Series:IDIS DIscussion Papers

The Project of a Concept of National Security - Decisive Test for the Moldovan Political Elite

Proiectul Concepţiei Securităţii Naţionale - Test decisiv pentru Elita Politică Moldovenească

Author(s): Dumitru Minzarari / Language(s): Romanian

Keywords: national security; Moldova-Russia-relations;

The study addresses the subject by describing the security requirements of Moldova, established by the internal and external context. It takes the 1995 Concept of National Security, the new draft Concept and the existing model of strategic planning in the field of national security in the West as points of reference. Referring to these documents, the study offers suggestions for solving the current security problems facing the Republic of Moldova. These are summarized throughout the text in the form of recommendations, which even if they seem obvious, are still ignored in existing documents and projects, which generates critical vulnerabilities for the state. // In the study, in parallel with the traditionally accepted name in Moldova of “conception of national security”, the expression “national security strategy” or simply “security strategy” will be used interchangeably. We were led to use these terms by the experience of other states, which, depending on their history and political culture, have used one or another of the names listed above to define the main strategic reference document in the field of national security. We will also analyze the importance of the name, as well as its possible repercussions on the efficiency of the national security mechanism, based on the specifics of the political culture in our country. Presenting the subject of the debate (in order to confirm the existence of the dangers generated by the formalist attitude of the local political elites towards the national security strategy) we will initially investigate why a country would need such a document.

EU-Moldova action plan: An outstanding Desideratum or Total Failure?

Planul de acţiuni UE-RM: Restanţe sau Eşec total?

Author(s): Dumitru Minzarari / Language(s): Romanian

Keywords: EU-Accession of Moldova; EU-Moldova rapprochement;

The appearance of this study coincides with the conclusion of the Action Plan "European Union - Republic of Moldova" (EUMAP), which will be officially concluded at the end of February 2008, but which will continue to serve as a reference point in the political dialogue established by the EU in relationship with the Republic of Moldova and during the following years. The most popular view of the Action Plan at this time is that its implementation has led to more disagreements than consensual agreements between the authorities and society, as well as between the ruling party and the opposition parties. The discrepancies on the subject of the Action Plan are all the more astonishing as many of the objectives and tools of this Action Plan initially aroused the enthusiasm of most actors in the Republic of Moldova. The last period of implementation of this Plan coincided with the emergence of a growing list of discrepancies between civil society and central authorities on the successes achieved in these 3 years of implementation, while providing valuable elements of analysis, comparison and reflection on the reasons given.

The Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation as an obstacle to democratic development in the Post-Soviet space

Politica Externă a Federaţiei Ruse ca obstacol al dezvoltării democratice în spaţiul Post-Sovietic

Author(s): Dumitru Minzarari / Language(s): Romanian

Keywords: Moldova-Russia-relations; post-Soviet Foreign Policy;

It is even quite difficult to understand how Russia is obstructing the process of democratic transition in post-Soviet states because of the subtle tools and methods used by the Kremlin. In fact, Russia has returned to the mechanisms of indirect aggression practiced by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Then, understanding the enormous danger of a nuclear war, which could have been triggered by direct armed clashes with the United States, the Soviet Union confronted its enemy in third world states through proxy wars. As the provisions of international law do not address the field of indirect aggression well, Russia is free to unleash such hostile actions against its neighbors. The paper will also superficially address these aspects, i.e. the gaps in international law, which, in modern conditions, leads to the transformation of interstate aggression mechanisms. The main purpose of the study, however, will remain to investigate how to use indirect aggression in Russia's foreign policy, in order to generate the regression of the democratic transition in Moldova. The next chapter will elucidate the preponderance of the foreign factor, more precisely of the Russian foreign policy, over the domestic, domestic factor, in directing the political processes and the internal development of the examined post-Soviet states.

The Republic of Moldova and the Transnistrian Region: Regional Development and tertiary Cooperation

Republica Moldova și regiunea Transnistreană: Dezvoltarea Regională și Cooperarea in terco munitară

Author(s): Eduard Ţugui / Language(s): Romanian

Keywords: Transnistria; Russia-Moldova relations; separatism; frozen conflict;

The text is based on the discussions of experts from the Republic of Moldova and the Transnistrian region during the round table "Regional development and prospects for interregional cooperation on both banks of the Dniester" on May 16, 2014, held at IDIS "Viitorul" within the project « Stimulating consolidation measures of trust between Chisinau and Tiraspol ». The opinions and conclusions found in the text do not necessarily represent the position of the partner and donor institutions - UNDP and the Romanian Embassy in the Republic of Moldova - or the position of IDIS « Viitorul ». // The purpose of the round table was to identify the existing legal framework and regional development policies in the Republic of Moldova and the Transnistrian region, highlight the needs and obstacles of regional development, as well as formulate recommendations to stimulate cooperation of local and regional public authorities on both sides. The Dniester. Regional development is the main mechanism for reducing the development gaps in contemporary society, in order to ensure economic, social and territorial cohesion. The paradigm that implies the homogeneous development of all regions and regional development policies is gradually articulated within the European Union, with the consolidation and expansion of integration, becoming a model of development for much of the contemporary world. Regional development and European cohesion policy are the mechanism that within the European Union has led to reducing regional development disparities and building the welfare state, while the process of European integration of the Republic of Moldova necessarily involves regional development.

