Kövesi: Moldova's justice reform must continue despite challenges
Justice reform in the Republic of Moldova cannot be halted or postponed due to "inefficient" financial resources or imperfect infrastructure.
This statement was made by Laura Codruța Kövesi, Chief Prosecutor of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO). For several months, Veronica Dragalin, the head of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, has been urging the authorities to allocate a new headquarters for her institution to enhance the fight against corruption in the country. Kövesi asserts that it is essential for institutions to carry out their responsibilities with "courage and perseverance" despite all difficulties.
Changes will not occur overnight; this fight against corruption requires the mobilisation of everyone, including society, according to the Chief Prosecutor of the EPPO.
"Roll up your sleeves and get to work. You will never have the perfect budget, resources, building, or legislation as an institution. Ultimately, you must perform your duties regardless of organisational structure or legislation. Prosecutors, judges, and police officers must do their work with courage and perseverance. The fight against corruption is ongoing. If this reform has been implemented and certain administrative measures taken, changes will definitely follow," said Laura Codruța Kövesi on TV8.
It is worth noting that, so far, the Government has attempted to identify several locations for the new headquarters of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, but without success. The proposed sites include state-owned buildings such as the Faculty of Physics, Mathematics, and Information Technologies at the State Pedagogical University "Ion Creangă," the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Moldova, the former Tiraspol University building, and the former headquarters of the General Prosecutor's Office, which is currently occupied by the National Integrity Authority and the Service for Prevention and Combating Money Laundering. The Executive also proposed the Zarea Hotel in the capital.
As a result, the PA has been left without a headquarters because the available options did not meet the prosecutors' needs and due to strong objections from academic communities who expressed their disagreement with this decision.
On August 1, Government spokesperson Daniel Vodă announced that the Executive is still searching for a location for the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, assuring that an "optimal and suitable headquarters for its new employees" will be found.
Currently, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office is situated in the National Anti-Corruption Center (CNA) building, where its employees use 40 offices covering an area of 950 square metres.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
