Series:Moldova’s Foreign Policy Statewatch

Visa-free Perspectives for Moldova: A never ending Story or an Accomplishable Task?

Visa-free Perspectives for Moldova: A never ending Story or an Accomplishable Task?

Author(s): Leonid Litră / Language(s): English

The visa-free travel is very important for Moldova in the context of reintegration and geographical links, but also in the context of implementing reforms. Learning from the Balkan states that undergone through such reforms, the Moldovan government is seriously focusing on resolving issues related to security of breeder documents, border check control on the Transnistrian perimeter and combating corruption. Nevertheless, these efforts are not yet officially monitored due to the absence of a visa-free liberalization roadmap.

Opportunities to enhance Energy Security of the Republic of Moldova

Opportunities to enhance Energy Security of the Republic of Moldova

Author(s): Viorica Antonov / Language(s): English

Keywords: Moldova energy supply;

The launching of the project for liquefied natural gas transport known as LNG between Romania, Georgia and Azerbaijan, is considered faster and a more efficient project than Nabucco within the European Southern Corridor. The project is designated as the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Romania Interconnector (AGRI) and the cost has been estimated at between 4 and 6 billion Euro. This transport agreement will be developed by private companies from those three countries in cooperation with a consortium of businesses and financial institutions. The AGRI had drawn the attention to the Moldovan authorities as a real prospect of improvement of the energy potential and reducing of dependence on Russian natural gas. Taking in advance the potential of the project that assures a stable and reliable route of LNG supplies, it might be an advantage for Moldova to be involved in the project. Construction of a liquefied gas terminal in the Giurgiulesti port would be a priority for the energy security of Moldova, especially considering entirely the dependence of country on Russian gas supplies.

Black Sea Region – Continuity or geopolitical Change

Black Sea Region – Continuity or geopolitical Change

Author(s): Corneliu Ciurea / Language(s): English

Keywords: Blsack-Sea in Geopolitics;

The geopolitical situation in the Black Sea Region is in a continuous state of flux. This region was rediscovered at the beginning of the XXI century when some euroatlantic practitionners started to think about it as an ideal place for the transit of oil and gas from the Cas¬pian Sea, a fertile land for the expansion of the frontiers of freedom and a good bridgehead for the containment of Russia. This region took different forms in the past, being alternatively a Soviet Union „salt-lake” counteracted by Turkey and a proving ground for the erec¬ting of the frontiers of freedom. Today, we could notice a reformating of this region by reordering it according to the principles of inter-block rivalry. In these conditions, Moldova is compelled to renew its policy of balancing among different geopolitical blocks with yet unclear contours, this taking place exactly in the moment when the geopolitical rivalries are being reignited and the Black Sea region is losing its statute of an „uninteresting” and a putatively tamed re¬gion, becoming more and more a battlefield with an unpredictable outcome.

“Wine” Warfare at the Doorstep - Nothing New, just Business for Russia

“Wine” Warfare at the Doorstep - Nothing New, just Business for Russia

Author(s): Dan Amonte / Language(s): English

Keywords: Russian market for Moldovan Wine;

In vino veritas, the old saying goes, but not complacent for Russia! The famous aphorism ‘In Vino Veritas’ is clearly not for Ghenadie Onischenko, Russian Chief Sanitary Inspector, whose precious indications about wine quality gained an inglorious reputation last years. The Agency is all known for its harsh protectionist policies, applied to the states that are tied up on Russian market with their low-cost wines, vegetables or milk. Earlier, the above-mentioned agency has ‘saved’ Russian consu¬mers from the ‘peril’ of Belarusian milk (June 2009), and then in January 2010, it also rescued Russians from the US ‘chicken and pork meat’, which was considered potentially maleficent for the population, but politically acceptable af¬ter a new ‘package deal’ on US-Russia trade agreements.

Are the Moldovans who hold Romanian Passports a Devastating Threat for EU?

Are the Moldovans who hold Romanian Passports a Devastating Threat for EU?

Author(s): Leonid Litră / Language(s): English

Keywords: Moldova-EU migration; Shengen; Visa-free travel;

Moldova’s relations with the EU have advanced significantly over the past years. At the same time, in the European public space there are appearing many controversial discussions, some of them denigrating Republic of Moldova. These insinuations are mainly related to the acquisition of the Romanian citizenship and migration of Moldovans to EU. Even if Romania is not a special case in dealing with citizenship issues, the media attacks towards Romania and Moldova increased in the last months, being mostly observed in the European press. Their aim might be to slow down the rapprochement of Moldova to EU that seems to be a campaign orchestrated by some states, other than the EU states.

