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Foreign Affairs on July 12–25, 2004
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e-journal #35 |
Moldovan — Russian relations
Shortly after President Voronin’s recent visit to Moscow to the informal Summit of the CIS heads of state, Moldovan Minister of the Foreign Affairs Andrei Stratan flew to Moscow as well. Topping his official visit agenda was the meeting with his Russian counterpart, Serghei Lavrov.
According to Russian press, the two Ministers considered “all the spheres of interaction, including economic ones”. In this respect, the Two agreed to sign an inter-ministerial plan of consultations for 2004 — 2005 that would strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two parties.
Settling Transdnistrian conflict was topping the agenda. In fact, on the eve of the meeting Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated through its Spokesman Aleksandr Iakovenko that Transdnistrian issues would be given due consideration.
Referring to Transdnistrian problem, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs indicated that “Republic of Moldova and Russia plead for speeding up the resolution of the problem. /…/ Transdnistrian problem should be settled by preserving territorial integrity of Moldova and by coordinating the status of Transdnistria”.
As for the Russian peacekeepers, the head of Russian diplomacy stressed that their mandate was valid, especially as it represented an important mechanism for ensuring negotiation process. Russian diplomat had the same opinion as regards the pentagonal negotiation format, that had to remain unchanged, but made more efficient.
In addition, privatization in Transdnistria was another issue on the agenda, Minister Stratan reiterated official position of Moldova thereby it was illegal as it was done without Chisinau’s consent to it.
Yet another issue considered by the Two diplomats was the Stability and Security Pact for Moldova. Russian diplomat indicated that Moscow had no essential objections to the Moldovan President’s initiative that “falls within the negotiation process in view of settling Transdnistrian conflict”.
Annual reunion of the heads of diplomatic and consular missions of the Republic of Moldova
Last week Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the annual reunion of the heads of Republic of Moldova consular and diplomatic missions abroad. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press service, diplomats reviewed the enforcement of the foreign policy component of the Government Plan as well as current tasks lying ahead of Moldovan diplomacy. Noteworthy, Government Action Program for years 2001–2005 “Revival of economy — revival of the country” includes a chapter on foreign policy including among others:
- Consolidation of sovereignty, statehood and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova;
- Developing and enforcing National Strategy of Republic of Moldova Integration into the European Community and other international communities;
- Examining the issue of Republic of Moldova’s adherence to Customs Union of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and later on possibility to join economic structures of Russia-Belarus;
- Extending mutually advantageous cooperation with USA;
- Multilateral development of traditional relations with neighbourhood countries Romania and Ukraine;
- Extending relations with Western Europe, especially with Germany, France, UK, Italy and Netherlands;
- Promoting a more active cooperation with countries in the Black Sea region, Central Europe and Southeast Asia;
- Active participation of the Republic of Moldova in the activities of UN, OSCE, and Council of Europe;
- Extending Republic of Moldova’s participation in regional organizations that aids the country’s integration into European structures.
As no significant progress was registered so far in any of the aforesaid directions, regress even being registered in some of them, Minister Stratan pointed to the need of focussing on European integration, although no breakthroughs were registered here as well, except for some minor institutional ones. Nevertheless, institutional innovations introduced (National Commisision for European Integration, European Integration Department, Parliament Commission for European Integration) have been not very encouraging in terms of their efficiency. Evidence to this are: delay in developing European Integration Strategy of the Republic of Moldova and Action Plan for its enforcement; ambiguous Conception on Republic of Moldova Integration in European Union.
Minister Stratan paid a great attention to the Republic of Moldova — EU Action Plan and the need to improve the cooperation between diplomatic missions and central authorities so as to capitalize on all its provisions. Other recommendations of the Minister Stratan referred to: joint efforts to involve international community in the settlement of the Transdnistrian conflict; Moldova’s Embassies should be more active in helping its citizens solve their problems, in attracting investments and technical assistance into the country, in bolstering trade and protecting Moldova’s economic interests.
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