Foreign Affairs on June 15–30, 2006

Republic of Moldova — Council of Europe

A Moldovan delegation headed by Deputy Speaker Maria Postoico has attended the ordinary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). PACE focussed on illegal secret detentions in Europe; affirmation of freedom of expression and respect for beliefs (case of Turkey). PACE will take an attitude towards countries which did not abolish the death penalty, rights of migrants, violation against women. A draft recommendation motion on support for development in the Black Sea area (cooperation between local and regional authorities) was introduced in the working procedure.

Republic of Moldova — European Union

The Chisinau authorities will ask the European Union to sign the association agreement after the implementation of the Moldova-E.U. Action Plan, with the purpose “to guarantee the irreversible course of European integration of Moldova.” Deputy Premier Andrei Stratan has delivered these statements at a news conference at which he summarised the activity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration in the first half of 2006. The minister noted that negotiations between Moldova and the E.U. regarding a facilitated visa regime will begin at the end of this year.

Marianne Mikko, head of the European Parliament Delegation to the E.U.-Moldova Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, has invited the European Commission while on a visit to Chisinau to intensify the efforts for assistance of Moldova’s European integration path. The visit of the delegation to Moldova demonstrates solidarity with this state and determination to support and to help Moldova solve its problems and the dependence on the Russian market, facilitating the Moldovan products to the E.U. market, Mikko said. The European dignitary outlined that Moldova has registered some significant progresses regarding the adoption of laws and adjustment of legislation to international standards (though they the emphasis should be on their quality and appropriate implementation), after her last visit in late 2005. There are insufficient progresses in fight against corruption at high level, respect for human rights, freedom of mass media, etc. As regards the Pasat Case, Mikko said that his health condition is alarming and he needs a proper medical treatment. Although they do not contest the judgment, the European parliamentarians consider that 10 years of detention is a too grave verdict for selling some aircraft to the United States, not to Iran. “Pasat is both a detainee for us and a test if Moldova respects the human rights and if the powers in the state are separated in this country,” Mikko added.

The head of the E.U. Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine says that an additional contingent of European customs officers has already been selected to enlarge the activity of the mission. General Ferent Banfi has delivered this statement at a meeting with Premier Vasile Tarlev. Banfi noted that actions are taken to open more territorial offices of the mission both in Moldova and in Ukraine.

Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security Franco Frattini has proposed the opening of a centre in Chisinau to issue Schengen visas to Moldovan citizens. The initiative was launched at a meeting with President Vladimir Voronin and it will be raised for debates to E.U. member states in July.

The Moldovan president has met Mariann Fischer Boel, commissioner for agriculture and rural development of the European Commission, while on a visit to Brussels. Vladimir Voronin asked the European Commission to reduce the customs duties for exportation of Moldovan wines to the E.U. Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel revealed that the E.U. could raise the problem of lower duties for Moldovan wines if the General Assembly of the World Trade Organisation examines this issue in particular at a September-scheduled meeting.

Republic of Moldova — Romania

Statements of President Traian Basescu

President Traian Basescu answered some questions on relations with Moldova while attending on June 23 a conference themed European Romania, Euro-Atlantic Romania, Romania in the Field of International Relations, organised by George C. Marshall Romania Association. Basescu said that the relations between the two countries are a priority for the Romanian foreign policy.

According to the stance of Romania that the Bucharest authorities promote in relations with European institutions and NATO, Moldova “must be taken to the group of Western Balkan countries from point of view of integration in the E.U. and it must not be quitted until Ukraine will be ready to join the E.U.” The Romanian effort in this regard will be consolidated when Romania will join the E.U. The Romanian president noted that analysing the number of residents of the Western Balkans and Moldova, it should not be a big problem from perspective of absorption of the E.U., but the “cultural variety” and “elements of consistent nationalism” raise certain problems. Bucharest promotes its policy under following auspices — the Romanian nation may reunify, at least at present, inside the E.U., the Romanian president added.

As regards the Transnistrian problem, Basescu stated that it remains difficult: “Unfortunately, neither Ukraine, nor the Russian Federation and Moldova wanted Romania to participate in negotiations. Of course, this fact may be correlated with the change of the name of the Romanian-French lycee into Moldovan-French, of the Romanian-English lycee into Moldovan-English. But what I impose myself to do is not to freeze the relations like it happened in 2000 due to the same issues.” The Romanian president outlined that Moldova is an independent and sovereign state, with decisions that the Moldovan Parliament and Government make: “Starting from this premise, I am trying not to find motives of reaction capable to freeze the Romanian-Moldovan relations again,” Basescu underlined.

As regards the legislation on diaspora, Basescu stressed that Romania has used too little its relationship with Romanians from everywhere and a much wider vision is needed. He stressed that despite the legislation on support of cultural activities of the Romanian community, a draft law on consolidation of relationship with diaspora does not exist, but such a law will exist until expiration of his mandate, if the Parliament and the executive support it.

Speaking about the border treaty between Moldova and Romania, Mr. Basescu said that the final version of this document drafted with the support of the E.U. will allow “a much relaxed situation.”

Preparations for visit of Traian Basescu to Chisinau

Minister Mihai Razvan Ungureanu has said that Romanian President Traian Basescu intends to visit Moldova next autumn, an occasion to address the Moldovan Parliament for the first time. Details of the visit will be coordinated at the level of executive soon.

Economic cooperation

Bucharest and Chisinau hosted two exhibitions in June at which Moldova and Romania presented their economies. Moldovan firms have signed 380 contracts with partners from Romania and other states at the Bucharest exhibition. All 16 Moldovan wineries participating in the exhibition have signed business contracts with new partners. Food enterprises have signed contracts of intention and cooperation. The Chisinau exhibition has hosted more than 50 Romanian economic agents that presented industrial products and high technologies, food industry, cosmetics, footwear, ready0made clothes, textiles, equipment, etc.

Republic of Moldova — Russian Federation

Deputy Premier Andrei Stratan has told a news conference that if a state like the Russian Federation is willing to join the World Trade Organisation, it should meet the international trade rules and raise its objections beforehand. Stratan noted that Russia’s embargo on some Moldovan products is a subject of political relations, caused by Chisinau’s stance on Transnistrian problem, which troubles those supporting the separatist regime. He underlined that the Chisinau authorities are waiting for an official notification regarding the cause of the embargo, in compliance with international agreements signed between the two states.

According to a survey conducted by a Russian foundation for public opinion (formerly affiliated to ВЦИОМ), 45 percent of Russian citizens warm the prohibition of Moldovan and Georgian wines on Russian market. Many respondents admitted, however, that the interdiction has a political nature and aims to exert some political or economic pressures on states disobeying Moscow.

According to a communication of the Moldovan Reintegration Ministry, the policemen held by Tiraspol authorities have been released including with the participation of the Russian Federation.

Moldova in the world

The Moldovan enterprise Ascom attends an international food exhibition in Shanghai, China. Moldovan producers will exhibit 80,000 bottles of wines within six months Visitors to the exhibition will be able to purchase drinks in wholesales and retail sales. The Agri-Industrial Agency Moldova-Vin intends to open a permanent representation in the Chinese province of Yannan as part of a programme on promotion of Moldovan wines abroad.

More than 10 countries, including Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Germany, Belarus, and others have hosted tasting exhibitions and fairs of Moldovan wines.

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