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Developments in Georgia and eventual consequences of the South Ossetia conflict on Moldova, particularly on the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict, marked the external relations of Moldova in August.

European Integration

As regards the European segment, Moldova backed the EU position on the military conflict in Georgia, joining the French EU Presidency Declaration released at the extraordinary meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on August 8, 2008. The position of Moldova was presented in a press releaseRO by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration on August 11, 2008, which says that “the European Union raises a serious concern with violent confrontations in South Ossetia (Georgia) and urges all parties to stop hostilities and to resume negotiations immediately, in order to allow a political resolution of the crisis by respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.”

After Russia recognised the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on August 29, 2008, the Moldovan Government has released a Declaration saying that “Moldovan authorities and the whole society have been concerned over the development of situation in South Ossetia and Abkhazia in the last weeks. Regretfully, the interethnic conflict in Georgia, which has developed for many years, was not adequately settled this time again on the basis of the international law and human values, turning into a bloodshed drama and killing people. The Moldovan Government categorically rejects any methods to settle conflicting issues by force, including those related to territorial integrity, and it fears that the international recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia will not stabilise the situation. Like the recognition of Kosovo, this step reduces the responsibility of the conflicting sides in looking for a compromise between nations, their capacity to find fair and modern solutions by respecting territorial integrity principles and protecting human rights and freedoms. At the same time, we consider that there is no connection and parallel between situation in Georgia and Transnistrian region and interpretations that these developments could affect the Transnistrian settlement process are counterproductive, as there are very favourable premises and political willingness of all participants in the resolution process to stop this conflict. The Moldovan Government will keep determining its attitude towards developments in South Ossetia and Abkhazia on the basis of the Helsinki Final Act, U.N. Statute and all principles of the effective international law exclusively.”

Bilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Romania

The working visit paid to Chisinau by Romanian President Traian Basescu on August 20, 2008, at the invitation of the Romanian leader was the key event in the Moldovan-Romanian relations in August. The Romanian president met his Moldovan counterpart and discussed the situation in Georgia and consequences of hostilities in South Ossetia on regional stability, particularly on resolution of the Transnistrian conflict, and less the sensitive matters on Moldovan-Romanian relations related to the signing of the Basic and Border Treaties between the Republic of Moldova and Romania.

Speaking about causes of developments in Georgia, both presidents agreed that they were linked to the delayed settlement of the frozen conflict in Ossetia and strengthening of the separatist regime. In this context, Traian Basescu said that existing frozen conflicts lack a correct mechanism to relieve the situation, noting that the EU participation in the Transnistrian resolution process may be essential and fundamental to settle this issue. In his turn, Vladimir Voronin reconfirmed the position of Moldovan authorities to settle the Transnistrian issue by negotiating, with respect for Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Traian Basescu assured that Romania keeps being an active supporter of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Moldova and its European aspirations.

While tackling the European integration of the Republic of Moldova, Traian Basescu stressed that Romania firmly supports the necessity to negotiate a new agreement between EU and Moldova, which should extends travel rights of Moldovan citizens inside the EU (according to Medifax, www.president.md).

Little statements by the two presidents regarding bilateral relations had rather a protocol nature.

Republic of Moldova — Russia

The Moldova-Russia relations have also oscillated around situation in the Caucasus and its consequences on the Transnistrian issue. Remarkable developments include the meeting between Presidents Vladimir Voronin and Dmitri Medvedev in Sochi (see the Transnistrian problem) and meetings between Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Stratan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, and President Voronin with Russian Ambassador to Moldova Valeri Kuzmin, who discussed hostilities in South Ossetia and perspective to develop commercial-economic relations between Moldova and Russia.

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