Foreign Affairs on August 1–31, 2009

European Integration

Kalman Miszei: Negotiations on new EU-Moldova agreement will begin on autumn

The Special EU Representative to Moldova, Mr. Kalman Miszei, has stated to the local mass mediaRO that negotiations between the European Union and Moldova regarding the new agreement could begin on autumn, after a new Government is formed and Moldovan-Romanian relations become normal. According to the European official, the negotiations will be complex, as the new agreement should cover important issues: free trade regime, simplified visa requirements for Moldovans, Moldova’s participation in ensuring the pan-European energy security. Mizsei stressed that EU is ready to help Moldova by strengthening relations and providing financial assistance, but it should be clear how ready Moldova is to re-establish relations with IMF, WB and European Commission after election of a new president and Government. In addition, the cancellation of visa requirements for Romanian citizens is a condition to develop the EU-Moldova dialogue.

European Commission provides 45 million Euros to reform the water providing sector in Moldova

On August 14, the Moldovan Government and European Commission signed a funding agreement concerning the assistance programme on reformation of the water providing and sewerage sector. The funding is provided within the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument. The programme has a 60-month term.

Bilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Romania

The official Moldovan-Romanian relations are on the suspense so far. The Moldovan authorities have reduced the intensity of accusing messages against Romania, being concerned with internal political developments. In their turn, the Romanian authorities said that they would like to normalise the Moldovan-Romanian relations after the election of a new Chisinau government, and clearly supported the European option of Moldova.^[1]

Republic of Moldova — Russia

On August 21, incumbent President Vladimir Voronin met Russian President Dmitri Medvedev in Sochi. According to the press releaseRU by the Russian presidential administration, the two leaders discussed “economic cooperation issues, particularly solutions to the fall of commercial-economic relations and regional problems, inclusively relating to the Transnistrian settlement.”

Note by ADEPT: According to knowledgeable sources, while on visit to Sochi, Vladimir Voronin had plans to discuss with Dmitri Medvedev the post-electoral political situation in Moldova and get Russian support in the internal political battles. In addition, the sides were expected to discuss the conditions for the release of the 500-million-dollar credit promised by the Russian authorities to Moldova.

Republic of Moldova — Ukraine

The Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration informed on August 13, 2009 that the new border crossing regime at the Moldova-Ukrainian border, adopted in accordance with Decision # 445 by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine from 06.05.2009UA, which includes Moldova into the list of countries with “migration risk”, enters into force on August 25, 2009. According to the new requirements, while crossing the Ukrainian border Moldovans must confirm that they hold 12,600 hryvnas (about 1,500 dollars) regardless of the stay term. The new regulations do not concern the Moldovan citizens who reside the areas closed to the Moldovan-Ukrainian border, children under 16 who travel with their parents, people who hold touristic vouchers and two-way tickets for a scheduled day.

Shortly after the press release, the Moldovan authorities opened a dialogue with the Ukrainian side to cancel the new border-crossing requirements. Following talks between Ukrainian Prime Minister Julia Timoshenko and incumbent Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin on this issue, Mrs. Timoshenko promised to demand the cancellation of the new border-crossing requirements for Moldovan citizens and erasing of Moldova from the list of countries with migration risk. Talks on this issue were also held between Sergei Pirozjkov, Ukrainian Ambassador in Chisinau, and Vlad Filat, PLDM leader, who delivered a request to the Ukrainian Government to seek a moratorium on the new requirements until a new Government will be formed to negotiate with the Ukrainian side.

Note by ADEPT: The decision of the Ukrainian cabinet of ministers and the late reaction of MFAEI to this decision prove the precarious Moldovan-Ukrainian relations and reveal the faulty communication at level of central public authorities of the two countries.

↑ Statements by Romanian President, Mr. Traian Basescu from 7.08.2009.

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