The European Union Ambassador to Chisinau, Janis Mazeiks, harshly criticized the communist’s initiative of lawmakers to introduce a law regulating the activity of foreign agents in the Republic of Moldova. The European official referred to the joint statement of the EU High Representative and the European Commissioner for Neighborhood, warning that such measures are incompatible with European values.
“Anyone who thinks foreign agent’s law in Moldova would be a good idea should carefully read this statement. Such actions are fundamentally incompatible with EU values – democracy, the rule of law, and media pluralism – and far from what we expect from a candidate country. Being pro-European means acting pro-European” emphasized Mazeiks.
His statement comes after a proposal from a group of communist lawmakers, including Vladimir Voronin and Diana Caraman, to introduce a bill imposing severe restrictions on organizations and individuals receiving foreign funding. According to the initiative, entities considered “foreign agents” would undergo strict controls and require special approvals for various activities, including education.
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The public criticized the initiative, comparing it to the legislation imposed in Russia and recently adopted in Georgia. In the Caucasian state, lawmakers passed a similar law without public consultations, and many saw it as a tool to suppress opposition and civil society. The EU warned that these measures jeopardize democracy and affect Georgia’s European path.
In Moldova, media organizations also reacted critically, warning about the risks to press freedom. The Independent Journalism Center stated, “The proposed sanctions blocking bank accounts and imposing excessive fines are repressive measures reminiscent of authoritarian regimes.”