Foreign Affairs on February 2–14, 2009

European Integration

EU releases new technical assistance project for Moldova

On February 2, 2009, the European Commission launched a new technical assistance project for Moldova funded by the European Union — “Support to export promotion and investment attraction in the Republic of Moldova”RO. Beneficiaries of the project will be the Ministry of Economy and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry of Moldova. The project aims to encourage domestic companies to export to foreign markets, inclusively by consolidating support agencies such as the Moldovan Investment and Export Promotion Organisation (MIEPO); training personnel of testing laboratories to introduce recognised quality standards; establishing partnerships; attracting foreign investments in Moldova. The 1.6-million-Euro project has a 2-year term and will be implemented by GFA Consulting Group (Germany) in consortium with IDI company (Ireland).

Bilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Hungary

On February 11, 2009, Valeriu Ostalep, deputy minister of foreign affairs and European integration, was on a working visit to Budapest and met there Matyas Eorsi, chairman of the Commission for European Affairs of the Hungarian Parliament, and officials of the Hungarian Foreign Ministry, in particular, Gabor Szentivany, state secretary and political director, and Mihaly Bayer, ambassador with special missions of the Hungarian Foreign Ministry.

Bilateral talks focussed on the following issues: Moldova’s priorities for negotiating the new agreement with the EU and Hungary’s readiness to provide the necessary assistance to Moldova in the process of preparation for negotiations; energy security in the region and development of energy projects, including NABUCCO; bilateral economic cooperation and development of partnerships within EU programmes. (according to MFAEI)

Multilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Council of Europe

ECHR decisions

On February 10, 2009, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) pronounced a decision on Iordachi and others vs. Moldova. The Court decided that the Moldovan legislation does not ensure an adequate protection against abuses by state authorities in terms of interception of telephone conversations, and sentenced Moldova for violation of right to private life and family (Article 8 ECHR). The Court granted 3,500 Euros in costs and expenses. (Source: www.lhr.md)

Republic of Moldova — OSCE

During February 10–12, Moldova was visited by a delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE/PA) led by PA President Joao Soares. During the visit, the delegation has met high-ranking officials of Moldovan Government and Parliament, Tiraspol officials, CEC chairman Eugeniu Stirbu and representatives of political parties and civil society. The visit agenda of the OSCE/PA delegation focussed on two topics: the preparation and conduct of the April 5, 2009 elections and the Transnistrian settlement process.

Joao Soares stressed the importance of a transparent, free and fair electoral process in conditions of a fair access to the media, equal possibilities to make electoral propaganda and fair proceedings for all electoral contestants. In particular, the OSCE/PA president raised concern with intimidation of opposition parties by law enforcement bodies in the electoral period, cases he has learned about during his visit. Mr. Soares assured that the OSCE will investigate all these cases and the April 5 elections will be seriously discredited, should these cases be confirmed.

Republic of Moldova — Central European Initiative (CEI)

During February 9–10, 2009, CEI Secretary-General Pierro Ercole Ago was on a working visit to Moldova, as the Moldovan CEI Chairmanship is over. The visit aimed at discussing accomplishments by the Moldovan Chairmanship and Moldova’s further plans within CEI.

During the visit, Mr. Pieero Ercole Ago has attended a meeting of National Focal Points (representatives of state institutions) which were in charge with working out projects in diverse sectoral areas in 2008. Participants discussed mechanisms of cooperation with CEI and funding priorities of CEI for 2009, with the CEI secretary-general calling for a more active participation of the Network of CEI Focal Points in CEI-held sectoral activities. (according to MAEIE)

Republic of Moldova — CIS

Shortly after programme of the Moldova’s Presidency in the CIS was launched in Minsk (30 January 2009), the executive secretary and chairman of the CIS Executive Committee, Sergey Lebedev, paid an working visit to Chisinau on February 9–10. During the visit, Mr. Lebedev was received by President Vladimir Voronin and met Premier Zinaida Greceanii, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Andrei Stratan and the chairman of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Gheorghe Duca, all members to the national commission for ensuring the Moldovan Chairmanship in CIS. The sides thoroughly discussed the programme of the Moldovan CIS Presidency and the agenda of meetings of CIS structures. Lebedev indicated the necessity to meet the decision by the Council of CIS Heads of State on institution of National Coordinators^[1]. In his turn, Vladimir Voronin invited CIS observers to monitor the parliamentary elections on April 5, 2009.

↑ They will coordinate the activity of local governmental bodies in charge with implementation of CIS decisions.

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