Foreign Affairs on September 19 – October 18, 2009

European integration

Statement by EU Presidency on appointment of the new Moldovan Government

On September 25, the Swedish European Union Presidency released a statementRO to welcome the appointment of the new Government of the Republic of Moldova, assuring that it supports Moldova’s efforts to resolve internal problems, inclusively those relating to the world economic and financial crisis. The EU Presidency expressed willingness to begin as soon as possible the negotiations on a new agreement with Moldova, which will replace and exceed the former Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The new agreement will strengthen the Moldovan-EU relations, inclusively within the Eastern Partnership. At the same time, the European Union invited all political players to participate in a constructive dialogue to elect a chief of state.

Moldovan prime minister on visit to Brussels

After the Moldova-EU relation has lost intensity in connection with the political instability, Moldova took first actions to develop the dialogue with EU, once it elected a new Government on September 25. Thus, during September 28–29 the newly-elected prime minister of Moldova, Vlad Filat, was on a working visit to Brussels. Being on the first visit abroad after the appointment, Filat wanted to give a sign that Moldova has serious intentions in terms of European integration process and assure of the importance that the Moldovan authorities pay to this issue.

In Brussels Vlad Filat has met Jerzy Buzek, head of the European Parliament, the commissioner for economy and finance, EU director-general for assistance of the European Commission, Claudio Bisongiero, deputy secretary-general of NATO, Herman van Rompuy, his Belgian counterpart, and foreign minister of Belgium.

During talks with officials of the European Commission the parties tackled the economic situation in Moldova and actions planned by Moldovan Government to improve the internal economic condition. Representatives of the European Commission expressed readiness of EU institutions to provide financial support to Moldova both within the Assistance Programmes for sectoral reforms and under shape of macro-financial assistance, but only after Moldova will sign the cooperation agreement with the International Monetary Fund. In addition, while approaching the Transnistrian problem Vlad Filat called for the replacement of Russian peacekeeping troops from Transnistria with an international mission under EU aegis.

Prospects to develop Moldova-EU cooperation on parliamentary dimension was one of topics discussed by Vlad Filat with European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek. As well, the sides discussed the start of negotiations on the new Association Agreement with Moldova, granting of a clearer European perspective and financial assistance to Moldova. At the end of discussions Vlad Filat made a presentation of priorities of the new Government within the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament.

Belgium and Finland join the Common Visa Application Centre

Two more countries, Belgium and Finland, joined the Common Visa Application Centre in Chisinau on October 1, 2009. Now the centre issues visas for 10 states: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Luxemburg, Slovenia, Sweden and Hungary.

Meeting of COEST Troika and Republic of Moldova

Brussels hosted on October 6 the meeting between COEST Troika and Republic of Moldova, with the latter being represented by a delegation led by Natalia Gherman, deputy minister of foreign affairs and European integration. The Moldovan delegation reported to European officials the political realities from Moldova and goals of the new governing programme, including Moldova-EU relations and settlement of the Transnistrian conflict. The Moldovan delegation called for the negotiation of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement which would include regulations on institution of a free exchange zone, visa liberalisation agreement, and resumption of the “5+2” negotiations and honouring of the Istanbul commitment concerning the withdrawal of troops and munitions from Moldova.

Visit of EU Troika to Chisinau

On October 16 the EU Troika led by Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt was on a fact-collection visit to Chisinau and met the interim president and chairman of the Parliament, Mihai Ghimpu, first Deputy Speaker Serafim Urechean, Prime Minister Vlad Filat, Foreign Minister Iurie Leanca and Vladimir Voronin, leader of the Party of Communists (PCRM).

According to the Swedish foreign minister, the visit of the EU delegation to Chisinau aimed to establish next steps for the Moldova-EU relationship. While meeting the European delegation Moldovan officials called for the soon negotiation of the new Moldova-EU agreement and free exchange zone, the inclusion of Moldova into the Balkan package, liberalisation of visa requirements for Moldovan citizens. As well, the Moldovan side sought the EU and US support to the Transnistrian settlement, as well as the EU financial assistance for Moldova to get rid of economic problems.

In its turn, the European delegation assured that EU is ready to begin negotiations for the signing of an ambitious Association Agreement. The first expert delegation is expected in Chisinau in late October. The new agreement will have three components — political, building of a free exchange zone between EU and Moldova and liberalisation of visa requirements. However, the Swedish foreign minister noted that Moldova is expected to ensure a stable political environment which would not disturb democratic reforms, while EU will provide the necessary financial support and expertise.

Note by ADEPT: The meeting between Carl Bildt and the leader of the Party of Communists, Vladimir Voronin, took place in the context of repeated EU calls on political players, particularly PCRM to agree on election of chief of state and avoid new parliamentary elections.

Bilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Romania

The Moldova-Romania relations are being normalised. The abolition of visa requirements for Romania by the new Chisinau Government was followed by development of the dialogue between authorities of the two countries regarding older problematic issues such as signing of the small border traffic convention, bilateral political treaty and border treaty, as well as opening of two Romanian consulates in Cahul and Balti and a Moldovan consulate in Iasi.

Titus Corlatean, chairman of the Commission for Foreign Relations of the Romanian Senate, who was on a working visit to Chisinau on September 23, 2009 confirmed Romania’s readiness to sign as soon as possible the small border traffic convention, which would facilitate the access of Moldovan citizens who reside 50 kilometres from the Moldovan-Romanian border to circulate freely to Romania. In addition, the signing of the convention concerned would open access to European funds for border-crossing cooperation.

