Activity of the Government on October 26 – November 7, 2005

Appointments

The Government has approved the candidacy of Veaceslav Madan for the post of Moldovan Ambassador to Bulgaria. Madan held the post of culture minister in 2002–2005.

It is worth to mention in this context that AMN Deputy Vitalia Pavlicenco demanded the presidency and foreign minister at the October 27 parliamentary sitting to provide information about criteria of selection for posts of Moldovan ambassadors to other countries. According to the AMN lawmaker, some persons who have recently been appointed to diplomatic posts “failed their tasks inside the country.”

Deputy Oleg Serebrian invoked some shortcomings related to activity of the diplomatic service of Moldova, dismissal of certain experienced diplomats and use of indefinite employment criteria in the Foreign Ministry.

Sittings. Statements

Cabinet sitting “with participation of chief of state”

President Vladimir Voronin attended a cabinet sitting on October 26, 2005. Journalists had no access to the sitting room and video records practiced at sittings of executive until now. It was announced later that the chief of state spoke out about his wishes and visions on implementation of the action plan of the Government, as well as on economic situation.

Summaries released after this sitting envisage a number of shortcomings related to activity of executive, which the chief of state indicated in a “bitter and sincere” manner, soliciting to include them in a decision on talks. In particular, the president indicated aspects related to quality of economic growth, rise of industrial production, diversification of sale market and enhancement of competitiveness of goods made in Moldova. The chief of state asked the cabinet members to demonstrate initiative, while the entire executive was told to replace expectation with initiative and modernisation, including the state management sector.

The fact that first Deputy Premier Zinaida Grecianii, not the prime minister, reported on situation in the sector at the cabinet sitting and delivered some statements on this topic made many mass media institutions and political leaders tackle the probability of dismissal of Premier Vasile Tarlev, but Grecianii refuted these suppositions. To mention in this context that lawmakers from all parliamentary factions have launched many demands and even accusations against executive once the autumn session of legislature started, soliciting information about situation of economy and measures of the cabinet of ministers capable to improve it. The prime minister did not react to demands of lawmakers who solicited his presence, while ministers and deputy ministers answered most important topics in the Parliament.

Rise of gas prices becomes reality

The prime minister has confirmed that the Moldovan authorities do their best to reduce the effect of the expected rise of prices of natural gas supplied by the Russian Federation. Although Moldova considers possibilities to import natural gas from Turkmenistan or Kazakhstan, these possibilities are limited because the pipe is unique and belongs to the Russian Gazprom, so that Russia’s consent will be needed in any situation.

Speaking about payment of the 120-million-dollar historical debt of Moldova towards Russia, Vasile Tarlev said that this problem would be discussed and solved only within the Paris-based Club of Creditors.

Mass media said that the Moldovan authorities consider the possibility to accept other fuel resources, but fell short of revealing their nature and capacity of alternative resources to ensure the economic and social needs of the country.

Declaration on delivery of weapons from Transnistria to Chechen separatists

Vasile Tarlev has told Russian journalists that the Moldovan authorities hold information confirming that one part of the Russian arsenal in Transnistria arrived in hands of Chechen separatists and it could be used for the September 2004 terrorist attack in the Beslan city. According to the prime minister, the Russian Federation must withdraw its military depots from the left bank of the Dniester river by late 2005, including from these reasons.

On the other hand, Russian Defence Minister Sergey Ivanov excluded the probability of disappearance of ammunition from depots administrated by Russian military contingent in Transnistria. He described these statements as groundless and noted that “peacekeepers would not leave the region but after adoption of a political decision on Transnistrian conflict.”

Government wants means of citizens

The Government intends to implement a series of investment projects by late 2005 aimed to attract means from individuals, especially from Moldovans who work abroad. According to first Deputy Premier Zinaida Grecianii, these projects could reduce the pressure of remittances of illegal workers on national currency and their reorientation from consumption to development of Moldova’s economy.

Perspectives of resumption of cooperation with IMF

The Moldovan authorities hope to sign a new financial programme with the International Monetary Fund this year. The economics and trade minister has confirmed that “the recent IMF mission was persuaded regarding the need of a new programme.” IMF experts studied the draft state budget law for 2006 and “raised no reservations against its indicators.” Earlier, the IMF chief negotiator for Moldova had estimated that the authorities registered a series of progresses, but they still have to solve problems related to anti-corruption fight, more independence for the National Bank of Moldova, promotion of administrative and fiscal reform, and continuation of privatisation.

Resolutions. Decisions

A monitoring system for EGPRSP

The Economics and Trade Ministry has worked out a three-dimension system for monitoring and appreciation of implementation of the Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (EGPRSP). A chapter of the system will envisage financial resources for implementation of EGPRSP; the second chapter calls for a quantitative and qualitative monitoring of measures and indicators included in EGPRSP, while the third chapter will appreciate the results of economic and social policies implemented within EGPRSP.

Representatives of competent authorities and associative sector will participate in roundtables on examination of quarterly and annual reports on implementation of EGPRSP.

Support for young teachers

The executive has approved a regulation of the fund for assistance of young teachers in rural areas, which says that young teachers will receive 7,000 lei within one month after employment in line with assignment of the Education Ministry. Another 10,000 lei will be paid to young teachers after one year of work, and 13,000 lei after three years of work. Young graduates from secondary pedagogical institutions will receive a 24,000-leu indemnity under similar conditions. Young specialists who paid for their education will also benefit from this indemnity, if they get employed in line with assignment.

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