Interlic.md

The Secretariat of the Energy Community has serious concerns about the continued prosecution of Victor Parlicov, Director General of the national energy regulator of Moldova, ANRE. Mr Parlicov had been removed from office for the first time in July 2013 by the Parliament of Moldova on political grounds. Already then, the Secretariat had expressed its concern in a letter to the decision-makers in the country and in the European Union. The dismissal was subsequently declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court.

Currently, Mr Parlicov is accused, and has been convicted in the first instance, for violations of the rules on state secrecy. If the ruling is upheld by the Chisinau Court of Appeal at its session this Thursday, Director General Parlicov will be deprived of the right to hold public office for one year. In this situation, and without prejudice to the impartiality of the Moldovan courts, the Secretariat sees a need to underline the great importance the Energy Community attaches to the independence of national energy regulators. Independence of regulators of any politically motivated interference in their work or their capacity to exercise office ranks among the highest values of the Energy Community. Maintaining this independence is legally binding on Moldova as a Contracting Party to the Energy Community. The Secretariat will observe the developments in the case against Mr Parlicov very closely and, if required, not hesitate to take infringement action.