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Foreign Affairs on October 1–31, 2008

European Integration

The Ninth Meeting of the EU-Moldova Cooperation Committee

The 9th Meeting of the EU-Moldova Cooperation Committee took place in Brussels on October 3, 2008 and aimed to assess progresses made by the Republic of Moldova in the last round of implementation of the EU-Moldova Action Plan. In particular, the meeting discussed Moldova’s progresses in the following areas: political dialogue and reforms, justice and interior affairs, political cooperation with EU, customs cooperation, trade, market and regulatory reform, etc. Representatives of the European Commission welcomed progresses made by Moldova in implementing European standards in some fields and made some recommendations:

At the same time, the European side expressed its concerns over implementation of some commitments assumed by Moldova, especially:

The meeting of the Cooperation Committee was followed by the second round of EU-Moldova informal consultations on the future Legal Agreement. Within the discussions the sides exchanged opinions regarding basic elements which the European Commission will take into consideration in the process of finalisation of the draft mandate of negotiations.

The EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) Conclusions on the Republic of Moldova

On October 13, the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) adopted the following Conclusions on the Republic of Moldova:

Note by ADEPT. Although many officials have introduced these conclusions as a great success of Moldova on the European integration way, the conclusions did not offer anything special to Moldova which would be different from what the EU will offer to Ukraine, with the key objective of Moldova — “the accession perspective” — being absent in the document. At the same time, the conclusions do not provide a clear term for the abrogation of the visa regime.

The 11th Meeting of the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Cooperation Committee

During October 22–23, 2008, Strasbourg hosted the 11th Meeting of the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Cooperation Committee chaired by Mrs. Marianne Mikko and Mr. Grigore Petrenco, co-chairpersons of the Moldova-EU Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. The meeting focussed on recent social-economic developments, preparations for the 2009 parliamentary elections. European officials reconfirmed their commitment to support Moldova in the European accession process, outlining the need of intensifying internal efforts in order to efficiently implement the ongoing reforms in the field of the rule of law, human rights, media freedom. (according to press releases by MFAEI)

Bilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Romania

After a period of apathy, the Moldova-Romania relations have been activated following a visit by Premier Zinaida Greceanii to Romania and works of the Moldovan-Romanian commission for economic cooperation and European integration in Bucharest. In Bucharest, Mrs. Greceanii has had bilateral meetings with Romania’s President Traian Basescu, Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu and attended the ceremony of Montenegro’s accession to the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), an organisation presently chaired by Moldova. During bilateral meetings the sides have discussed issues relating to bilateral and regional economic cooperation in the light of the European integration of Moldova. Romanian officials reaffirmed the support for the European integration of Moldova and called for approaching Moldova in the European accession process distinctly from Ukraine, by including it into the Western Balkans package. Otherwise, “Moldova’s perspective to join the EU is far.”[1] The Moldovan prime minister gratified Romanian dignitaries for Romania’s support to Moldova within the last European Council and expressed optimism that Romania will keep supporting Moldova during negotiations on a new legal agreement with the EU. The weaknesses of the Moldova-Romania relations such as the signing of the basic and border treaties have not been touched, at least in public statements. The working agenda of the Moldovan-Romanian commission for economic cooperation and European integration included issues related to bilateral economic and commercial relations, in particular, the implementation of common infrastructure projects especially on building a 400-kW interconnection power line on the Balti-Suceava route and a 400-kW interconnection power line on the Ungheni-Iasi route, opening of the border crossing point Lipcani — Radauti to facilitate the development of bilateral trade[2]. The sides signed a bilateral cooperation programme in the area of science, technological development and innovation between the National Scientific Research Authority of Romania and the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, and a protocol of the session which stipulates bilateral actions in the field of trade, small and medium business, agriculture, sanitary-veterinary sector, food security, scientific research.

Republic of Moldova — Russian Federation

During October 27–28, 2008, the Chairman of the Russian State Duma, Mr. Boris Grizlov, was on a formal visit to Moldova and had bilateral meetings with Moldova’s President Vladimir Voronin, Speaker Marian Lupu and Prime Minister Zinaida Greceanii. According to press releases, the visit had a common purpose — to exchange information about social-political developments in Moldova and Russian Federation and to discuss the perspectives on implementing cooperation projects of reciprocal interest. Mr. Grizlov has reassured that Russia supports the territorial integrity of Moldova and it is ready, as mediator of the negotiation process, to make the necessary conditions in order to assist the parties to work out an acceptable decision for Chisinau and Tiraspol. According to Grizlov, Chisinau and Tiraspol should give up extreme positions and negotiate regardless of the format of talks (see the chapter TRANSNISTRIA). During bilateral meetings, the sides noted the ascending relations between Moldova and Russia, outlining the need of a continuous activation of bilateral relations in the commercial, economic, social-cultural and political fields. In the context, Mr. Grizlov stated that the Russian Federation will open a commercial representation in Chisinau in December 2008, while Chisinau authorities said that the Moldovan-Russian economic development programme is being finalised and it will enter into force in 2009.

Note by ADEPT. According to informal sources, the visit aimed to evaluate dispositions and expectations of Moldovan authorities in the Transnistrian settlement process, so that Russia to further establish conciliation measures capable to attenuate its image of aggressor and become an effective mediator. Russia has already done a first step forward changing its image by organising a tripartite summit between Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, with the presidents of the three countries signing a declaration on peaceful settlement of the conflict Nagorno-Karabakh.

