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20 parties have registered in the current election campaign. Many people say it is a too big number for such a small country as Moldova. At the same time, much more parties could take part in the election campaign.

Activists launch Moldova’s first ‘Space Camp’ © Susan Coughtrie

EU commissioner addresses Moldovan Parliament in the absence of largest faction

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• Scandal in Moldovan parliament over deputies' relatives, INFOTAG, 29 July 2011, 9:00

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The high-ranked EU official's airplane landed in Chisinau this afternoon half an hour behind schedule. Accordingly, his meeting with Moldova's Acting President, Parliament Chairman Mihai Ghimpu began with a 30-minute delay, and the special solemn meeting of the Moldovan Parliament - with about one-hour delay.

Welcoming the high guest in parliament, Mihai Ghimpu said the presence of the European Union Commissioner in the room is an extra proof of Moldova's efforts aimed at integration into Europe.

Ghimpu said, "Our European integration is an irreversible process. The backing Moldova receives from European institutions is regarded by the Moldovan society as a valuable credit of trust, and we are deeply grateful for the trust".

He added that the previous [Communist] authorities had a double-dealing attitude to Moldova's integration with the European Union, unlike the currently governing Alliance for European Integration, which is demonstrating tangible successes on this road.
Addressing the Moldovan lawmakers, Stefan Fule apologized for being late, and voiced pity that not all parliamentary political forces are present in the room. He voiced hope this circumstance should not mean that some parliamentary parties do not wish Moldova's integration into the European Union. He said the Communists' presence would give the possibility to discuss the press freedom question and their troubles.

Stefan Fule underscored that Chisinau has made serious efforts in the spheres of foreign policy, security, trade, and European integration. He said that in 1991-2009, the European Union had rendered Moldova assistance totaling 270 million euros in grants, and is going to build up this figure to 550 million euros by the year 2013.

The European Commissioner wished Moldovan parliamentarians all the best in their reaching a compromise on constitutional reform, a way to which has been clearly shown by the Venice Commission. In his words, the European Union hopes Moldova will eventually take a correct path.

All the four AEI faction leaders and independent parliamentarians Vladimir Turcan and Veaceslav Untila took floor during the special plenary sitting organized on the occasion of the Europe Day celebration in Moldova. The opposition Communist Party faction did not show up in the forum, though only two days ago MCP Chairman, ex-president Vladimir Voronin stated the Communists would made an exception on such a serious occasion - the visit of the high guest, and would come. But they did not.

The Communist faction left the Parliament over a month ago in protest against the majority coalition's reluctance to announce a parliament dissolution date and to appoint a date for early parliamentary elections.

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