors at time and it might repeat this year as well. The country's fate is at stake. I believe that those with pro-European vision from Moldova will gather around a single political project.