The EU Ambassador to Chisinau Iwona Piorko Bermig said at the Forum on Justice Reform and the Fight against Corruption that the Republic of Moldova stands at a crossroads between a past shaped by injustice and corruption and a future in which justice becomes a guaranteed right for all citizens.
The diplomat praised the progress made by Moldovan authorities in recent years and noted that the European Commission 2025 Report confirms improvements in the justice sector and sustained efforts to fight corruption. She added that the Council of the European Union has acknowledged stronger integrity within the justice system, including through the continuation of the external evaluation of judges and prosecutors and the work of specialized institutions staffed by vetted magistrates.
The ambassador said authorities are strengthening criminal prosecution capacities and the recovery of criminal assets, and she stressed that the integrity of institutions responsible for asset confiscation remains essential. She pointed out that citizens already feel the results of these reforms, as Moldova gained 11 points in the rule of law index in the area of combating corruption.
She announced that the European Union will continue to support the Republic of Moldova and will allocate 14 million euros next year to accelerate the digitalization of the justice system and equip it with modern technologies. At the same time, she warned that authorities still need to do significant work, including improving access to information, strengthening interinstitutional cooperation, speeding up external evaluations, and enhancing prosecutorial capacities, especially in vulnerable sectors.
The EU ambassador emphasized that fighting corruption does not rest only with the authorities, but also with every citizen who chooses not to remain silent. In this context, she highlighted the key role of civil society and independent media in ensuring democratic resilience and noted that recent elections showed how essential a free press is for democracy.
In conclusion, the diplomat said that Moldova’s European path is challenging, but the experience of EU member states shows that this process builds stronger and more resilient institutions. She assured that the European Union will continue to support the Republic of Moldova on its path toward EU accession and integration into the European family.