Education, Health and Medicine on both banks of the Dniester

Educaţia, Sănătatea şi Medicina pe ambele maluri ale Nistrului

Author(s): Cornel Ciurea / Language(s): Romanian

Keywords: Moldova-Transnistria;

The discussions of experts from both banks of the Dniester focused on the bilateral issues that exist between Chisinau and Tiraspol in the field of education, health and medicine, and on the possibilities of initiating joint projects. // A serious problem in the relations between the two banks of the Dniester that affects all levels of education is related to the different format of education systems. There are no baccalaureate exams in Transnistria, and pre-university education lasts 11 years (unlike Moldova where young people study for 12 years). Because of this, young people graduating from Moldovan schools in Transnistria with Cyrillic script are forced to study for a year in the Republic of Moldova and only after passing the baccalaureate, they have the right to be enrolled in higher education institutions on the right bank of the Dniester. Compatibility issues also exist at other levels of study - university cycle I and II, doctorate and employment of teachers. In the absence of close control by the Ministry of Education, the exact procedures by which young Transnistrians end up studying at higher education institutions in Moldova or working as teachers are not known. For example, there are known cases when graduates of pedagogical institutions in Transnistria are employed as Romanian language teachers in schools on the right bank, although they have studied Romanian in Cyrillic script.

About barriers and incentives in the trade between Moldova and Transnistria under DCFTA conditions

Despre bariere şi stimulente în schimbul comercial dintre Moldova şi Transnistria în condiţiile ZLSAC

Author(s): Tatiana Lariusin / Language(s): Romanian

Keywords: mutual trade in frozen conflict; Moldova-Transnistria;

The creation of a common economic space is preceded by the establishment of a free trade area with the application of a common customs tariff. Moldova and Transnistria participate in regional projects of political, institutional and economic integration that have an opposite vector. Each of the parties shall regulate its relations in the fields of foreign trade and customs in accordance with its own legislation. At the same time, the Republic of Moldova and Transnistria are characterized by small internal market dimensions, limited production factors and insufficient natural resources. These issues impose special requirements on the effectiveness of foreign economic activity and largely determine the general nature of the development of economies on both banks of the Dniester. All these discussions take place in a very difficult regional context. The crisis in Ukraine has generated extensive consultations and various stidoes on the scenarios of the evolution of the situation and the ways of solving the conditions of concurrent integrations in this part of the post-Soviet space. A crucial regional challenge is to avoid "geopolitical ruptures" as well as to create a new platform for cooperation between the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, the EU and the Russian Federation.

Education, Health Care and Medicine on both banks of the Dniester

Образование, здравоо хранение и медицина на обоих берегах Днестра

Author(s): Cornel Ciurea / Language(s): Russian

The discussions of experts from both banks of the Dniester focused on the bilateral issues that exist between Chisinau and Tiraspol in the field of education, health and medicine, and on the possibilities of initiating joint projects. // A serious problem in the relations between the two banks of the Dniester that affects all levels of education is related to the different format of education systems. There are no baccalaureate exams in Transnistria, and pre-university education lasts 11 years (unlike Moldova where young people study for 12 years). Because of this, young people graduating from Moldovan schools in Transnistria with Cyrillic script are forced to study for a year in the Republic of Moldova and only after passing the baccalaureate, they have the right to be enrolled in higher education institutions on the right bank of the Dniester. Compatibility issues also exist at other levels of study - university cycle I and II, doctorate and employment of teachers. In the absence of close control by the Ministry of Education, the exact procedures by which young Transnistrians end up studying at higher education institutions in Moldova or working as teachers are not known. For example, there are known cases when graduates of pedagogical institutions in Transnistria are employed as Romanian language teachers in schools on the right bank, although they have studied Romanian in Cyrillic script.