Foreign Assistance and Moldova`s Economic Development

Foreign Assistance and Moldova`s Economic Development

Author(s): Valentin Lozovanu,Viorel Gârbu / Language(s): English

Keywords: Moldova National Economy;

Although Moldova has benefited from Official Development Assistance (ODA) already for about 16-17 years the impact of it is doubtful. Moldova went from having the highest per-capita income in the Soviet Union to one of the poor countries in Europe.1 The present level of the country’s economic development incites various donor organizations to broaden even more their assistance programs2, but to what extent can ODA influence economic development in Moldova?

The misleading Eastern Alternative: Republic of Moldova and the Russia – Kazakhstan – Belarus Customs Union

The misleading Eastern Alternative: Republic of Moldova and the Russia – Kazakhstan – Belarus Customs Union

Author(s): Eduard Țugui / Language(s): English

Keywords: customs-union; Russian international trade; Moldova Foreign Trade;

The internal political instability and its collateral effects are marked in the Republic of Moldova from the perspective of foreign policy orientation, which on the geopolitical background are orbiting between the European integration and the integrationist projects from the former soviet space, articulated around Russia. Despite the greater openness of the European Union towards Moldova, the new Russian geopolitical project: Russia – Kazakhstan – Belarus Customs Union was rapidly seized by some Moldovan political parties in the campaign for the elections of parliament that will take place on November 28, 2010 and will be perhaps a real issue of foreign policy in negotiating the future government alliances. As for Moldova, this alternative does not represent only a simple tactical move but a strategic perspective, it is important to emphasize a series of economic indicators primordial in sustainable development which do not support the inclusion of Moldova in the Eurasian economic space.

Shedding Light on the ongoing EU-Moldova Trade Liberalisation

Shedding Light on the ongoing EU-Moldova Trade Liberalisation

Author(s): Evghenia Sleptsova / Language(s): English

Keywords: EU-Moldova trade;

In the run up to the 2004 enlargement, the European Union launched a European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), in order to create a “zone of prosperity, stability and security” along its borders. While several new neighbours, such as Moldova and Ukraine, were strongly insisting on a membership perspective, the ENP, with its prospect of political association and deeper economic integration, was a ‘carrot’ that the EU was ready to offer to these countries while it was not in a position to offer a membership.In 2009, under the Swedish presidency, the EU decided to strengthen the Eastern dimension of the ENP by launching the Eastern Partnership initiative (EaP), which would cover six CIS economies – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Incentives offered to these countries in return for their progress in democratisation and reforms included trade liberalisation, increased mobility through visa facilitation agreements and joining the common EU aviation market, as well as participation in various EU programs. Since 2008 with Ukraine and since January 2010 with Moldova the EU has been negotiating the Association Agreements (AA), which will replace the existing Partnership and Cooperation Agreements. The deep and comprehensive free trade agreement (DCFTA) – which is already being negotiated with Ukraine and soon to be negotiated with Moldova and Georgia – will constitute a key component of the AAs.

From a Basic Treaty to a Treaty regarding the Borders Regime

From a Basic Treaty to a Treaty regarding the Borders Regime

Author(s): Ion Tăbârţă / Language(s): English

Keywords: Moldova-Romania relations;

Along with the two decades, the matter of signing an inter-governmental agreement between Moldova and Romania provoked many emotional discussions, in Chisinau as well as in Bucharest. Lately, this subject was replaced with another one, regarding the signing of a border agreement. The protraction of these processes is due to linguistic and historical divergences that put into the shade the technical aspects of the Moldovan – Romanian governmental relation, which is highly politicized, in many cases in an exaggerated and useless way. Even if the pure technical aspects of a Moldovan – Romanian treaty must not had put major problems, the Romanian side did not accept the signing of the treaty because of some “details” that it cares about, and Chisinau, particularly during the communist government, tried to introduce in the document a set of political provisions with senseless historical connotations, unacceptable for Bucharest.The last discussions from Chisinau, related to the signing of the agreement regarding the border system emphasize a new important factor that blocks the ratification process – the internal rivalries inside The Alliance for European Integration and the alleged non-constitutional feature of the signing process.

