Series:Moldova’s Foreign Policy Statewatch

Republic of Moldova-Romania: Streamlining Strategic Partnership for European Integration

Republic of Moldova-Romania: Streamlining Strategic Partnership for European Integration

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

After two decades of independence of the Republic of Moldova and development of Moldovan-Romanian diplomatic relations, the continental geopolitical dynamics requires a bilateral agenda rich in policies and projects targeting accommodation (from different positions) of both states to European architecture, and especially, European Integration of the Republic of Moldova. Signing the partnership for Moldova’s European Integration, which provides basic political framework of Moldovan-Romanian co-operation on European dimension, has raised the beginning of inter-governmental negotiations on signing an Action Plan that will detail this partnership. Far from comprising complexity of a Moldovan-Romanian co-operation, the study aims to highlight some sectoral projects, worth to be included in Action Plan and the accomplishment of which would move Moldo¬va closer to the EU.

How to avoid the EU Fatigue towards Moldova?

How to avoid the EU Fatigue towards Moldova?

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

Keywords: Moldova EU-Accession;

Two years ago, any political discussion in Moldova or between the Moldova’s Western partners could be summarized to one question: Moldova quo vadis? Moldova was really at the crossroads. But nowadays it is perceived as the main success story within the Eastern Partnership. Indeed, Moldova has had remarkable achievements in the foreign policy since the AIE (Alliance for European Integration) came to power. However, Moldova is not yet a success story but has the potential to become one. The greatest challenge facing Chisinau in terms of its leader status within the Eastern Partnership and of the EU trust is to meet the EU expectations by concrete reforms. What the Republic of Moldova has to offer so far look more like beginnings of reforms than durable and consolidated reforms. But when the gap between the foreign policy successes and the modest progresses in the internal changes becomes too large, Moldova’s image as a success story can burst like a soap bubble. This risk is not inevitable, but it still exists. Both Ukraine and Georgia have passed through this experience of bubble bursts.

The Lisbon Treaty Impact on Moldova

The Lisbon Treaty Impact on Moldova

Author(s): Nicolai Afanas / Language(s): English

Republic of Moldova is a state with trends of European integration, this being a clearly visible fact emphasized also in surveys carried out in the past 5-7 years, where no less than 60% of respondents declared that when conducting a referendum on this subject, they would choose to join EU. Political elites have largely the same trend. In the electoral and political parties’ programs European integration has a priority status and the last four governance programs have approached EU accession process as a strategic goal. As a result, social and political processes within EU are directly affecting the Republic of Moldova due to geographical proximity, intensity of the Moldova-EU relations, but also due to obvious interests that EU has in the region and which are accomplished through European policies and programs. A final legal reform with profound institutional and political consequences was the signing of Lisbon Treaty that entered into force on December 1, 2009. It gives EU legal personality and strengthens its negotiation capacity and position of global player on international arena. Also, this treaty enhances activity in promoting democracy and stability, especially in areas of geographical proximity.

Non-Discrimination through Harmonization

Non-Discrimination through Harmonization

Author(s): Marin Gurin / Language(s): English

Keywords: anti-discrimination law;

Lack of a proper legal framework in Moldova to prevent and fight against discrimination has triggered a series of feedback from external partners, but also within Moldovan society. Elaboration of a draft law in this direction, by the Government, and its transfer to the Parliament was like a catalyst which stimulated various stakeholders interested in this subject. Although, lawmakers do not have any obligations to review a draft law within certain maximum terms, taking into account the importance and resonance of this law it was plausible for it to be reviewed in more or less reasonable terms. However, along with the withdrawal of draft law by the Ministry of Justice, debates in Parliament have been postpo¬ned for an indefinite period.

Operationalization of U.S. Antimissile Shield in Europe and Security of the Republic of Moldova

Operationalization of U.S. Antimissile Shield in Europe and Security of the Republic of Moldova

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

Keywords: anti-missile shield; NATO and Russia;

Romanian-American agreement, announced on 3 May 2011, according to which Romania will host one of the elements of the U.S. antimissile shield, has revived discussions on continental military-strategic balance, this time on the defensive part of it. On the backdrop of Russia’s declared discontent, NATO-Russia Council has reunited immediately in Brussels al level of Head of Major State, during which Russia demanded legal guaran¬tees, especially from Americans, that U.S. antimissile shield will not target strategic nuclear forces of Russia. D. Medvedev also asked B. Obama for legal safeguards; during bilateral in France, which took place in the context of G8 summit in Deauville on 26-27 May. Geographical proximity and functional consequences of the new continental project will have repercussions on Moldova security and further demarches of Moldovan diplomacy require a prior analysis of the entire context.

