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On 8 May 2003, Moldova ratified the Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Agreement provides for the extension of the mutual trade and ensuring conditions for loyal competition in the trade relations between the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Following the entry into force of the Agreement, customs duties on exports and imports, equivalent taxes and other fiscal taxes will be lifted. The goods exported from Moldova will not be subject to tariff and non-tariff measures. Also, restrictions on trade in goods are to be gradually abolished, including for agricultural products. The Agreement is to be implemented by December 2005.

Another important event likely to mark the Moldovan foreign policy, at least for the next half of year, was the participation of a group of Moldovan officials, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nicolae Dudau, on 14–15 May, in the 112th Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CE) at which he took over the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers. During the session, the high Moldovan dignitary presented to the 45 ministers of the CE Member States the programme of the Moldovan chairmanship for the next half of year. The programme is entitled “Unity through Diversity” and comprises two fundamental goals: enhancing unity among CE Member States and of the European continent in general, and building on the social, cultural, linguistic, religious and spiritual diversity with a view to a common European patrimony. Mr Dudau mentioned that during the chairmanship, Moldova would ratify the Criminal Convention on Corruption, the European Convention on the International Validity of Judicial Decisions and the European Convention on the Transfer of Criminal Procedures, and will promote the signature of other important European conventions. The Moldovan programme also refers to the fight against international terrorism, smuggling and human trafficking, the resolution of “frozen” conflicts, CE relations with Monaco, Belarus and other states that have recently joined the European body etc.

The meeting also discussed the role of the CE in the “wide Europe”, as well as the method of enhancing the efficiency of the European Court for Human Rights.

The event was commented upon by the Prime Minister Tarlev as one like to allow Moldova to achieve better progress in solving the Transdnistrian conflict, attract funds for socio-economic programmes, and improve bilateral relations with the European states.

It is to be reminded that the Moldovan Foreign Minister took the Chairmanship over from the Maltese Foreign Minister Joe Borg. Moldova became a full-fledged member of the Council of Europe in July 1995; Moldova was the first CIS State and the 35th state to join the Council. For the purpose of carrying out the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, the European Union will grant Moldova 200,000 Euro worth of technical assistance.

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