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Foreign Affairs on June 16–30, 2011

European integration

Republic of Moldova gets mandate to negotiate liberalisation of air transportation with EU

The European Union Transport Council gave green light to the European Commission on June 16 to open negotiations with Moldova regarding the signing of a common aviation agreement with EU. The agreement aims at mutually opening the respective markets and gradually harmonise the national regulatory framework. Prime Minister Vlad Filat expressed optimism that negotiations and signing of the agreement will be completed by the end of 2011.

Strategy for Danube Region adopted

On June 24 the European Council adopted the Strategy for the Danube Region (SDR)RO, a macroregional cooperation project aimed to contribute to economic, social, cultural development and to preserve the environment in the Danube Region, which will cover 14 states (EU members and non-members) including Moldova. The strategy is accompanied by an action plan which establishes four objectives:

Actions and regional cooperation projects to be implemented as part of the Action Plan will focus on 11 areas. Riparian countries will coordinate cooperation in the areas of priority actions. Moldova along with Austria will coordinate the area related to investment in people and competences.

The strategy does not stipulate any supplementary funds, but the use of existing funds of at least 100 billion Euros provided within the EU cohesion policy.

…and Danube Civil Society Forum opens

Eisenstadt/Kismarton, Austria, hosted on June 30 the first Danube Civil Society Forum, which wants to be a platform for dialogue and structural consultations between civil society, public authorities and private companies within the EU Strategy for the Danube Region.

The forum aims to promote and enhance civil society participation and networking in the framework of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region. Membership in the Forum is open to all NGOs who work in the Danube Region, have a track record of competence and experience and are able to contribute to implementation of projects in the framework of the 11 priority areas covered by SDR Action Plan.

Bilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Ukraine

Following long bilateral consultations and contradictory statements, the Act of determining and fixing the boundariesRO on the ground plot highway Odessa-Reny highway near the Moldovan locality of Palanca was signed in Chisinau on June 30, 2011 to close up the Palanca case in bilateral relations. According to the act, the Odessa-Reni highway sector near Palanca, as well as the Moldovan field crossed by this highway were transferred to Ukraine. Ukraine will exploit and maintain the highway and all necessary facilities in the ceded area. Moldova maintains its right to use free of charge the highway area concerned. In addition to transmitted part will not be the border, customs and other controls, which are usually carried out at crossing the state border. Palanca residents retain the inalienable right to freely use more than 900 hectares of Moldovan land situated on the opposite side of the highway.

According to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and European IntegrationRO, this decision was made after the 41st sitting of the Moldovan-Ukrainian demarcation commission held on June 14–15, 2011, which established and approved the locations of border signs in the Palanca area. At the same time, Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration Iurie Leanca said that Ukrainian authorities have constantly pressed Moldova to cede the area near Palanca village, inclusively by obliging Moldovan citizens to hold 1,200 dollars while crossing the Ukrainian territory.

The European Union welcomed the signing of the act in a statement by the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy policy, Catherine Aston, and European Commissioner for enlargement, Stefan Fule, who described this step as capable to give an impulse to relations between Moldova and Ukraine and to strengthen regional stability. On the other hand, Palanca residents protested against this act, being revolted that the area was ceded without consulting them beforehand.

Multilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — NATO

Chisinau hosted on June 16–17, 2011 the Meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in the format of the Atlantic Policy Advisory Group (EAPC/APAG). The APAG meeting included three working sittings which focussed on:

The format of EAPC/APAG meetings brings together representatives of former Soviet states, neutral western countries, Western Balkan states, non-members of NATO along with representatives of NATO member states to discuss common security issues.

Deputy Premier Iurie Leanca, minister for foreign affairs and European integration, met Thursday Ambassador Dirk Brengelmann, NATO assistant secretary-general for political affairs and security policy. Leanca mentioned the gradual dynamic of development of Moldova-NATO relations, noting that Moldova calls for further consolidation of political dialogue and practical cooperation with NATO in diverse areas, including reformation of national security and defence sector.

Republic of Moldova — Council of Europe
ECHR judgments

ECHR pronounced two decisions in the second half of June concerning the fair resolution of two cases: Ipate vs.MoldovaRO and Oculist and Imas vs. MoldovaRO.

The Court established in the case Ipate vs. Moldova violation of the right not to be tortured and treated in an inhuman manner and granted 15,000 Euros to applicant in non-pecuniary damage and 100 Euros in costs and expenses.

The Court established in the case Oculist and Imas vs. Moldova violation of the right to a fair trial and granted by 1,600 Euros to applicants in non-pecuniary damage and 1,000 Euros in costs and expenses.

June 1–15, 2011 July 1–15, 2011