Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-05-03-Speech-3-184"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20000503.12.3-184"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:translated text |
"Mr President, Moldova bears the heavy burden of communism as do many other newly independent countries that were formerly part of the Soviet Union. Examined in human and economic terms, Moldova is faring very badly. The social situation is chaotic and democratic progress painfully slow. A civil war and the repercussions of the economic crisis in Russia have been paralysing the country for a long time now. Industry is still underdeveloped and unevenly distributed regionally. A modest export trade is based on the sale of agricultural produce to neighbouring regions. A look at the figures will show the level of desperation that exists. Since 1992, the Moldovan economy has shrunk by almost 70%. Life expectancy has fallen dramatically, and, according to a study undertaken last year by the UN, 50% of the people live below the absolute poverty line.
The Commission deserves praise for having proposed a considerable increase in financial aid to Moldova at the suggestion of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Bilateral financial aid via the TACIS programme has been reasonably successful. A big step forward is particularly visible in the areas of local administrative training, the weeding out of corruption, and the promotion of exports and agriculture. This, however, is not enough. More financial aid must be made available if we are to solve the problem in macro-financial terms. This involves developing democracy and establishing a proper financial and economic policy. Positive action to develop Moldova must be supported with measures that boost the democratic system. The Commission must see to it that the additional funding is used properly, flexibly and in a way that strengthens the basic structures of society.
Since the biggest economic problem in Moldova is its dependence on Russia, the new EU aid action must aim at severing this dependence. For example, Moldova relies totally on Russian imports of energy, and is consequently tied by a leash to Russian energy companies. The circle can only be broken by establishing Moldova’s own energy sector and the diversification of its export trade. The other problem with regard to Russia is connected with the withdrawal of troops from Moldovan territory. The EU must do all it can to make it clear to the Duma that withdrawing Russian troops from Moldova would enhance the country’s stability. Furthermore, talks on dismantling Russian missiles stockpiled in Moldova must be pushed through immediately.
My report was unanimously adopted in committee. There were good and sensible additions made to it by the Committee on Budgets. I hope that this spirit of consensus will be present too in tomorrow’s sitting."@en1
|
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples