The European Union approves the disbursement of €5 million to Moldova for police reform support.
The EU Delegation in Moldova reported this, noting that, in particular, the European Commission approved the allocation of 5 million euros to support the state budget of Moldova in order for the country to carry out police reforms. This assistance is based on the progress made through reforms in law enforcement key areas, including positive developments in the protection of human rights, prevention of abuse and ill-treatment, and the fight against police corruption. These shifts are helping to transform the Moldovan police into a more service-oriented institution. The EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Olivér Várhelyi said that the EU sustains the citizens of Moldova and supports reforms that will bring them direct benefits, including in the law enforcement sphere. “The decision we have made also means our solidarity with Moldova during the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis. Despite difficult times, efforts to implement reforms need to continue. As long as there is progress in the reform process, Moldova can count on the support of the European Union,” he said. This new EU assistance follows the second tranche of the macro-financial assistance program, which expired in July (€30 million), and the recently disbursed first tranche of the new emergency macro-financial assistance program in November (€50 million). As noted by the EU, the provision of any macro-financial assistance in the future will be strictly conditional. The European Commission and the European External Action Service will continue to closely monitor the political situation and assess the fulfillment of conditions before any future budget support is paid. The EU calls it important that, in addition to further advancing reforms, Moldova does not have any deviations from the protection of fundamental rights and the rule of law. Within the framework of the Moldova Police Reform Support Program, the EU assisted the Moldovan police in modernizing and professionalizing their structures. The transparency and independence of recruitment, merit and promotion procedures have already been improved, and progress has been noted with regard to gender equality. The Moldovan police have increased their capacity through increased competence in the field of human rights, training in modern management methods, public relations and anti-corruption, and a special Anti-Corruption Directorate has been established within the police structure. // 30.12.2020 - InfoMarket.