Opportunities in Moldovan-German Relations

Opportunities in Moldovan-German Relations

Author(s): Leonid Litră,Dumitru Rusu / Language(s): English

Keywords: Moldova-Germany realtions;

Germany is a reliable partner of Moldova that constantly encourages the European integration demarche of Chisinau and supports in an operational way the reforms that refers, through others, to the education, democratization and security. The recent efforts of retaking the negotiations on transnistrian conflict in the frame of 5+2 negotiations format and the increasing efforts of finding a new solution for country reintegration involved the EU and especially Germany.

The Post-Electoral Bid of Geopolitical Visits in the Republic of Moldova

The Post-Electoral Bid of Geopolitical Visits in the Republic of Moldova

Author(s): Ion Tăbârţă / Language(s): English

Keywords: Moldova 2010 elections;

At the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Moldova from 28 November 2010, no one from the electoral competitors has gained the parliamentary majority necessary to form the government. The post-electoral negotiations have highlighted two possible governmental alliances – of center-left (Communist Party-Democratic Party) and center-right (Democratic Party-Liberal Democratic Party-Liberal Party) – the balance to one of them was to be inclined by the Democratic Party. Each of these two governing alliances, alongside purely internal political aspects, have also strong geopolitical connotations: the center-left being a pro-Russian one and the center-right a pro-western one. In turn, the involved geopolitical actors, each of them having its interests in Moldova, through their visits in Chisinau have attempted to determine Moldovan parliamentary parties to form a governing alliance in the Republic of Moldova that is convenient for them.

Does Moldova need Low-Cost Airlines?

Does Moldova need Low-Cost Airlines?

Author(s): Leonid Litră / Language(s): English

The old-new government was invested, and a continuation of its pro-European demarche was announced. The Governing Program declares EU integration as the main priority and the continuation of reforms is envisaged, especially in the previously committed areas. As in the previous Program, the government is keen to liberalize the aviation market and to join the European Common Aviation Area.

The Transnistrian Demilitarization in the Context of the Remodeling military-strategic Balance in Europe

The Transnistrian Demilitarization in the Context of the Remodeling military-strategic Balance in Europe

Author(s): Eduard Țugui / Language(s): English

Keywords: START-treaty; START III; nuclear disarmament;

The new Russian-American Treaty for nuclear disarmament START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) III, entered into force on 5 February 2011, together with the change of its ratification instruments between the heads of delega¬tions from the two countries. The Russian-American Agreement, signed on 8 April 2010 in Prague by B. Obama and D. Medvedev, modifies the parameters of international and continental security, as it aims a 30% reduction of nuclear-strategic arsenals and binds their nuclear offensive capabilities of American Missile Shield, which is expected to be installed in Eastern Europe. Signing and ratifying of a document that provides strategic nuclear arms reduction caused talks and negotiations about simultaneous reduction of the tactical nuclear arms and the control of the conventional arms in Europe. These are processes with direct impact on the security of the Republic of Moldova and therefore require an attitude, especially due to the fact that on the provisions of a (potential) new Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) depends largely the demilitarization of the Transnistrian region.

Poland’s Presidency - An Opportunity to gain Recognition of Moldova’s European Prospects

Poland’s Presidency - An Opportunity to gain Recognition of Moldova’s European Prospects

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

Keywords: Moldova EU Accession;

Since its signing in 1994 and its entering into force in 1998, the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, the legal framework of Moldova - European Union relations, has not changed even if, sub-sequently, in 2004, the EU launched the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) within which the EU-Moldova Action Plan and Eastern Partnership have been developed. Being a state with pro-Europe¬an aspirations, Moldova wants to amend its legal framework that would imply recognition of EU membership prospects. It is obvious that for this to occur, several conditions must be met. In addition to efforts to promote internal reforms, Moldova needs to have the support of European states in this process. The fact that Poland will hold the EU Council presi¬dency from 1 July 2011 could be a chance for Moldova in its effort to have its EU membership prospects acknowledged.

Visit of the American Vice-President Joe Biden in Moldova- Democratic Maneuver and Geopolitical Rhetoric

Visit of the American Vice-President Joe Biden in Moldova- Democratic Maneuver and Geopolitical Rhetoric

Author(s): Ion Tăbârţă / Language(s): English

Six-hour visit to Chisinau of the Vice President Joe Biden has caused a real “national euphoria” in Moldova. Chisinau was the culmination point of Biden’s journey, which began in Helsinki and continued with Moscow. Without diminishing the im¬portance and impact of American Vice President’s visit of the capitals of Finland and of Republic of Moldova, the real strategic stakes of Biden’s tour in Europe was his visit to Moscow.