Regionalization and European Integration in the Framework of Central European Free Trade Agreement

Regionalization and European Integration in the Framework of Central European Free Trade Agreement

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

Keywords: Eastern Partnership;

Eastern Partnership and the dynamics of Moldovan-European negotiations have somewhat overshadowed Balkan chain of Moldova European Integration and therefore, South-East European multilateral agreements to which Moldova is a part. Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) is a document that aims to create a free trade area complied with the standards of European common market, connecting Republic of Moldova to Western Balkans region, yet the only one with clear prospects of EU accession. Along with the opening of new markets, CEFTA represents a framework for preparation of European Integration and may be a backup alternative for Moldova in the process of EU accession, in case European neighborhood project fails.

What Prospects for Moldova’s Rapprochement with the EU?

What Prospects for Moldova’s Rapprochement with the EU?

Author(s): Octavian Rusu / Language(s): English

Keywords: Transnistria; Moldova EU-accession;

In the last few months an emerging pessimistic mood could be observed within Moldovan expert community concerning Moldova’s “success story” and its potential for rapprochement with the EU. Many experts now raise serious warnings over Moldova’s European perspectives focusing on the genuinely internal challenges (reforms) in the context of some external issues as the “Arab spring”. The first part of this paper assesses these assumptions underlining instead a series of arguments in support of the idea that Moldova will stand high on the EU radar screen. The argument is that external factors (others than the “Arab spring”) are more important than internal ones for Moldova’s European prospects. Thus, the second part will look at two perspectives that are only occasionally treated within the EaP expert community, as the question of the European project’s future and most importantly, the uni-multipolarisation within the EU. This second perspective has concrete implications for Moldova in the context of its efforts to reintegrate the Transnistrian separatist region.

Historical Politics in the Republic of Moldova – An unfulfilled Obsession

Historical Politics in the Republic of Moldova – An unfulfilled Obsession

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

Keywords: politics of history;

Historical politics that one talked about in case of Poland and Ukraine was a constant for the foreign policy of Moldova. Unlike two other countries previously mentioned, Moldova has failed to raise this kind of politics to the rank of state policy; it manifested rather erratic and intermittent, being the privilege of opposition and of a minority in governmental vaults. This inability to strongly affirm historical politics at official rank may be explained by the fact that unlike Ukraine and Poland which have always targeted Russia as the “pole of evil”, Moldova has always identified as “bad guys” – Russia and Romania. This balance of competing historic codes, settled in the collective mentality of Moldovan people, resulted in a quiet and retractile foreign policy that did not dare to make outspoken accusations to neighbors of Moldova.

Community of Democracies – Geopolitics of Democracy Institutionalization

Community of Democracies – Geopolitics of Democracy Institutionalization

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

On July 1, 2011, at the Ministerial Conference of Community of Democracies, held in Vilnius, Republic of Moldova and Tunisia were the core elements of the meeting. The two countries have been mentioned in speeches of all participants, being selected to benefit from the new U.S.-Polish initiative – Partnership of Democracies. This new initiative is intended as a mechanism to support democratic processes and institutional transfer of democracy in societies in transition and democratic consolidation.

Influence of Ethnic Minorities on State’s Foreign Policy

Influence of Ethnic Minorities on State’s Foreign Policy

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

The problem of Moldova’s geopolitical identity continues to be, after 20 years of independence, a topic still open for Moldovan society. This situation can be explained by the polarization of Moldovan society that often has been divided by geopolitical preferences of the citizens of this state. Polarization phenomenon was intentionally powered on different occasions by certain political parties invoking false threats to obtain political dividends from parliamentary elections. Attitude of ethnic minorities towards political issues and international institutions is an important element in influencing foreign policy of Moldova. In other words, in most cases, political parties articulate their policies and their implementation tools based on voters’ preferences.

How to Support Moldovan Diaspora in Italy? State’s Foreign Policy?

How to Support Moldovan Diaspora in Italy? State’s Foreign Policy?

