Foreign Affairs on June 1–15, 2008

European Integration

Launching of Mobility Partnership between Republic of Moldova and European Union

Moldovan Interior Minister Valentin Mejinschi, European Commission Vice-President Jacques Barrot, commissioner for justice and home affairs, Mrs. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Slovenian Interior Minister Dragutin Mate, Chairman-in-office of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council, along with representatives of 14 EU member states signed the Moldova-EU Joint Declaration on the Mobility Partnership, at the meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg on June 5, 2008.

Although it is a pilot project for the time being, the mobility partnership aims to consolidate the EU-Moldova cooperation on management of illegal migration, combat and prevention of illegal migration and trafficking in human beings. Several initiatives will be implemented in this respect to consolidate Moldova’s institutional capacities in managing the labour market and migration, implementing migration policies more efficiently; facilitating the “circular migration”^[1]; intensifying bilateral cooperation on social protection and reintegration of illegal migrants; encouraging the participation of diaspora in developing Moldova by using their remittances, etc.

Mrs. Benita Ferrero-Waldner has assured the Moldovan delegation that the European Commission will provide full support to this partnership, including financial assistance.

The EU has launched mobility partnerships with two states until now — the Republic of Moldova and Cape Verde.

Bilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Romania

Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Stratan, minister of foreign affairs and European integration, had a telephone conversation with Romanian Foreign Minister Lazar Comanescu on June 10, 2008. According to a press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, the ministers have tackled “issues of principle” linked to relations between the two countries. The conversation ended with an invitation by Moldovan foreign minister to his Romanian counterpart to pay an official visit to the Republic of Moldova on July 7, 2008.

Note by ADEPT: Although the brief and dry press release did not reveal key topics discussed by the foreign ministers, one may suppose that they included the much disputed draft small border traffic convention between Moldova and Romania and the state border treaty between Moldova and Romania.

Republic of Moldova — Turkey

Moldova-Turkey relations have intensified in the period concerned, as Chisinau hosted on June 12–13, 2008 the 5^th sitting of the Moldovan-Turkish intergovernmental commission for commercial-economic cooperation and a Moldovan-Turkish business forum, as well as bilateral meetings between officials of the two countries.

The intergovernmental commission was chaired by Moldovan First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Dodon, Minister of Economy and Trade, and Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen. The Commission discussed issues related to attraction of Turkish investments in Moldova and development of bilateral cooperation in the area of industry and energy, food industry, transportation, information development, culture and tourism.

While on his visit to Moldova, Mr. Tuzmen has met Moldovan president, prime minister, minister of Foreign Affairs and European integration and Gagauz governor. The talks preceded a meeting between Moldovan Speaker Marian Lupu and his Turkish counterpart Koksal Toptan, Head of the Great National Assembly of Turkey, which took place in Athens during the summit of speakers from member states of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organisation Parliamentary Assembly (BSEC/PA).

Republic of Moldova — Switzerland

Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Stratan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European integration, was on an official visit to Switzerland on June 5–6, 2008. During his visit Mr. Stratan has met Swiss officials, in particular, Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy Rey, Andre Bugnon, Head of the National Council, Laurent Moutinot, Head of the Canton of Geneva, etc., as well as Sergei Ordzhonikidze, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva.

The talks focussed on the current stage and prospects of political and economic cooperation between Moldova and Switzerland and cooperation within international organisations (UN, OSCE and CoE).

Multilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — BSEC/PA

Athens hosted the summit of speakers from member states of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organisation Parliamentary Assembly (BSEC/PA) on June 9, 2008. Taking part in the summit was also Moldovan Speaker Marian Lupu who addressed participants and appreciated BSEC efforts to intensify bilateral and regional cooperation, and noted the insufficiently explored potential of the organisation in tackling transnational matters such as fighting against terrorism and organised crime.

According to a press release by Moldovan Parliament, participants in BSEC/PA works have called for intensified relations between BSEC/PA and EU and consideration of the opportunity to build a Parliamentary Assembly made of BSEC and EU member states. The summit adopted a declaration on the 15^th anniversary of the BSEC/PA.

Moldova took over the BSEC/PA Chairmanship for a six-month term, at the 31^st BSEC/PA meeting in Athens on June 11, 2008.

↑ The circular migration concept allows nationals of a third country to temporarily migrate to the EU for labour, education or professional formation purpose or for altogether, with the condition to return to their origin country when the stay period is over and go back to the EU after 2–3 years on basis of a simplified admission/comeback procedure. According to the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on circular migration and mobility partnerships between the European Union and third countries/ COM(2007) 248 final of16.05.2007.

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