Republic of Moldova — Montenegro

During October 27–28, 2008, President of Montenegro Filip Vujanovic paid an official visit to Chisinau and met his Moldovan counterpart Vladimir Voronin and Speaker Marian Lupu. The visit came to encourage relations between Moldova and Montenegro, which are growing up and consolidating. During discussions with Moldovan officials the Montenegrin president stressed the common European accession objective of the two countries, outlining the importance of joining efforts in order to advance towards the EU. For this purpose, Mr. Vujanovic proposed the formation of an interparliamentary friendship group through which the parliaments of the two countries would share experience in implementing the European legislation. The sides expressed a reciprocal interest to develop bilateral cooperation in all areas, with the Montenegrin president indicating a great potential of bilateral cooperation in the area of tourism and agriculture. Also, they focussed on developing commercial-economic relations by organising forums of businessmen from Montenegro and Moldova and intensifying cooperation between Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the two countries. During the visit, the Montenegrin president has signed the mutual customs assistance agreement between Governments of Moldova and Montenegro (according to Moldpres).

Multilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Council of Europe
ECHR decisions

The European Court of Human Rights has passed a decision on the case Mancevschi vs. Moldova in the period concerned. It unanimously observed the violation of Article 8 of ECHR (right to private and family life) after a groundless searching at the office and home of the applicant. The Court decided 2,500 Euros in non-pecuniary damages and 1,535 Euros in costs and expenses.

Venice Commission (the Commission for Democracy through Law of the Council of Europe)

On October 23, 2008, the Venice Commission released a report revealing its position on the Electoral Code of Moldova adopted on April 10, 2008. According to the report, by adopting modifications to the Electoral Code, the Government did not meet previous recommendations by the Commission, inclusively those not to raise the electoral threshold, to annul the possibility of recalling CEC members and the electoral turnout, to clarify the decision-making power of CEC etc. However, bitter criticism envisaged the amendments to the Electoral Code which raise the electoral threshold from 4 up to 6 percent, ban the electoral blocs, and prohibit nationals holding dual citizenship to participate in elections and run public offices, limit the right of inmates to cast their ballots. The Commission fears that these regulations breach the Constitution of Moldova, the Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters of the European Commission, other European conventions joined by Moldova.

Republic of Moldova — CIS

On October 10, Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin attended the works of the Council of Heads of State from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), at which several documents were signed. The Moldovan side has signed with certain reserves the Economic Development Strategy of CIS until 2020; the agreement on cooperation prospects in the energy sector for 2009; the regulations on running the CIS Chairmanship. The Moldovan delegation signed without reserves the Agreement on Declaration of 2009 as the Year of the Youth in CIS and the Agreement on Declaration of 2010 as the Year of the Science and Innovation. It backed an initiative by the Kyrgyz delegation to include into the agenda of the summit and sign an agreement on priority directions of cooperation in the area of transportation until 2020, as well as the proposal to create a working group at the level of ministers of finance to consider the situation in connection with the global financial crisis with the purpose to reduce its impact on CIS member states[3]. The meeting in Bishkek decided that on January 1, 2009 Moldova will run all CIS structures: the Council of Heads of State, the Council of Premiers, the Council of Foreign Ministers and the Economic Council of CIS. As well, Chisinau was appointed to host the ordinary CIS Summit on October 9, 2009 (according to a press release by Moldovan Presidency).

Republic of Moldova — CEFTA

On October 8, 2008, Chisinau hosted for the first time a meeting of the joint committee of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), which brought together ministers of economy from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Moldova and Serbia. The programme of the meeting included the examination and adoption of decisions on issues relating to the general growth trade of commerce after the enforcement of CEFTA and bilateral trade agreements; exchange of information between CEFTA representatives concerning agricultural and trade policies and their impact on food trade, cooperation between customs authorities in the area of origin of commodities, etc. Although the share of Moldova’s trade with CEFTA member states is low so far, “the CEFTA plays a very important role in supporting efforts aimed to concretise the European perspective of Western Balkans, including Moldova,” Minister of Economy and Commerce Igor Dodon has stated.

Republic of Moldova — CEI

During October 8–9, 2008, Chisinau hosted the Economic Forum of the Central European Initiative (CEI), which brought together 869 delegates from 45 countries. The forum was organised under the shape of specialised sessions focussed on reforms and investments needed to encourage the private entrepreneurship, innovation and competitiveness aimed at developing regional cooperation, infrastructure, small and media business, information and communication technologies, regional integration and trade promotion, risks and modern economic challenges.

Republic of Moldova — NATO

NATO Secretary-General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer was on a working visit to Chisinau on October 30, 2008 and met President Vladimir Voronin, the deputy prime minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Andrei Stratan, Defence Minister Vitalie Vrabie, representatives of civil society and academia. According to a press release by MFAEI, the sides “considered aspects of cooperation between our country and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on the basis of the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP).”[4] The NATO secretary-general appreciated the NATO-Moldova cooperation, emphasising respect for the constitutional neutrality of Moldova. In his turn, the Moldovan president outlined the necessity of continuing cooperation between Moldova and NATO, and a new Individual Partnership Action Plan, IPAP 2, will be signed between the two parties. With regard to the Transnistrian conflict, the NATO official noted that the conflict would be settled should the Russian Federation respect its 1999 Istanbul commitments to withdraw its troops from Moldova.

  1. ↑ www.ziua.ro, 23.10.2008
  2. ↑ At present, Romania is the No. 1 trade partner of Moldova in terms of exports.
  3. ↑ The first meeting of CIS ministers of finance took place in Moscow on October 21.
  4. ↑ www.mfa.md, 30.10.2008
September 16–30, 2008 November 1–15, 2008