Author(s): Vladislav Şaran / Language(s): English

Keywords: national diaspora; migration to Italy;

Activity of diplomatic missions of the Republic of Moldova is inevitable in the process of coordinating migration flows and maintaining links with Moldovan diaspora. Moldova Embassy and Consulate represent an essential bridge to homeland. In general, embassy serves Moldovan citizens legally residing in those countries, whereas Consulate in parallel meets the consular needs and can also get in touch with those who are staying illegally in that particular country. The Community of Moldovans in Italy is one of the few that relatively managed to consolidate in a whole, so we can talk about a Moldovan diaspora. The difficulties faced by our citizens in the peninsula lies in the lack of information about their status of immigrant, incognizance of their rights and authorities where they can address to improve their situation.

Republic of Moldova and the Future of Eastern Partnership: Warsaw Summit Perspectives

Republic of Moldova and the Future of Eastern Partnership: Warsaw Summit Perspectives

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

Keywords: Eastern Partnership;

Between 29 and 30 September Poland will host the second summit of Eastern Partnership, which will bring together leaders of 27 EU member states and of EU Eastern neighbors, European Council President, European Commission President, European Parliament President, EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, representatives of civil society and business environment. Plenary session will conclude with the adoption of a Joint Declaration. Also, within the summit there will be a conference on civil society, which will be held in Warsaw, as well as the first Business Forum of Eastern Partnership, which will be held in Sopot. Two years after the launch of Eastern Partnership, these events represent an opportunity for rethinking European Union commitments in eastern neighborhood, in terms of efficiency of this new European project and reformulation of clearer European perspectives for the states included in the partnership.

European Integration of the Republic of Moldova – Is it still a National Consensus?

European Integration of the Republic of Moldova – Is it still a National Consensus?

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

Recently, Vladimir Putin revealed his geopolitical plans for the future. They were somehow felt in his previous speeches but were not constant, however, now his intentions are clearly stated. Moreover, Russia’s geopolitical “appetite” has increased. If one has previously talked about Customs Union Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan and possibly Ukraine (if one succeeds with its inclusion), now one adds also other countries from Central Asia, going towards creation of the Eurasian Union.

Does Moldova have a Role to play in the Regional Context ?

Does Moldova have a Role to play in the Regional Context ?

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

Keywords: Moldova-Romania relations;

Moldova’s foreign policy is often seen as an ongoing effort of European integration. Such an approach is rather illusory because it neglects a number of actions that are not necessarily complied with the objectives of signing an association agreement with the EU - the Moldovan diplomacy on Transnistrian component, development of bilateral relations with Romania, frequent visits of Moldovan politicians to Moscow in the style of a vassal convened by the senior, etc. Under these circumstances, we may wonder whether the imperative of Moldova’s European integration is only an instrumental objective designed to solve, in a certain political context, the issue of Moldova’s state vulnerability, suspended fatidic between East and West or a conscious assumption of a role that cancels “banal” existence of the Republic of Moldova as a small and insignificant state.

The Reset of Moldovan-Ukrainian Relations after 20 Years: Nothing is Agreed until Everything is Agreed

The Reset of Moldovan-Ukrainian Relations after 20 Years: Nothing is Agreed until Everything is Agreed

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

Keywords: Moldova-Ukraine relations;

On March 10, 2012 Chisinau and Kyiv celebrated 20 years of Moldovan-Ukrainian relations. This anniversary is marked on a different note. Now, the Moldovan-Ukrainian relations reached an unprecedented intensity, even if, in fact, the problems remain the same as a few years ago, only that their settlement prospects are brighter. The still existing bilateral problems that need to be solved could be divided into four blocks: border demarcation, mutual property claims, modalities of the operations of the Novodnestrovsk hydroelectric power-station, and environmental issues.

The Immunity of the Republic of Moldova in the Context of EU Financial Crisis

The Immunity of the Republic of Moldova in the Context of EU Financial Crisis

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

Keywords: Financial Crisis;

Against a background of economic uncertainty worsening worldwide, the European Union has to play a significant role by working hard to lessen the effects that are caused by escalating sovereign debt crisis of certain Member States. At the same time, the Republic of Moldova, for which the EU is the main economic partner, has experienced good economic relations with the European countries - contrasting evolution with the dynamics in the EU.

