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Foreign Affairs on January 19 – February 1, 2009

European Integration

Meeting of the National Commission for European Integration

The National Commission for European Integration convened in a meeting on January 27, 2009 and discussed results of the January 14, 2009 meeting of the EU-Moldova Troika of Political and Security Committee and approved two reference documents for the European integration of Moldova in 2009: the European Integration Agenda for 2009RO and Priorities of EU-Moldova Relations during the Czech EU PresidencyRO.

The agenda establishes internal actions to be taken by Moldovan authorities in 2009 with the view to implement reform objectives in accordance with the EU-Moldova Action Plan in areas described by the European Commission as problematic for Moldova: respect for human rights and freedom of the media, independence of justice, anti-corruption fight, migration and border management, improvement of investment climate, optimisation of social policies. According to the second document, Moldova will advance at external level in developing the political dialogue with EU, in order to negotiate an Association Agreement, a deep Free Trade Agreement and simplify visa issuance procedures for Moldovan citizens, as well as to develop cooperation in the area of security, justice and interior affairs.

Speaking about the beginning of the electoral campaign, commission chairman Vladimir Voronin urged commission members to regularly inform the European officials during the electoral campaign about Moldova’s developments on the European integration dimension, inclusively by meeting ambassadors from European countries and promptly react to problems signalled by European officials by releasing argumentative notes.

Note by ADEPT: The beginning of the electoral campaign will “freeze” the development of internal reforms for approximately half a year and this fact is also confirmed by the European Integration Agenda for 2009, which schedules majority of actions for the second half of 2009. In this electoral period, the European officials will keep eyes on how the 2009 parliamentary elections will be hold, the internal reforms moved to second place. That’s why the governance seeks a “rigurous” communication with European officials.

Bilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Romania

In the second half of January Romania made an effort to normalise the diplomatic relations, as the newly-elected foreign minister of Romania, Mr. Cristian Diaconescu, visited Chisinau on January 22, 2009. By paying the first visit to a country as foreign minister, Mr. Diaconescu wanted to prove the importance to Romania of good relations with Moldova.

During the visit, Mr. Diaconescu has discussed with Moldovan Foreign Minister Andrei Stratan and was received by chief of state Vladimir Voronin. The meeting between the two foreign ministers focussed on results of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, stressing progresses in commercial-economic cooperation; Moldova’s aspirations to join the EU and Transnistrian conflict.

As well, the parties called for the finalisation of certain cross-border cooperation projects (opening of the border-crossing station Lipcani-Radauti), launching of projects on energy security, protection of environment, fortification of the Prut river banks, as well as for settling sensible issues relating to the signing of the basic and border agreements, small border traffic convention, opening of Romanian consulates in Balti and Cahul. Both ministers assured at the end of the meeting that Moldovan-Romanian relations will start to be coordinated by an European pragmatism and the sides are very close to settle sensitive issues relating to the signing of the two treaties. At the same time, Mr. Diaconescu promised that Romania will call upon Brussels, so that the EU to encourage Moldova on European integration way and grant a special status to relations with Moldova. His Moldovan fellow replied that Moldova does not need an attorney in relationship with Brussels authorities because it did not commit any violation in the latest period.

The reaction of the Moldovan foreign minister was supported by President Vladimir Voronin, who stated to Russian journalists a couple of days after the visit of the Romanian foreign minister that Moldova does not need Romania’s support to join the European Union and accused Romania of slowing down the signing of bilateral treaties.

Republic of Moldova — Italy

The Consular Service of the Italian Embassy in Chisinau opened on January 28, 2009. It is located in the 63 Vlaicu Parcalab Street.

Multilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Council of Europe
ECHR decisions

On January 27, 2009, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) pronounced decisions on the case Cebotari and others vs. Moldova. The Court sentenced Moldova for violation of the right to a fair trial and protection of property, as the latter did not fully execute in a reasonable term the legal decision concerned. The Court obliged Moldova to guarantee the execution of the judicial decision and pay by 2,000 Euros (10,000 Euros overall) to each applicant in non-pecuniary damages.

Republic of Moldova — SEECP

On January 30, 2009, Chisinau hosted the Informal Meeting of foreign ministers of the Southeast European Cooperation Process (SEECP), with the participation of representatives of the European Commission, acting Czech EU Presidency and future Swedish Presidency, Secretary-General of the Regional Cooperation Council.

The meeting discussed issues relating to development of cooperation in the Southeast European area in all fields of common interest: social and economic development; infrastructure; justice and interior affairs; cooperation in security area; consolidation of human capital, joint efforts against financial and energy crises and ways to redress their effects.

Preliminary results of the Moldovan SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office for 2008 were presented at the end of the meeting. Hido Biscevic, secretary-general of the Regional Cooperation Council, said that the Moldovan SEECP Chairmanship is a success and was sure that Moldova will successfully achieve this mandate. (According to press releases by MFAEI)

Republic of Moldova — Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

On January 30, 2009, Efim Chilari, head of the Group on coordinating the activity of presidency of the Republic of Moldova in CIS in 2009, presented in Minsk the program of Moldova’s Presidency in all CIS structures (CIS Head of Government Council, CIS Council of Heads of State, CIS Council of Foreign Ministers etc.)[1] Before presenting the program, Efim Chilari has mentioned (citing the President Vladimir Voronin) that although Moldova does not have capacity for geopolitical influence, it could benefit from its geographical position of a bridge between the European Union and CIS.

According to its programme, Moldova plans to realize in 2009 the following priorities:

Efim Chilari noted that these priorities, and especially the economic ones, will be realized under guidance of the Strategy for Economic Development of CIS till 2020 (not available to the public yet).

Note by ADEPT: The priorities of Moldova’s Presidency in CSI are very ambitious, if to take into consideration the following factors difficult to ignore: electoral period that will draw the Government off for a half a year; lack of adequate financial means, as the existing means will be “thrown” into the electoral battle; lack of capacity and levers to influence policy on the CIS level, a fact recognized by the Moldovan officials themselves.

  1. ↑ On December 3, 2008, by a presidential order was created the National Commission on ensuring the Moldova’s presidency in CIS structures.
January 1–18, 2009 February 2–14, 2009