Moldovan President Maia Sandu delivered a speech at the International Anti-Corruption Conference 2022 in Washington, USA, on Tuesday, December 6. In her message, the head of state spoke about the importance of the fight against corruption, the process of restoring the integrity and independence of the judiciary, as well as the collaboration between law enforcement bodies in Moldova and other countries. Maia Sandu says Moldova “will make progress in the fight against corruption when other countries stop harbouring fugitive criminals and stolen goods from other countries”.

In her speech at the International Anti-Corruption Conference 2022, President Maia Sandu outlined three aspects of the fight against corruption.

“Fighting corruption is essential for preserving democracy. Secondly, political will to stop corruption is very important. Thirdly, established democracies need to rethink their approach so as not to provide safe havens for criminals and not to allow the use of stolen goods in their jurisdictions,” said the head of state.

The head of state stressed that the fight against corruption is “the place where a country’s progress starts or where it can stop,” and for Moldova corruption, especially at the political level, has had a devastating effect, with the country impoverished by almost 12% of GDP in 2014, and “Parliament, government institutions, banks and judges colluded to launder illicit financial flows from Russia worth tens of billions.”

“I felt compelled to confront the issue of corruption directly. And I can tell you that fighting it is not an easy choice. And it involves significant personal and political costs, as corrupt officials and their sponsors mobilise enormous resources to oppose change. Despite this, it is the only honest and fair choice,” she stressed.

Referring to the State of Democracy report, Sandu said “our democracy is getting stronger”,

“Moldova is in the top 25% of countries in terms of representative governance, equality and social rights. Last year, Moldova climbed 49 places in the Press Freedom Index to 40th in the world. We too are paying a high price for our progress towards an open and free society. Moldova is today under hybrid attack from Russia for refusing to accept murky geopolitical deals, for making a firm and unequivocal democratic, pro-European choice,” she said.

The head of state also welcomed the decision of the US government to include fugitives Vladimir Plahotniuc and Ilan Shor in the sanctions list and called on other countries to follow this example of sanctions.

“We need other jurisdictions to work with Moldovan law enforcement agencies. We will make progress in our fight against corruption when other countries stop harbouring fugitive criminals and stolen goods from other countries. Cooperation between law enforcement agencies in our countries will send a clear signal that there are no more places where illegally acquired assets can be hidden. Other jurisdictions should make pro-active disclosures on their own territory, and where possible, should launch their own investigations,” she said.

In her speech, the President also stressed the importance of an active civil society and independent media. She pointed out that the investigative press helped mobilise political support for the fight against corruption and corrupt interest groups.

Also during the International Anti-Corruption Conference 2022, President Sandu participated in an open discussion on democracy, corruption and the state of the phenomenon at regional level.

President Maia Sandu began her official visit to Washington on Monday, 5 December, with a meeting with USAID Administrator Samantha Power.

During her visit to Washington, the head of state also met with Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as well as Jennifer Granholm, US Secretary of Energy, and discussed the energy crisis facing Moldova.

According to the presidential institution, President Maia Sandu met with Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Republican James Risch, a member of the committee. The discussion focused on regional security, compromised by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the crises it has triggered.

Maia Sandu also met Moldovans from the diaspora in Washington.