Doc. 9804

14 May 2003

Situation in Moldova

Written Question No. 425 to the Committee of Ministers

Reply from the Committee of Ministers

adopted at the 839^th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies (7 May 2003)

I. Written Question No. 425 by Mr Cubreacov and Mrs Patereu (Doc. 9766)

To ask the Committee of Ministers:

i.       whether, since June 1996, the Committee of Ministers has been monitoring Moldovan compliance and non-compliance with the recommendations in Resolution 1096;

ii.       what action the Moldovan Government has taken since June 1996 on the recommendations in Resolution 1096;

iii.       how the Committee of Ministers assesses the extent of decommunisation of Moldovan society;

iv.       whether the Committee of Ministers considers it necessary to publicly express its position on this matter.

II. Reply by the Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers

1.       As the honourable parliamentarians are aware, Assembly resolutions, in principle, do not call for action on behalf of the Committee of Ministers. The Committee of Ministers is not in possession of reports concerning measures taken by Moldova since 1996 in respect of this resolution and consequently cannot take the kind of official stand that the honourable members are seeking. In this context, it may be recalled that, neither Resolution 1096 (1996) nor any other Council of Europe text contains a specific obligation for member states to report to the Council of Europe on the dismantling of the former communist system in their countries

2.       The Committee of Ministers wishes to underline, however, that all Council of Europe assistance and co-operation programmes, as well as the Joint Council of Europe/European Commission programmes with member states, aim at strengthening pluralist democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Their implementation, with the help of public authorities and other persons involved with reform, therefore contributes in a general way to the steady dismantling of the heritage of the former communist totalitarian system in the countries concerned.

3.       Concerning more particularly Moldova, the Committee of Ministers takes this opportunity to recall its recent endeavours – and those of the Secretary General – to stimulate dialogue between the different political forces in the country and to promote the hastening of democratic reforms, particularly in view of the Moldovan Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers which will begin on 15 May 2003. The Committee reiterates its appeal to all those involved in the political life of the nation to rid themselves of polemic attitudes and to work in a constructive way, respecting each others’ opinions and stand points, in the greater interest of the country and the construction of a stable, peaceful and democratic Europe.