Foreign Affairs on July 1–15, 2009

European Integration

Sweden takes over EU Presidency

Sweden took over the European Union Presidency from the Czech Republic on July 1 for the next six months. The Swedish EU Presidency will focus on overcoming the economic crisis and combating its negative effects; redressing economy, enhancing competitiveness and employment; combating climatic changes; implementing the Stockholm Programme on rule of law and internal affairs; EU Strategy on Baltic Sea; promoting EU relations with neighbours and the world; institutionally consolidate the EU.

…and promises to keep implementing the Eastern Partnership

Explaining its policy on EU neighbours, Sweden promised to focus on developing the European Neighbourhood Policy in general and the Eastern Partnership in particular, which it initiated in 2007 along with Poland. Within the Eastern Partnership, Sweden has plans to develop multilateral cooperation of states, negotiate association and free exchange agreements and gradually facilitate the move of people.

While meeting Prime Minister Zinaida Grecianii, the Swedish ambassador in Chisinau, Mr. Mats Aberg said that the Swedish Presidency will keep improving the EU-Moldova relations, inclusively in the framework of the Eastern Partnership. In addition, Moldova will be able to enjoy EU financial assistance to strengthen democracy and human rights, as well as an additional support to overcome the financial-economic crisis and settle the Transnistrian conflict. On the other hand, the Swedish Presidency expects democratic elections in Moldova.

European Commission allocates 40 million Euros for multinational projects in Eastern Europe and South Caucasus

On July 6, the European Commission decided to allocate an assistance package worth 40 million Euros for multinational projects involving 7 neighbours at the eastern border of the European Union: Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The assistance package will fund projects involving at least two partner countries in the following areas: consolidation of cultural policies and civil society, border and migration management, sustenance of small and medium businesses, air quality management and preparation for catastrophes.

…and releases two common operational programmes — Romania — Ukraine — Moldova 2007–2013 and Black Sea Basin 2007–2013

On July 1, the Ministry of Regional Development and Housing of Romania as Common Managing Authority of the common operational programmes “Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova 2007–2013” and “Black Sea Basin 2007–2013” launched the first call of proposals. Both programmes are funded within the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument.

The Common Operational Programme “Romania — Ukraine — Republic of Moldova 2007–2013” aims to build a “bridge” between the three partner countries and support communities from border areas to find common solutions to similar development problems they face. The European Commission has plans to allocate 126.72 million Euros to this programme for 2007- 2013.

The Common Operational Programme “Black Sea Basin 2007–2013” aims at a stronger and longer economic and social development of areas in the Black Sea Basin. Ten countries are eligible to this programme: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. The European Commission’s funding to the first call of proposals is approximately 3.6 million Euros.

Address by EU Special Representative to Moldova Kalman Mizsei

The EU Special Representative to Moldova, Mr. Kalman Mizsei, addressed Moldovan politicians on July 2, inviting them to calm down “the rhetoric of the electoral campaign for the benefit of the country.” He said that “the labelling of participants in the electoral process regarding the possible adherence to various former totalitarian ideologies and practices is an extension of groundless accusations in the electoral campaign.” As well, Kalman Mizsei stressed that the preparation for the early elections is an important round for the nation, while the European Union would like “all political players to realise the meaning of this period and act appropriately.” According to Miszei, the international community is ready to support Moldova in implementing the reforms needed to guarantee respect for standards at the current elections and invites the authorities to take the necessary measures to cover the actions of all electoral contestants, while the “election coverage by the electronic media shall meet international standards.” (According to Infotag)

Bilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Romania

So far, the Republic of Moldova and Romania failed to overcome the impasse in bilateral relations. Even more, the “war” of statements goes on, dotted with a sexual scandal involving the Romanian Consulate in Chisinau.

Moldova keeps accusing Romania of meddling into its internal affairs and having plans to suppress its statehood. Thus, on June 8, Minister of Reintegration Vasilii Sova stated that Romania is involved in destabilising the situation in Moldova and accused the neighbouring country of promoting a plan on separation of Transnistria from Moldova with the view to accomplish some “political ambitions”. The accusations come after Romanian President Traian Basescu has stated that he would like the opposition to win the early parliamentary elections on July 29. In his turn, the incumbent president of Moldova, Vladimir Voronin, told a news conference on July 15 that normalising the relations with Romania is necessary but “discussing directly with the acting Bucharest authorities” who “think like in the 1930s” is impossible, and asked the European Union to mediate the conciliation. The negotiations shall end with the signing of the border treaty and basic political treaty by Moldova and Romania.

In their turn, the Romanian authorities also deplore the current bilateral relations, but they do not want to discuss with the acting government, and will hold a “dialogue with the freely elected government of the Republic of Moldova,” according to a statement by Romanian Foreign Minister Cristian Diaconescu. At the same time, Romania keeps supporting the “European project” of Moldova and the inclusion of Moldova into the “package” of the Western BalkansRO.

Republic of Moldova — Russia

The Moldova-Russia relations have a positive evolution. On July 7, the Russian State Duma approved modifications to the 2009 federal budget and gave green light to the 500-million-dollar credit for Moldova. As well, governmental commissions hold consultations on the credit providing conditions. Another positive evolution in Moldovan-Russian relations is related to the agreement between the Russian sanitary service (Rospotrebnadzor) and Moldova-Vin Agency concerning the enlargement of the number of terminals for Moldovan wine exports from one to four, as well as of the number of Moldovan enterprises eligible to export wines to the Russian Federation, including primary wine making companies, after an inspection by Rospotrebnadzor experts.

Multilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Council of Europe

Reply exchange between Public Television Moldova 1 and CoE Secretary-General Terry Davis

Replying to a news aired by Moldova 1RO, which said after citing the newspaper Moldova Suverana that officials of the Council of Europe (CoE) participated in the April 7 post-electoral protests, CoE Secretary-General Terrz Davis raised concern on July 10 in connection with the groundless assessments made without any evidence and without providing the CoE or the persons concerned with the right to tell their opinions Davis added that “the state television in Moldova has many things to learn about professional journalism.”

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