Foreign Affairs on August 1–31, 2011

European integration

Moldova-EU visa facilitation agreement: second round of negotiations

Chisinau hosted on August 29 the second round of renegotiations on the Moldova-EU Visa Facilitation Agreement signed in 2007. According to a MFAEI communicationRO, the renegotiation of the agreement was necessary to adjust the new EU Visa Code enforced in April 2010, and to extend visa issuance facilities for Moldovan citizens after the visa liberalisation dialogue. In particular, the parties discussed the enlargement of categories of people to enjoy facilities while presenting trip justifying documents, so that to be issued multi-entry visas for one and five years, as well as categories of people to enjoy visas free of charge.

Next round will take place in Brussels in October 2011.

Bilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova — Russia

On August 3, 2011, Moscow hosted consultations between Foreign Ministries of Moldova and Russia at level of deputy ministers, with delegations being headed by Andrei Popov and Grigory Karasin. According to press services of both ministries, the sides discussed issues related to bilateral political, economic and humanitarian cooperation. A special attention was paid to efforts to restart the 5+2 negotiations on settlement of the Transnistrian conflict in the framework of the September-scheduled 5+2 meeting in Moscow. While on visit, Deputy Minister A.Popov met Russia’s representative in the negotiation process, Ambassador S.Gubarev.

Note by ADEPT: Some politicians from Chisinau were sceptical that the eventual resumption of the 5+2 negotiations could encourage the Transnistrian conflict settlement. According to the Chairman of the Liberal Party, Mihai Ghimpu, the Transnistrian conflict should not be discussed with Tiraspol authorities and this conflict can be settled just within a dialogue between Chisinau and Moscow. Russia’s influence on Moldova, Ghimpu continued, obstructs Moldova to join the EU.

Republic of Moldova — Romania

The Moldovan-Romanian relations continued to develop in August, especially in terms of institutional cooperation.

After the Romanian Government initially informed that it will grant 2,150 scholarships to Moldovans for the academic year 2011–2012, on August 24 the Romanian state decided to double the number of seatsRO and increased the number of scholarships for Moldovan youths up to 5,000 seats.

Another event was the signing of a joint action plan on new tactics and methods against crimes cooperation by Moldovan and Romanian Interior Ministries. The document signed on August 4 will facilitate cooperation and exchange of operative information, as well as prevention and fight against cross-border organised crimes between 3 subdivisions of the Moldovan Interior Ministry, directorate for special missions, directorate for investigations and interior security, and general directorate for information and interior protection of the Romanian Interior Ministry.

A Moldovan Consulate opened in the Romanian city of Timisoara on August 31, with the financial support of honorific consul and Professor Silviu Sofronie. According to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and European IntegrationRO (MFAEI), the Consulate in Timisoara will not provide consular services (it will not issue notarial acts and documents) but in exclusive situations with the consent and upon indication of MFAEI. The consulate will cover counties of Timisoara, Arad, Bihor, Hunedoara and Caras-Severin.

Republic of Moldova — U.S.

On August 25, Victor Bodiu, Secretary-General of the Moldovan Government, and Marcus Micheli, charge d’affaires of the US Embassy, signed the first amendment to the July 6, 2010 economic growth sustenance agreement between the U.S. and Moldovan Governments. According to the agreement, the U.S. was expected to allocate 10 million dollars to Moldova for economic development. The amendment calls for the doubling of funds, up to 20,460 million dollars. The U.S. financial support will be spent to implement the programme of the Moldovan Government aimed to improve the business environment, promote exports, enhance competitiveness and encourage economic activity in general. The assistance will be also used to set up a working group to advise the Ministry of Finance to revise the Customs Code of Moldova, so that to fit European standards.

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