Foreign Affairs on July 16–31, 2009

The foreign relations in the second half of July have been influenced by the election campaign for the early parliamentary elections.

European Integration

European Union calls on the Moldova’s authorities in the eve of the July 29 elections

In the period that preceded the early parliamentary elections of July 29, the European Union addressed to authorities and political parties from Republic of Moldova to ensure free and fair elections, freedom of expression and mass-media freedom, to create equal conditions for all election contestants, to not allow intimidations towards mass-media, NGOs and political parties, and to respect the right of assembly etc. The calls have been addressed through the EU Special Representative in Moldova, Kalman Miszei, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Sweden in Moldova, Matz Aberg, and the Polish minister of foreign affairs, Radoslaw Sikorski, during their meetings with Moldovan authorities.

Even more, during a work visit in Chisinau on July 24, Radoslaw Sikorski demanded the authorities, the representatives of the opposition parties and civil society to cooperate on the basis of a large social consensus, to continue the democratic reforms in the country, to investigate the April 7 events, to prove openness for cooperating with EU and its’ close members [Romania], ensuring an equal treatment for all EU citizens. At the same time, Radoslaw Sikorski related the strengthening of EU — Moldova dialogue to free and fair elections on July 29. The Polish minister of foreign affairs confirmed that, if a positive international evaluation of the elections will be registered, Poland will offer its support: for promoting Moldova at European level, particularly to negotiations of the new EU-Moldova agreement; for including Moldova in the European financing mechanisms and the Eastern Partnership projects; to negotiations of Moldova with international financial institutions (IMF, WB, BERD etc.); for the launch of a comprehensive package for democracy support in Moldova.

EUBAM’s mandate was prolonged until 2011

The European Commission decided to extend the mandate of the European Union Border Assistance Mission in Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) for two years more, starting with December 1, 2009. The prolongation of the EUBAM mandate happened due to requests from Moldovan and Ukrainian authorities.

European Union will allocate 70 millions Euro for investment projects within PEV

The European Commission announced the allocation of 70 millions Euro to the Neighbourhood Investment Facility within the Neighborhood European Policy (ENP). These funds are intended for developing investment projects in the energy, transport and ecology sectors, as well as the development of small and middle enterprise sector and the social sector.

Bilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Romania

The freeze in Moldovan — Romanian relations persists. The Moldovan authorities continue to accuse Romania of interfering in the internal affairs of Moldova. The last statement of the Moldovan GovernmentRO released on July 16 blames Romania’s government for openly supporting certain Moldovan political forces and for openly expressing its’ preferences for the victory of these forces in the July 29elections give an appreciation on the statements. At the same time, the Government of RM demands EU to assess Romania’s statements and actions and to mediate the Moldovan-Romanian issues. According to the statement, Republic of Moldova is willing to sign a border and basic Moldovan-Romanian treaties, but Romania is the one who delays it.

Besides, the Romanian president, Traian Basescu stated in an interview with Radio Free Europe that Romania will not stop to repel the accusations of interference in Moldova’s internal affairs.

Note by ADEPT: It should be pointed out that Traian Basescu’s support for the election of Vladimir Voronin as president of RM in the 2005 elections was not considered at that time as interference in Moldova’s internal affairs.

Republic of Moldova — Russia

Negotiations over the Loan Agreement between the Governments of R. Moldova and Russian Federation concerning a 150 million US dollars state credit provided to the Republic of Moldova have been initiated. The funds are to be used for financing investment projects for the road infrastructure and the rehabilitation of water supply systems. The credit is supposed to be repaid within 15 years.

Republic of Moldova — China

On July 23, Republic of Moldova signed an intention Memorandum on lending 1 billion US dollars credit from the state China National Overseas Engineering Corporation (COVEC). After signing the Memorandum, an agreement between the Governments of China and of R. Moldova must be signed, with an furhter Parliament ratification. The credit will be offered for a 15 years term, with a grace period of 3 years. The interest rate on credit has not yet been established. According to the minister of construction and territory development, Vladimir Baldovici, the credit will be used for financing roads, energy, water supply and sewerage infrastructure projects, but also for creating advanced production systems.

Multilateral cooperation

Republic Moldova — Council of Europe

ECHR decisions

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has passed decisions on the cases Baroul Partner A. vs. Moldova (the case of Soroca Gravel and Granite Quarry) and Olaru and others vs. Moldova. In both causes, the Court established the violation of the right to a fair trial and to property. The Court did not propone on the just satisfaction, reserving a separate decision on this matter. The Government of Moldova and the claimants have been called to present written observations on just satisfaction to the Court within three months or to eventually come to an amiable agreement. (Source: www.echr.coe.int, www.lhr.md).

Report of the EC Commissioner for Human Rights on his visit in Chisinau during April 25 — 28, 2009

On July 17 2009, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammaberg, publicly presented a report concerning his visit to Moldova at the end of April. According to the report, “the violations of the prohibition against ill-treatment, which surfaced so acutely in April 2009, must be tackled head-on in order to restore the climate of confidence which is essential to a solid civil society”. In his report, the commissioner states that decisive actions are needed in order to enforce a firm attitude of “zero tolerance” of ill-treatment throughout the criminal justice system, inclusively by reviewing the behavior of guilty policemen and their superiors. Besides, Thomas Hammaberg underlined that free expression and the access to information must be also protected in crisis times.

Republic of Moldova — OSCE

OSCE/BIDDO Mission for monitoring the July 29 early parliamentary elections published a report with preliminary findings and conclusions concerning the election process. According to Election Observation Mission (EOM), “the July 29 early parliamentary elections in Moldova overall were well administered, allowing for competition of political parties representing a plurality of views”. Many of the OSCE and Council of Europe standards were met. Still, according to EOM, the election campaign was negatively influenced by subtle intimidations and bias in media coverage in favor of certain political forces. Other shortcomings noted were related to the accuracy of voter rolls and use of administrative resources. According to OSCE observers, these shortcomings must be remedied in the future (ex. the establishment of a centralized electronic voter register), inclusively by continuing democratic reforms.

e-democracy.md