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Moldova Moves to Strengthen Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Mechanisms

In a significant step towards enhancing its anti-corruption efforts, the Republic of Moldova has launched a major project aimed at strengthening the rule of law and anti-corruption mechanisms in the country.

Joint Initiative between EU and BMZ

The “Strengthening the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Mechanisms in the Republic of Moldova” project is a joint initiative of the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with a total volume of €12.45 million.

Objectives

The project, which will run from April 2020 to March 2025, aims to contribute to the prevention and fight against corruption in Moldova by:

  • Engaging civil society in corruption prevention
  • Strengthening the institutional and operational capacities of specialized investigative authorities and public prosecutor’s offices
  • Ensuring efficient corruption and money laundering prevention
  • Enhancing communication and cooperation skills among partner institutions

Key Areas for Improvement

The project has identified several key areas for improvement, including:

  • Increasing citizens’ awareness of the harms of corruption and ways to fight it
  • Enhancing the institutional and operational capacities of specialized investigation and prosecutors’ bodies
  • Establishing a national criminal asset recovery system
  • Implementing effective systems of declaration of assets and conflicts of interest

Commitment to Anti-Corruption Efforts

“We are committed to strengthening our anti-corruption mechanisms and ensuring transparency and accountability in all aspects of public life,” said [name], Minister of Justice of Moldova. “This project is a crucial step towards achieving these goals and demonstrating our commitment to becoming a member of the EU.”

Achievements

The project has already achieved several significant milestones, including:

  • Introduction of legislation for a confiscation mechanism against organized crime
  • Adoption of a de-oligarchization action plan
  • Increase in investigations and convictions related to corruption cases

Implementation Partners

The project is being implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, in partnership with local authorities and stakeholders.

Expected Impact

The programme is expected to have a significant impact on the fight against corruption in Moldova, and will contribute to the country’s efforts to become a member of the EU.