Unsustainability of Negotiations on Transnistrian Conflict Settlement or Why Security Matters

Unsustainability of Negotiations on Transnistrian Conflict Settlement or Why Security Matters

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

Keywords: Moldova-Transnistria; frozen conflict;

The official resumption of the activity of the „Permanent conference on political issues in the negotiation process on Transnistrian conflict settlement” in the 5+2 format following the decision in Moscow on 22 September 2011, the Tiraspol administration reformatting and the successive meetings of the Republic of Moldova representatives with the new administration have opened the perspective for the Transnistrian conflict settlement. Formulated in a policy of “small steps” containing only technical sector issues, the negotiations between Chisinau and Tiraspol, and those in the extended format “5 +2” have not brought great changes in the eastern districts of Moldova and are proving to be increasingly inefficient. One year after the launch of negotiations whose agenda was for the time being “liberated” of political and security issues, the officials from the two banks of the Dniester accuse each other of militarization and it is becoming increasingly obvious that in the absence of serious discussions on political issues and the complex security system “small steps” lead nowhere.

The Neutrality and Sovereignty of Moldova in the Sight of Russia

The Neutrality and Sovereignty of Moldova in the Sight of Russia

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

Keywords: Moldova-Russia relations;

The recent statement by the representative of the Russian Federation in the negotiations on the Transnistrian issue, Sergey Gubarev, has brought an important topic on the agenda of the Republic of Moldova relations with Russia, and namely, neutrality. Moreover, the statement that “if Moldova loses its sovereignty or neutrality, the Russian Federation will return to the issue of Transnistria’s right to self-determination”1 involves new elements of Russian discourse in the Republic of Moldova. Thus, the issue of the Republic of Moldova neutrality is not the only one that «bothers» Russia, adding to neutrality the sovereignty as well. Both neutrality and sovereignty are extremely important issues for the Republic of Moldova, like for any other state, which deserve separate exhaustive consideration.

Strengthening bilateral relations between the Republic of Moldova and Turkey - towards a Free Trade Agreement and a Strategic Partnership

Strengthening bilateral relations between the Republic of Moldova and Turkey - towards a Free Trade Agreement and a Strategic Partnership

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

Keywords: Moldova-Turkey relations;

On 1-2 November, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Vlad Filat paid an official visit to Turkey aimed at strengthening the Moldovan-Turkish relations. Besides the official results of the event, the signing of several bilateral agreements and protocols between parties in different fields, two business forums were organized in Ankara and Istanbul, where there were discussed the prospects of applying the provisions of the Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and Turkey. Moreover, the Moldovan Prime Minister said that on the eve of the official visit of the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Chisinau in the spring of 2013, will be finalized the negotiations for signing the Free Trade Agreement and the Agreement on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Moldova and Turkey.

Parliamentary Elections in Ukraine (2012) and the European Integration Prospects of the Republic of Moldova

Parliamentary Elections in Ukraine (2012) and the European Integration Prospects of the Republic of Moldova

Author(s): Octavian Țîcu / Language(s): English

Keywords: Moldova-Ukraine relations;

The present territory of the Republic of Moldova was marked over time by Ukrainian policies and influences of various intensities which shaped, partly, the internal and external context of our country both in terms of identity and geopolitics. If we structure these influences, then the first one is forming over time, especially in the context of Russian imperial policies after 1812, of a large Ukrainian community on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, whose presence often conditioned the involvement of the Ukrainian factor in our history. The second was marked by the impact of Ukrainian policies, especially in the Soviet period, in shaping the current territorial and identity construction of the Republic of Moldova, particularly in the design of the MASSR in 1924, the MSSR in 1940 and the Soviet-style “Moldovenism” after 1940. A third dimension of these policies is related to the post-independence perception of Ukraine of the Moldovan statehood both in terms of territorial and border configuration and the influence it exerted in time over the Transnistrian conflict. To all this is added the influence of geographic and implicitly political positioning of Ukraine between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Moldova. And here we refer both to the evolution of Moldovan-Russian relations, and the determination of foreign policy guidelines of our country, particularly between the European integration and the Eurasian integration. All these influences have conferred a major role to the Ukrainian factor in determining Moldovan internal and external policies and the political situation in Ukraine had and will always have a formative impact on Chisinau policies. This prompted us to offer a perspective on how the current situation in Ukrainian politics can influence policies in Chisinau and in particular Moldova’s European course. The key factors in this context are particularly the parliamentary elections in 2012, but also, by extension, all changes in Ukraine after coming to power of Viktor Yanukovych in 2010. To understand these realities we will proceed with a brief historical review of the most important moments in relations between the two countries, and later, based on these assumptions to be able to highlight the current context and the likelihood of the future influences of the Ukrainian policies on the Republic of Moldova.