The Republic of Moldova and the Transnistrian Region: Regional Development and tertiary Cooperation

Республика Молдова и Приднестровье: Региональное развитие и межобщинное Сотрудничество

Author(s): Eduard Ţugui / Language(s): Russian

Keywords: Transnistria; Russia-Moldova relations; separatism; frozen conflict;

The text is based on the discussions of experts from the Republic of Moldova and the Transnistrian region during the round table "Regional development and prospects for interregional cooperation on both banks of the Dniester" on May 16, 2014, held at IDIS "Viitorul" within the project « Stimulating consolidation measures of trust between Chisinau and Tiraspol ». The opinions and conclusions found in the text do not necessarily represent the position of the partner and donor institutions - UNDP and the Romanian Embassy in the Republic of Moldova - or the position of IDIS « Viitorul ». // The purpose of the round table was to identify the existing legal framework and regional development policies in the Republic of Moldova and the Transnistrian region, highlight the needs and obstacles of regional development, as well as formulate recommendations to stimulate cooperation of local and regional public authorities on both sides. The Dniester. Regional development is the main mechanism for reducing the development gaps in contemporary society, in order to ensure economic, social and territorial cohesion. The paradigm that implies the homogeneous development of all regions and regional development policies is gradually articulated within the European Union, with the consolidation and expansion of integration, becoming a model of development for much of the contemporary world. Regional development and European cohesion policy are the mechanism that within the European Union has led to reducing regional development disparities and building the welfare state, while the process of European integration of the Republic of Moldova necessarily involves regional development.

About barriers and incentives in the trade between Moldova and Transnistria under DCFTA conditions

О барьерах и стимулах во взаимной торговле Мол довы и Приднестровья в усло виях DCFTA

Author(s): Tatiana Lariusin / Language(s): Russian

Keywords: mutual trade in frozen conflict; Moldova-Transnistria;

The creation of a common economic space is preceded by the establishment of a free trade area with the application of a common customs tariff. Moldova and Transnistria participate in regional projects of political, institutional and economic integration that have an opposite vector. Each of the parties shall regulate its relations in the fields of foreign trade and customs in accordance with its own legislation. At the same time, the Republic of Moldova and Transnistria are characterized by small internal market dimensions, limited production factors and insufficient natural resources. These issues impose special requirements on the effectiveness of foreign economic activity and largely determine the general nature of the development of economies on both banks of the Dniester. All these discussions take place in a very difficult regional context. The crisis in Ukraine has generated extensive consultations and various stidoes on the scenarios of the evolution of the situation and the ways of solving the conditions of concurrent integrations in this part of the post-Soviet space. A crucial regional challenge is to avoid "geopolitical ruptures" as well as to create a new platform for cooperation between the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, the EU and the Russian Federation.

Transition Issues to International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards and Norms on both banks of the Dniester River

Probleme de Tranziție la Standardele şi Normele Internaționale în domeniul Sanitar și Fitosanitar pe ambele maluri ale Râului Nistru

Author(s): Tatiana Lariusin,Inna Butucel / Language(s): Romanian

Keywords: EU-Moldova Association Agreement; Moldova-Transnistria;

The Association Agreement (AA) between the Republic of Moldova and the EU, signed in 2014, ratified by the parties in 2015, entered into force definitively on January 1, 2016. Economic integration is an important part of this Agreement, and involves the creation of an area of Free Deep and Comprehensive Trade (DCFTA) between Moldova and the EU. // A special feature of this Agreement is the fact that Moldova signed the AA with an unresolved secessionist conflict with the Transnistrian region. In turn, the distinguishing feature of the Transnistrian conflict is the fact that stable trade relations have been established between the two parties to the conflict, wich in the last two years have shown an increasing trend. Due to their small size and dependence on imports of basic factors of production, the economies of Moldova and the Transnistrian region are particularly interested in a development of foreign trade activities and an increase in their trade capacity. The implementation of AA and DCFTA, with technical support from the EU, contributes to institutional modernization, refurbishment and increasing the competitiveness of exports on both banks of the Dniester.

Increasing the competitiveness of enterprises on both banks of the Dniester

Creşterea Competitivităţii întreprinderilor de pe ambele maluri ale Nistrului

Author(s): Viorel Chiviriga / Language(s): Romanian

Keywords: economy od Moldova; economy of Transnistria;

Factors at the country level that have repercussions on the competitiveness of the national economy are those that have an impact on the overall cost structure and productivity of the entire economy. These include both the business environment and macroeconomic factors: inflation and the exchange rate. Regarding the factors at the country level, the focus of several policy documents and the Roadmap for improving the competitiveness of the Republic of Moldova are focused on creating a favorable business environment, which includes the following elements: international trade and customs administration; fiscal and administrative policy; the competitive framework; business regulation environment; access to financial resources; infrastructure and logistics; the contract, the implementation of property rights and the quality of the judicial system; environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources; investor protection; labor market regulation.

Educational Systems on both banks of the Dniester River: Differences and boundary Points

Sistemele Educaționale de pe ambele maluri ale Râului Nistru: Diferențe și Puncte de Tangențe

Author(s): Ion Tăbârță / Language(s): Romanian

Keywords: educational system in Republic of Moldova; educational system in Transnistria;

The purpose of this study is not to analyze the good or bad parts of the two educational systems on both banks of the Dniester River, but to highlight the differences between them and, at the same time, to find certain points of tangency.