Moldova’s Membership Fees: Between Efficiency and Simple Presence

Moldova’s Membership Fees: Between Efficiency and Simple Presence

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

Keywords: Moldova international position;

When the Republic of Moldova became an independent state in 1991, it had to make a considerable effort in order to become a member of a number of international organizations. The process of joining international organizations, started and supported initially by a pragmatic zeal along with the necessity to strengthen the independence status of the Republic of Moldova turned, subsequently, into a less clear exercise, at least for a part of society. However, the process keeps going on in a natural way, even if there are several opinions within the society, especially among the opposition political parties or within the civil society, questioning the importance of the Republic of Moldova membership status in different international organizations from the perspective of pecuniary issues or the national interest. Thus, the national interest, the relationship between benefits and costs would have to raise the problem of reevaluating the content of the Re¬public of Moldova international cooperation.

Economic Cooperation with the EU – A Prerequisite for Development of the Republic of Moldova

Economic Cooperation with the EU – A Prerequisite for Development of the Republic of Moldova

Author(s): Alexandru Fală / Language(s): English

The European Union is an important economic partner of Moldova. Economic relations between these two entities have had a good evolution. Only in 2009, under the impact of world economic crisis, intensity of economic flows between Moldova and the EU has decreased. On a medium-term, economic relations between the EU and Moldova would pass a new qualitative level, as a result of negotiating Free Trade Thorough Comprehensive Agreement. To be eligible for associated effects of signing the Agreement, Moldova will have to undertake a difficult mission - employment in a genuine process of economic reform.

Formal and Informal Aspects of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment

Formal and Informal Aspects of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment

Author(s): Ion Tăbârţă / Language(s): English

Keywords: Jackson-Vanik; Transnistria;

On 8 February 2011, U.S. Senator Richard Lugar has presented to the Commission for Foreign Affairs of the U.S. Senate a report containing several proposals to unblock the deadlock in negotiations on frozen conflict between Chisinau and Tiraspol. Among recommendations of Senator Lugar, submitted to administration of President Barack Obama, referring to increased support for current pro-western government efforts in Chisinau to solve Transnistrian problem, the report contains a proposal on removing commercial restrictions affecting Republic of Moldova ever since Soviet Union period. It’s Jackson-Vanik Amendment, by which one withdrawn the Soviet Union the possibility to benefit from most favored nation clause.

Moldova: Pioneering Justice and Home Sffairs Cooperation with the EU in the Eastern Partnership?

Moldova: Pioneering Justice and Home Sffairs Cooperation with the EU in the Eastern Partnership?

Author(s): Raül Hernández i Sagrera / Language(s): English

Keywords: Eastern Partnership;

Among the Eastern Partnership countries, Moldova has been coined as the most successful story. Indeed, the willingness of the Moldovan Government to come closer to the European Union is unarguable. This dynamism in EU-Moldova cooperation has been particularly relevant in the field of Justice and Home Affairs (JHA), to the extent that Brussels has chosen Chisinau as the laboratory where to launch new initiatives such as the Mobility Partnership or the Common Visa Application Centre. Yet, the picture of the current implementation of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan shows that there is still work to be done in order to achieve the adoption and implementation of the commitments set out in the Action Plan on Visa Liberalization. In order for Moldova to keep the label of ‘pioneer’ among the Eastern Partnership countries, the full implementation of the reforms must be carried out, not only vis-à-vis the Union, but also as model to be followed by the Southern Caucasus Countries in their increased migration cooperation with the EU.

National Security Strategy – A Delay of a delayed Reform

National Security Strategy – A Delay of a delayed Reform

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

National security is a major issue for each state as it is expressing its attitude towards its existence on the international arena. Consequently, in a matter of time, space and international environment, states develop general documents - strategies - defining concepts, objectives, and based on risks and benefits’ analysis, determine the means and methods that can be used to achieve intended goals. The content of these strategies varies by state, but all are designed to establish certain priorities and actions to ensure state security. Moldova is in the process of approval of the National Security Strategy (NSS) - vital document for national security that will set, on a medium term, the country’s policy in this area. NSS project is in the package with National Security Conception of the Republic of Moldova of 22.05.2008, it was only the second attempt to define the state concerns in the field of national security after the package of laws adopted in 1995 (the legislation related to armed forces is not considered).