At the same time, another up-to-date issue in the re-launched Moldovan-Romanian relations is the negotiation and signing of an Association Agreement between Moldova and EU. The Moldovan authorities have stated more than once that they rely on Romania’s support for the signing of this agreement, especially of the component related to the liberalisation of visa requirements for Moldovan citizens. Romania assured that it will support the Republic of Moldova in terms of European perspective of the latter, but, as a first step forward liberalisation of visa requirements, will try to make Brussels cancel the Romanian visa requirements for Moldovan citizens. The cancellation of the 500-euro requirement for Moldovan citizens while entering Romania could be a first action in this direction.

Republic of Moldova — Russia

The Moldova-Russia relations cross an exploration period after the election of a new Chisinau Government. The head of the Russian presidential administration, Sergei Naryshkin, was on a fact-collection visit to Chisinau in September and met the interim president of Moldova and chairman of the Parliament, Mihai Ghimpu, and Prime Minister Vlad Filat. The Moldovan authorities stated during bilateral discussions that the Russian Federation keeps being an important partner of Moldova and the objective of Moldova is to continue developing pragmatic and reciprocally advantageous relations with the Russian Federation.

On October 9, during the CIS Summit, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev had bilateral meetings with Mihai Ghimpu, interim president of Moldova, and PDM chairman Marian Lupu, candidate to president of Moldova. The parties discussed the future of Moldovan-Russian relations, with the Russian president saying that he expects friendly and good neighbourhood relations with Moldova.

The Moldovan-Russian talks also focussed on the Transnistrian settlement issue and 500-million-dollar credit promised by Russia to Moldova. The Russian Federation assured that it will keep supporting the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict in the “5+2” format. At the same time, the Russian side told the Moldovan Government that the release of the Russian 500-million-dollar credit was cancelled at the request of the former Moldovan government, but the Russian Federation is ready to provide a 150-million-dollar credit to Moldova in 2009.

Note by ADEPT: During the CIS summit the Russian president did not want to meet the former president of Moldova, Vladimir Voronin, but met Marian Lupu, candidate to president of Moldova. Experts interpreted this meeting as a clear proof of Russia’s support to candidate Lupu and a tacit call on the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova to support his candidacy.

Republic of Moldova — Ukraine

Following the investiture of the new Government, the Republic of Moldova took actions to impel the relations with Ukraine, organising bilateral meetings at level of heads of state and foreign ministers of both countries within the October 8–9 CIS Summit in Chisinau. The sides discussed the current Moldovan-Ukrainian relations and set tasks to impel them.

Republic of Moldova — USA

On October 7 Prime Minister Vlad Filat and Darius Teter, vice president for development of Compact programmes in the US Millennium Challenge Corporation, signed a 3.1-million-dollar grant agreement for the funding of a limited number of activities to be achieved before the signing of the Compact Programme. They are related to the contracting of Financial Agent, acquisition consultants, as well as building of a unit called Millennium Challenge Fund Moldova (MCF Moldova). Negotiations between Moldovan Government and Corporation regarding the Compact Assistance Agreement will begin very soon. The agreement foresees the allocation of 262 million dollars to implement two major projects on reconstruction of Moldova’s roads and development of agriculture, particularly enlargement of irrigated fields.

Multilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Council of Europe

Consultations on release of the Democracy Package for Moldova

On October 14, a delegation from the Council of Europe Secretariat led by Ms. Claudia Luciani, Director of Political Advice and Cooperation in the Directorate General for Democracy and Political Affairs, was on a fact-collection visit to Chisinau to discuss with the Moldovan authorities the Democracy Package for Moldova initiated by the Council of Europe jointly with the European Commission. During meetings with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration the CoE delegation introduced the draft project and learned initiatives by Moldovan authorities concerning the Democracy Package.

Hearing of report concerning the implementation of Resolution 1666 (2009) on the functioning of democratic institutions by Moldova

On October 2, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) heard the report concerning the implementation of Resolution 1666 (2009) on the functioning of democratic institutions by Moldova, drafted by CoE rapporteurs Josette Durrieu (France, socialist group) and Egidijus Vareikis (Lithuania, PPE/CD). During talks after the presentation of the report PACE members recommended the introduction of some amendments in the report, which would urge the authorities to conduct an independent investigation of violence committed after post-electoral developments and set an independent administrative organ to investigate complaints of people against police abuses.

ECHR decisions

The European Court of Human Rights has pronounced decisions on the following applications in the period concerned: Deservire S.R.L. vs. Moldova, Petru Rosca vs. Moldova, Godorozea vs. Moldova, Business and Investitii Pentru Toti vs. Moldova, Panzari vs. Moldova. The Court established violation of right to a fair trial, right to private property, right to an effective appeal, right not to be subjected to torture and inhuman treatments and set pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages to be paid to the applicants concerned by Moldovan Government. Overall damages for the five cases account for 11,925 Euros.

Republic of Moldova — CIS

During October 8–9, 2009 Chisinau hosted the meetings of the Council of CIS Heads of State and Council of CIS Foreign Ministers. The summit of CIS heads of state brought together the presidents of Moldova, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine. Presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan did not attend it. According to the chairman of the CIS Executive Committee, Sergei Lebedev, works of the councils developed in a constructive manner and members of the Council of CIS Heads of State adopted 22 documents, of them most important focussing on measures to clean up negative consequences of the world financial crisis. In its turn, the Council of CIS Foreign Ministers decided to develop cooperation among CIS member states in several areas: social assistance, migration, extension of education technology systems.

Note by ADEPT: According to experts, the Chisinau CIS Summit “burned” the Commonwealth, as presidents of four Central Asian states did not want to attend it, proving this way their discontentment with the Russian policy in the region and their desire to make a positive impression in front of western partners. Even more, the summit failed to calm down existing disputes between some CIS members.

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