Relaunching the Regional Development Cooperation between Chișinau and Tiraspol

Relansarea Cooperării Dezvoltării regionale dintre Chișinău și Tiraspol

Author(s): Liubomir Chiriac / Language(s): Romanian

Keywords: Regional Development Cooperation; Moldova-Transnistria;

The material was developed based on discussions between experts from Chisinau and Tiraspol during the round table "Perspectives of regional cooperation between Chisinau and Tiraspol", organized on July 8, 2016 by IDIS "Viitorul" within the project "Engaging regional stakeholders for conflict settlement through thematic exchange of ideas”, with the financial support of The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation, German Marchall Fund. The opinions and conclusions from this analysis belong to the author and do not necessarily represent the position of IDIS "Viitorul" or the donor institution. The objective of this round table is to clarify the legal, institutional framework and regional development policies on both banks of the Dniester, as well as to analyze the current situation in this area, identifying problems and barriers to regional development, and formulating conclusions and recommendations. which would bring Chisinau and Tiraspol closer together in terms of regional cooperation. In the Republic of Moldova, a European regional development model is being implemented, inspired by the European experience, and which aims to eliminate major imbalances between regions and provide stronger support for disadvantaged regions. In the European Union, regional development has led to the elimination of major regional differences, building welfare status.

DCFTA implementation in the Transnistrian region: progress or just rhetoric?

Implementarea ZLSAC în regiunea Transnistreană: progres sau doar retorică?

Author(s): Valentin Lozovanu / Language(s): Romanian

Keywords: DCFTA; regional cooperation; Transnistria-conflict;

In all probability, Chisinau's strategy was to gradually integrate the Transnistrian economy into a single economic and legal space by signing and implementing AA56. At the same time, Tiraspol, which obstructed the negotiations in the working groups by delegating a single person (lower rank), tried to extend the PCA to postpone the application of DCFTA and obtain unilateral concessions from the EU and the Chisinau authorities. . The EU avoided a crisis in the wake of the withdrawal of trade preferences for exports from the Transnistrian region in order not to antagonize Russia7 and to maintain the instrument of soft power by intensifying economic ties on both banks of the Dniester, involving the region's business and civil society. However, in view of the fact that the authorities in the region will not agree to apply the commitments agreed in the roadmap for the two-year period (or will do so incompletely, avoiding more sensitive areas for the EU) both Moldova, which has committed itself to apply the provisions throughout its territory (but which does not have the possibility to exercise regular control8), as well as the EU will be in a difficult situation. Chisinau began applying customs controls at its borders in 2006 to check goods that are imported and exported from / to the Transnistrian region and thereby, indirectly, ensures the adoption of rules of origin in areas it does not control. 9 However, even if customs control is exercised at the border and unofficially and limited to certain undertakings in the region, these arrangements cannot ensure comprehensive monitoring at all stages of rules of origin and quality standards (sanitary and phytosanitary). in the technological process of production10. Moreover, there are a number of other measures related to the harmonization of the legislative and policy framework with that of the EU (part of the conditions in the roadmap) in terms of competition, intellectual property rights, procurement, customs administration, etc. whose implementation does not depend on the private sector but on the activity of the institutions. One year after the decision, it remains unclear both the progress of implementing these requirements in the Transnistrian region (to maintain the possibility of exporting to the EU) and the prospects of this compromise as Chisinau and Tiraspol look in different directions (EU and EUE). -a complicated regional economic context.

Perspectives for resolving the Transnistrian conflict in the context of Regional Change

Perspectivele soluţionării conflictului Transnistrean în contextul Schimbărilor Regionale

Author(s): Veaceslav Berbeca / Language(s): Romanian

Keywords: Transnistria-conflict;

This study aims to evaluate the discussions on the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict in 2016. The analysis addresses, in particular, the events related to the meeting of 2-3 June 2016 in Berlin in the format "5 + 2" and the reaction of the participants and Moldovan civil society compared to the results obtained. The issue of the Transnistrian conflict is an important topic on which the modernization process of the state of the Republic of Moldova depends very much. However, despite some measures to relaunch the negotiations in the "5 + 2" format, we find an attitude of distrust on the part of some representatives of the state but also of the civil society towards the negotiation process. Considering the mentioned problems, we notice a concern of the Moldovan society towards the evolution of the negotiations and the results that could be obtained. This state of affairs highlights the risks of resolving the Transnistrian conflict for the modernization and democratization of the state of the Republic of Moldova. The principle of "red lines" launched by civil society conveys the idea of pressure on the Moldovan authorities in the "5 + 2" format to make them make unilateral concessions and incompatible with the rules and principles of international law could seriously harm the future status of the region Transnistrian within the Republic of Moldova.