Judicial reform is still the most sensitive topic between Chisinau and Brussels as Moldova works towards its declared goal of joining the European Union by 2030. The accession process starts and ends with fundamental values and the rule of law, so justice system reform is central to Moldova’s European ambitions.
A key part of this effort is the special evaluation of judges and prosecutors, known as vetting. At the end of March, President Maia Sandu told Moldova’s General Assembly of Judges that justice reform is still a top priority and called on magistrates to support the external review of their ethics and finances.
“I have said it before, and I repeat: we are not reforming justice because the European Union or a commissioner asks us to do so, but because the people of this country want the law to prevail, and they want to trust that when they seek justice in court, they will find it. And time is limited,” Sandu said.
She warned judges that how quickly and credibly justice reform moves will directly affect Moldova’s next steps in EU accession talks.