Grosu: EU confidence in Moldova remains strong despite public sector pay scandals
The Speaker of the Parliament, Igor Grosu, asserts that the European Union's (EU) confidence in the Republic of Moldova's commitment to its European path remains strong, despite recent public scandals concerning salaries and employment in government positions. He emphasizes that European partners assess a country primarily based on how its institutions respond to such incidents. These remarks were made during the July 15 edition of the program "I and the European Union" on Moldova 1.
"The European Union's confidence in the European path of the Republic of Moldova is firm. I can confirm this based on my discussions with our partners. Of course, these scandals and incidents are regrettable, but the European Union evaluates the country, first of all, by the capacity of the authorities to react to these situations", declared Igor Grosu.
The Speaker of the Parliament stated that the reaction of the state institutions, including the recognition of the problems and their correction, is an important element for the European partners.
"It is very clear if someone is trying to hide something. What matters is the capacity of the state authorities to react, to sanction where it needs to be sanctioned, to correct and move on. That is what we are doing", said Grosu.
According to him, the recent decision of the 27 member states of the European Union to open a new group of negotiation chapters is proof that the Republic of Moldova continues to benefit from the trust of the European partners.
Igor Grosu also commented on the situation involving Anastasia Taburceanu, the cousin of President Maia Sandu, who was targeted in an investigation into additional payments granted by the state-owned enterprise Moldatsa. According to Grosu, Taburceanu returned all the financial resources received from the enterprise, including her salary and allowances.
"We must learn from these incidents, we must correct them. Those who abused must be sanctioned, and those who took advantage of certain resources must return them. This is also the case with Anastasia Taburceanu, who, from the information I have up to date, returned to the Moldatsa account all the resources she received from this institution," Grosu declared on Moldova 1.
Asked what amount was returned, the Speaker of Parliament stated that it was all the payments she received from the enterprise during the period she worked there.
"I don't know the exact amount, the institution must communicate it. It's about everything she received from this institution: salary and allowances, for the period she worked there", said Igor Grosu.
Radu Marian "publicly assumed his mistake"
Asked if Radu Marian's resignation from the position of chairman of the Economy, Budget and Finance Committee is enough or if he should also give up his mandate as a deputy after the Moldatsa scandal, just as Alexandr Trubca left Parliament after it was discovered that he had launched into a multi-million dollar business, Igor Grosu stated that the former's situation "is different".
"I think these cases are different. Radu Marian is a person who has been very involved. He has been responsible for many areas that fall under the competence of the Committee on Economy, Budget and Finance. I believe in his dedication. He made that mistake of recommending a person who turned out to be a swindler and publicly assumed this mistake", commented Igor Grosu.
The Speaker of the Parliament added that the deputy of the Action and Solidarity Party must learn from this experience, but believes that he can continue his activity in the Legislature.
We recall that a journalistic investigation at the end of June revealed that the former director of the company responsible for airspace security, Dumitru Vangheli, obtained the position after indicating incorrect information in his CV. He received a salary of almost 110 thousand lei per month.
Shortly after, it was learned that the former spokesperson for Moldatsa also had a monthly income of 120 thousand lei. Anastasia Taburceanu, who is also the cousin of President Maia Sandu, resigned.
The scandal also caused other departures. On June 29, the deputy of the Action and Solidarity Party, Radu Marian, announced that he was resigning from his position as chairman of the parliamentary committee on economy, budget and finance. His place was taken by deputy Victoria Belous.
Roman Cojuhari also announced his resignation as director general of the Public Property Agency on the evening of June 29, about a week after the scandal at the Moldatsa enterprise broke out.
Moldatsa is currently under investigation by the National Anticorruption Center and the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office in a case of abuse of office. Law enforcement officers have discovered several instances of financial abuse and revealed 33 hirings made without competition.
