Latvia backs Moldova - but no mention of massive fraud

Take note – story published 8 years ago

Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics visited EU-aspirant Moldova Thursday and expressed wide-ranging support for the country's hopes of becoming a full European Union member.

However, the topics discussed were notable for one major omission - the massive fraud that has caused huge demonstrations in Molodova with the population demanding to know how a billion dollars was sucked out of the country via Latvian banks in just three days as part of an even bigger scam. 

"In Chisinau on 15 October, during his working visit to Moldova, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Natalia Gherman, to discuss current developments in the EU-Moldova relations, including progress with the implementation of the Association Agreement and reforms, bilateral cooperation between Latvia and Moldova, namely, the development of the political dialogue, Latvia’s support for Moldova in its integration with the EU, and the expansion of economic, educational and cultural cooperation," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

"Edgars Rinkēvičs pledged Latvia’s unwavering support for Moldova’s integration with the EU, commended what Moldova has accomplished in implementation of the Association Agreement, notably in the justice, banking and finance sectors, the fight against corruption, and improving the environment for business."

However, that mention of banking sector reform was as close as the statement got to the number one issue on the Latvia/Moldova issue: how did 12% of the country's entire GDP vanish, some of it via Latvian boutique banks, as previously reported by LSM?

The BBC recently produced a radio documentary exploring the fraud and Latvia's connection to it which is avaiable online HERE.

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