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Foreign Affairs on October 19–31, 2009

European integration

Visit of European Commission delegation to Chisinau

During October 21–23, a delegation from the European Commission led by the head of the European Commission’s Directorate for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia, Mr. Gunnar Wiegand, was on working visit to Chisinau. While on visit, the European Commission delegation attended the first consultation meeting with the Moldovan Government on the future Association Agreement and participated in the 10th meeting of the Republic of Moldova — European Union Cooperation Committee. As well, the European Commission delegation met Justice Minister Alexandru Tanase, Deputy Prime Minister Victor Osipov, human rights experts, and others.

While discussing with Mr. Tanase, Mr. Wiegand welcomed the parliamentary commission set up to investigate the April 7 events and proposed the deployment of European experts to Chisinau to participate in the works of this commission. He also advised Moldova to speed up the reformation of the judiciary for a sooner accession to the European Union.

During talks with Mr. Osipov, Mr. Wiegand expressed the European Commission’s readiness to enhance the assistance provided for confidence-building measures between the two banks of the Dniester, by releasing a grant worth about 2 million Euros for economic projects. According to the European Commission’s representative, changing and modernising daily social and economic realities will make Moldova more attractive for people, including from the Transnistrian region.

Consultations on the Moldova-EU Association Agreement

The first round of technical consultations concerning the future Association Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and European Union took place on October 21. The sides discussed the structure of the future agreement, negotiation procedure, and composition of negotiation teams. As well, they set the timetable of negotiations, agreeing to organise the first formal negotiation round on January 12, 2010. According to Deputy Prime Minister Iurie Leanca, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, political and security matters which are the first of the three key topics of the future agreement will be tackled on January 12. The other two topics — signing a free trade agreement and liberalising visa regime with EU — will be tackled later. According to the minister, setting a concrete term for the signing of the agreement is impossible, but it will depend on promptness and involvement of all state institutions in the legislative approximation process with EU. In his turn, Mr. Wiegand confirmed that the agreement will not be signed soon, as long negotiations are required for a good accord, but the European Union stands ready to provide all necessary support to Moldova.

Note by ADEPT: Despite the EU opening over Moldova, the draft agreement proposed by Brussels does not provide any European prospect to Moldova. It does not go beyond the framework set by the new thorough agreement which the EU is now negotiating with Ukraine.

10th Meeting of the Republic of Moldova — European Union Cooperation Committee

The 10th Meeting of the Republic of Moldova — European Union Cooperation Committee was chaired by Natalia Gherman, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, and Gunnar Wiegand, head of the European Commission’s Directorate for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia. The sitting considered the results of implementation of the EU-Moldova Action Plan in the last year and agreed on the procedure of opening negotiations aimed to liberalise the visa regime and build a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, as well as on the list of topics for EU missions in charge with assessing economic aspects and issues related to visa regime. As well, it discussed Moldova’s opportunities to attract European funds for development, particularly for road building and repairing and infrastructure development. (According to a MFAEI communique)

Bilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Romania

Despite the governmental crisis in Bucharest, the Moldova-Romania relations revive; by turning the nice words into action. Thus, after more than a year of delay to sign the Convention on Small Border Traffic, on October 19 delegations from Foreign Ministries of Moldova and Romania opened negotiations on the convention concerned, with the convention being initialled and set for signing in November by Moldovan and Romanian premiers, during the visit of Prime Minister Filat to Bucharest. The convention will allow Moldovan citizens residing at 50 kilometres from the Moldovan-Romanian border to go to Romania at the same distance upon a small traffic permit issued free of charge for a one-year term. The permit will be further renewed depending on conduct of holder. As well, the delegations discussed issues relating to the opening of Romanian consulates in Cahul and Balti and Moldovan consulate in Iasi.

Another great achievement is the Government Emergency Ordinance No. 36/2009 on the modification of the law on citizenshipRO, which the Chamber of Deputies approved to simplify the modality of regaining the Romanian citizenship by those who lost it for irresponsible reasons or were lifted without their consent.

Republic of Moldova — Russia

Defence Minister Vitalie Marinuta met the Russian military attache to Moldova, Major-General Leonid Azarin on October 29. After the meeting Mr. Marinuta declared Moldova’s readiness to cooperate with Russia in efforts to ensure security and enhance qualification of military.

Republic of Moldova — Ukraine

The Parliament chairman, interim President Mihai Ghimpu has met the Ukrainian Ambassador in Chisinau, Sergei Pirozhkov, and discussed ways to develop Moldovan-Ukrainian relations and long-term economic partnerships. The sides agreed that developing dialogue between the two Parliaments by setting soon a Moldova-Ukraine interparliamentary friendship group would be the first step to forward this purpose.

Republic of Moldova — China

While meeting Prime Minister Vlad Filat, the Chinese ambassador in Chisinau, Mr. Longzhuang Shi, has confirmed China’s readiness to provide a one-billion-dollar credit to Moldova to develop infrastructure projects. The release conditions will be negotiated soon. As well, the Chinese ambassador called for deepening the bilateral dialogue, noting that China has already provided office requisites worth 5 million Yuan to Moldova for its Parliament and Presidency, as well as assistance to support reforms in National Army.

Republic of Moldova — Poland

While meeting Moldova’s Parliament Chairman and interim President Mihai Ghimpu on October 21, the Polish ambassador to Moldova, Mr. Krzysztof Suprowicz, expressed Poland’s readiness to provide computers to the Parliament of Moldova and two credits: first to cover the budgetary deficit and second to develop infrastructure. The Polish ambassador expressed the support of his country to Moldova’s European bids and internal democratic reforms.

Republic of Moldova — U.S.A.

On October 29, Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat and the U.S.A. ambassador in Chisinau, Mr. Asif Chaudhry, signed an agreement aimed at extending the permanent support of the U.S. Government for democratic reforms and rule of law in the Republic of Moldova. The agreement calls for extension of implementation term of the component related to the Customs Service reform within the Preliminary Country Programme of the Millennium Challenge Corporation. In particular, it aims to connect the Customs Service to the European electronic system for supervision of international cargo transport. The budget of this component is approximately 1.5 million dollars. Ambassador Asif J. Chaudhry noted that the U.S. Government will keep supporting Moldova on path of democratic reforms.

Multilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Council of Europe

Quadripartite meeting between the Council of Europe and the European Union

The 29th quadripartite meeting between the Council of Europe and the European Union was held in Luxembourg on October 27, 2009 and tackled several issues, including latest developments in the Republic of Moldova. The participants agreed that Moldova makes progress in implementing reforms, but recalled the need for Moldova to continue to make efforts in the field of respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law, including freedom of expression and media freedom. The participants agreed to help Moldova in these efforts by implementing the democracy-support assistance package initiated by the Council of Europe jointly with the European Commission.

ECHR decisions

The European Court of Human Rights has pronounced decisions on the following applications in the period concerned: Valeriu and Nicolae Rosca vs. Moldova and Matei and Tutunaru vs. Moldova. In the first case the Court indicated violation of the right to not be subjected to torture, and violation of the right to a fair trial in the second case. Overall damages for the two cases amount to 36,556 Euros.

Republic of Moldova — BSEC

During October 20–22, a Moldovan delegation headed by State Minister Victor Bodiu attended the works of the Meeting of the Committee of High-Ranking Functionaries of the Organisation of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and the Meeting of the Council of BSEC Foreign Ministers.

September 19 – October 18, 2009 November 1–15, 2009