Activity of the President on October 11–25, 2005

Diplomatic rankings

The Moldovan president awarded diplomatic rankings of ambassador to Deputy Premier Andrei Stratan, minister of foreign affairs and European integration, and Reintegration Minister Vasili Sova.

Meetings. Working visits

Meeting with the acting OSCE chairmanship

Vladimir Voronin met with OSCE Chairman-in-Office Dimitrij Rupel, who was on a special tour to Moldova and Ukraine. The talks focused on Transnistrian settlement issue, which captured a special attention in connection with latest measures undertaken in this regard: adoption of a new concept on settlement of the Transnistrian problem through a parliamentary consensus; outlining of Ukraine’s role in the settlement process; introduction of an international monitoring on the Moldovan-Ukrainian border. In the context, the chief of state spoke out about involvement of the European Union and United States in negotiations, as well as acceptance of the joint initiative of Moldovan and Ukrainian presidents regarding preparation and conduct of free and democratic elections under international monitoring by the OSCE chairmanship.

In addition, the sides tackled the issue regarding the final declaration of the December-scheduled Ministerial summit of the OSCE in Ljubljana, which the Moldovan authorities would like to include provisions on Transnistrian conflict.

Visit to Cahul district and Giurgiulesti terminal

While on a working visit to the Cahul district, the chief of state collected facts regarding the project on construction of a power station with a 450-megawatt capacity near the village of Burlaceni. The Russian company Itera will build the station, while the energy will be supplied to Moldova and exported to the Baltic countries.

The construction works will start in 2006 and the parliament had earlier passed a special law exempting the equipment needed to be imported for construction from customs duties and afferent fiscal taxes. The debates on this draft challenged negative reactions from parliamentary opposition representatives, who invoked the doubtful nature of this affair and obscure interests of some cabinet members for this draft. Although the parliamentary majority adopted the law, the president turned it down, invoking the unclear nature of norms and lack of documents projection needed for this purpose. Lawmakers accepted the objections of the presidency, annulling their own decision just on the day when the chief of state visited the construction concerned.

Vladimir Voronin studied the level of works for construction of the Giurgiulesti oil terminal. It was remarked that the terminal could receive and store the first cache of oil products from Azerbaijan in March 2006. The construction of fluvial port, stipulated by the same project, would place Moldova among states with maritime access, providing inherent economic advantages. The chief of state noted that an efficient cooperation is needed with the Azerbaijani partner Azpetrol, while the success of this project is a guarantee of consolidation of cooperation relations between Moldova and Azerbaijan.

In the context, it is worth to mention a recent Russian press report, which said that Azpetrol manager Rafic Aliev and his brother, who was recently relived from post of minister for external economic relations of Azerbaijan, were held in Baku on October 20. The manager of the biggest private oil company was held on political reasons, as well as on corruption-related charges.

Trips abroad

Official visit to Croatia

The Moldovan president paid an official visit to Croatia on October 12–13, and he had meetings with his Croatian counterpart Stjepan Mesic, speaker and premier of this country. The sides tackled aspects of bilateral and regional cooperation, implementation of existing interstate agreements.

Summit of Central Europe heads of state

President Vladimir Voronin addressed the 12th summit of Central Europe leaders in Zagreb on October 14–15, 2005, and highlighted the importance of the European Union as “fortress of stability on continent, in which every European state wants to find its place.” The Moldovan president noted that our country “is adjusting to defining criteria for plenary participation in the European integration process, with the European option being of interior policy, a motivation for continuation of reforms.”
Vladimir Voronin had a number of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from participating states within the Zagreb summit:
He met with Czech President Vaclav Klaus, and discussed aspects related to intensification of political dialogue between the two sides, commercial-economic relations and importance to open a Czech Embassy in Chisinau.
Within a discussion with Romanian President Traian Basescu the sides exchanged opinions regarding evolutions in the Transnistrian settlement process, as well as on economic problems of common interest.
The Austrian president expressed the interest of business circles from Austria for extension of activities in Moldova, as well as support for Austrian authorities regarding political settlement of the Transnistrian conflict.
At a meeting with Poland’s President Alexander Kwasniewski the sides remarked the contribution of the Polish authorities and support for implementation of the Moldova-E.U. Action Plan.
Vladimir Voronin agreed with his counterpart from Bosnia-Herzegovina Ivo Miro Jovic on mutual visits of parliamentary and governmental delegations.

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