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Foreign Affairs on March 16–31, 2008

European Integration

COEST EU-Moldova Troika Meeting

On March 18, the COEST EU-Moldova Troika Meeting, with participation of the representatives of the European Commission, the Slovenian EU Council Presidency, the secretariat of the Council of the EU, future France Presidency of the Council of the EU and the Special Representative of the EU to Moldova, was held in Brussels. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Valeriu Ostalep headed the Moldovan delegation. During the meeting, a set of subjects were discussed: latest evolutions of the Transnistrian problem, the activity of the EU Border Assistance Mission at the Moldo-Ukrainian border and the EU-Moldova relations. In particular, the Moldovan official reassured the commitment of the Moldovan authorities to apply the European standards and to develop the new dimensions for cooperation with the EU. In addition, Valeriu Ostalep appreciated the recent Council conclusions on relations with Moldova that open new perspectives to develop and adopt a new legal framework Moldova-EU, based on the results of the Progress Report (made public on April 3). At the same time, the participants of the meeting stressed the importance of continuing the process of internal reforms in compliance with the Standards of the Council of EU and OSCE and in line with the results scored by Moldova in the implementation of the EU-Moldova Action Plan.

International Conference

On March 26–27, the international conference “Achieving a Transnistrian settlement in the context of Moldova’s Europeanization” was held in Chisinau. In the conference participated some European officials, among them — Cesare De Montis, Head of Delegation of the European Commission, Marianne Mikko, the Estonian Member of the European Parliament, Zygimantas Pavilionis, Undersecretary of Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs etc. In one of his interventions, Cesare de Montis highlighted that the European Commission has already the mandate to start the negotiations on developing a new legal framework for Moldova. However, the content of the new agreement will depend on many factors, among them:

Bilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Romania

Romania negotiates with Moldova an agreement for re-launching the small trans-border traffic. According to a press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania, Romania sent Republic of Moldova the draft Convention on the small cross-border traffic between Romania and Moldova on March 26[1]. The Convention will allow the citizens of both countries that live in the well-defined zone near the common border, to move within the respective zone without visa or passports, only with special certificates issued by competent authorities.

Romania proposed Moldova to establish the cross-border zone within 50 km by each side of the common border, the maximum distance allowed by the European regulations.

By entering into force, the respective convention will facilitate the movement to Romania of more Moldovan citizens.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania declared that will send Ukraine the draft agreement on the small cross-border traffic in a short time, for starting the negotiations.

Republic of Moldova — Slovenia

Andrei Stratan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration met H.E. Primoz Seligo, the Ambassador of Slovenia to Republic of Moldova with residence in Kiev. The main subjects discussed were the European integration of Moldova and the future relations with UE, as well as the Transnistrian problem. The minister highlighted the importance of a new legal framework for the EU-Moldova and asked for the Support of Slovenia that currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union, to include the issue of future EU-Moldova relations on the agenda of the next Meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council on April 28 2008.

Republic of Moldova — Italy

During the same period, Andrei Stratan met H.E. Daniele Mancini, the Ambassador of Italy to Republic of Moldova with residence in Bucharest. During the meeting, the minister asked for Italy’s support during the discussion on the future relations between Moldova and European Union, after the EU-Moldova Action Plan expired. The discussion is going to take place at the next 8.

Republic of Moldova — Israel

The Deputy Minister of the Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Valeriu Ostalep, paid a visit to Israel in the period concerned. During his visit, Valeriu Ostalep discussed with the Israeli officials a set of bilateral cooperation issues, inclusively to open a diplomatic mission of Israel in Chisinau, and signed the Program between the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the Government of the State of Israel on their cooperation in the fields of culture, education and research for 2008–2011. One of the advantages of this program is the inclusion of Moldova in the list of states that could receive from Israel graduate, post-graduate and research scholarships in local institutions.

Multilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Council of Europe
ECHR judgments

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has sentenced Moldova in another 3 cases in the period concerned: Dacia SRL vs. Moldova, Rosca, Secareanu and Others vs. Moldova, Vacarencu vs. Moldova. Moldova was sentenced to violation of the rights to a fair trial, right of ownership, freedom of assembly and association, right of the ownership protection.

In Dacia SRL vs. Moldova case, the applicant asks for a compensation of almost 2,3 million Euro. The ECHDR has not taken the final decision on the reparations amount yet and has recommended the both sides to come up with an amiable solution in the meantime. Moldova is to pay almost 16,950 Euro (approximately 274,950 MDL) to the applicants of other 2 cases.

  1. ↑ www.mae.ro, press-release of 27.03.2008 (in Romanian)
March 1–15, 2008 April 1–15, 2008