Judges' Evaluation Commission: Vetting process is not affected by stopping USAID funding
The Judges' Evaluation Commission has announced that the suspension of USAID funding has not impacted their activities, and the commission members are continuing their work as usual. This clarification comes in response to statements made by President Maia Sandu, who suggested that the halt of external funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) would interrupt the evaluation process.
The Judges' Evaluation Commission said that it is continuing its activities as usual, adhering to the applicable legal framework and established schedule. Additionally, the Commission members are currently engaged in hearings for judges of the Central Court of Appeal, which is a crucial part of the extraordinary external evaluation process.
The Ministry of Justice has also confirmed that the extraordinary evaluation process for judges and prosecutors is ongoing, and the Judges' Evaluation Commission is functioning without interruption. It specifies that the Prosecutors' Evaluation Commission is currently on a technical pause, which is necessary for transferring funding from the United States to the European Union.
According to the Ministry, active dialogue with European partners in recent weeks has led to identifying solutions that will ensure the continuity of the evaluation process.
"These are simply technical procedures to facilitate the practical transfer of funding from the US to the EU, ensuring that work processes are not disrupted. The evaluation process for prosecutors is essential and will continue," stated representatives from the ministry.
The head of state mentioned during a TV program that it is likely that USAID assistance will be replaced with European assistance. The president is confident that the evaluation of prosecutors will proceed, even after the pause, and that the system will thus rid itself of corrupt officials.
"The evaluation of prosecutors was funded by USAID resources, and now that funding has ceased. We do not know if it will be restored, but in the meantime, we are working to secure funding from the European Union to ensure this evaluation continues. There will be another pause in the ongoing breaks that have been occurring," said Maia Sandu.
We remind you that the support from the United States for 2024 for the vetting process in the Republic of Moldova amounts to $1.5 million and is being provided through the State Department. In the justice and anti-corruption sector, the aid received through USAID totalled nearly $1.9 million.
