To what extent does the Government of Moldova keep its ability to continue the European course, while the political class – to unite around this goal? Should Chisinau file an application for joining the EU at the coming Riga Summit and could the ‘Ukraine scenario’ repeat in the case of Moldova and Latvia? These and other questions were answered by Latvian Minister for Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics, who had been in Chisinau on a visit last week, within an interview conducted by Valeriu Vasilica.
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- Judging by the press release about your visit to Chisinau, four main categories of problems hold now interest for Latvia: 1. The relations between the EU and Moldova before the Eastern Partnership Summit of Riga; 2. The internal political situation in Moldova; 3. The bilateral cooperation, and 4. The situation in the region. Out of these, Moldova’s population is mainly concerned about the internal situation that influences directly the life of every person, and about the country’s foreign relations too. How would you appraise the political, economic and social situation in our country? In particular, what is your opinion about the minority format of the government coalition in terms of its ability and political will to continue the reforms and the European integration process?

- You correctly formulated the major goals of this visit because in the meetings with the prime minister, the minister of foreign affairs and the leaders of the government coalition and of the Party of Communists, which supports them, I wanted to understand how serious the planning of the implementation of the reforms stipulated in the government program is for the administration. A week ago, we met for the purpose in Brussels, in the format “Moldova’s Friends”, and in the first meeting of the EU – Moldova Association Council.

I think what I heard then and now inspires hope that there is will to work in the most important directions, first of all to do the justice sector reform, fight corruption and ensure stability in the financial-banking sector. Surely we also discussed the possibility of carrying out the program in the conditions of a minority government. I appreciate this state of spirit and we will be expecting results, but we should never forget that sometimes the minority governments can do more than the majority ones because sometimes the minority government has to look for supporters among the members of the opposition, while other times things can develop even better. We have such experience in Latvia as there were minority governments in our country, but they existed not for a very long time. However, they managed to do many good things. I see the current state of spirit and I see that there are ideas for ensuring the path to reforms, but now a lot depends on the real deeds. The Party of Communists assured me that they promote their own political principles and goals, but they also support the country’s basic course now.

- Currently, Moldovan society is worried about the general state in the country’s economic and financial system, especially about the scandal concerning the disappearance of almost €1 billion from Moldova’s banks. To what extent are the European Union and Latvia, which represents it now, concerned about this and can this thing influence the future relations between the EU and Moldova?

- This thing indeed worries us and the EU because this is a matter related to the state’s financial stability.

- By the way, you didn’t meet with the leaders of another pro-European parliamentary party – the Liberal Party. It is considered that the participation of this party in the government alliance would imprint more stability on the pro-European process in Moldova and that such an alliance is still possible in the not too distant future. 

- I didn’t have meetings with the leaders of the other pro-European parliamentary party because it was a short visit with a tight schedule, but in other circumstances I would surely have found time. That’s why I do not want this to be interpreted as a signal. First of all, I wanted to meet with the leaders of the coalition and of the party that supports it given that it is about the Government’s plans, the support for the minority Government in Parliament, and I think that we have good reasons to consider that the discussions were useful.

- How conclusive and encouraging were these meetings as regards the possibility of the political class uniting around the pro-European idea and the prospects of implementing it in Moldova, by the model of the Baltic States, for example. I ask this because the Party of Communists during the last few years didn’t show great sympathy with the EU and Moldova’s European course.

- The strengthening of the political class is a matter related to your internal policy. Neither we nor the EU or other countries have the right to interfere in the internal political processes. But we all should understand that now the geopolitical situation is considerably different from the one that existed two years ago, before the events in Ukraine, before the Maidan, before Donbas and Crimea. I certainly discussed this with the leaders of the parties with whom I met and I saw that they realize this because we must not look at what was there in the past, but should look at the future.

- Judging by what was said, Latvia would recommend Moldova to return to the currently less uttered idea that was earlier widely disseminated – about the preparation and necessity of submitting an application to obtain the state of candidate for accession to the EU at the EaP Riga Summit? What would be the EU’s reaction if such an application was yet filed?

- The Riga Summit will be held in absolutely new geopolitical conditions. The EU is considering what strategy to adopt in relation to Russia. It’s clear that the relations that existed will no longer exist and this issue is directly related to the Eastern Partnership. I consider that the Riga Summit must focus first of all on the fact that we, the EU, offer a clear political signal that the Eastern Partnership continues. Secondly, we offer a plan of support for the countries that signed the Association Agreement, including Moldova. Thirdly, we must state it clearly that the Association Agreement is not the last stage in our relations with Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine.

I also do not think that the EU is now ready to continue the enlargement policy. First of all, the given states are not yet ready themselves. They have to do many reforms, firstly for the benefit of their own people. We should focus on what we have yet to do, but shouldn’t also close the doors. There is Article 49 of the Agreement of the EU, which provides that any country from Europe can file an application, but it will be accepted into the EU when it is ready. I do not think it is right to say now that the application should be submitted and then you will have to wait for a very long time. We should better focus on the problems that should be solved for implementing the Association Agreement and the Free Trade Agreement.

We understand that there are different opinions in the EU. That’s why the Riga Summit will not be a breakthrough summit, but a summit where we will concentrate our attention on the support for the EaP member states, especially for those that do real reforms. We, for our part, will make everything possible for the doors not to close. For them to remain open, we must work out a plan to continue to move on after the Association Agreement. Afterward, we will see how things develop.

- Which of Moldova’s expectations can become real? The European Integration Index for EaP countries published recently shows that Moldova can lose its position of leader within the Eastern Partnership owing to problems related to the country’s reformation, including in the financial-banking sector, corruption combating, the legal system and other areas.

- We regard Moldova as a country that is among the ‘heavyweights’ of the Eastern Partnership and we should help you. But you must work with us for strengthening this status. On the path of European integration, we are ready to help Moldova implement the Association Agreement, including by providing expertise and, surely, financial assistance. If need be, we will have to further review our relations in the energy sector. I also think that the EU will contribute to reintegrating Transnistria by its instruments. This process will not last for a year, two or five, but I think there are good preconditions and we will be able to help you.

In general, I would like progress to be made in the discussions about the abolition of the visa requirements for Ukraine and Georgia. In principle, the EaP Summit must help strengthen the countries that promote reforms and we should not forget that it will take place in completely dissimilar conditions.

- Can Russia’s ‘Ukraine scenario’ implemented in Crimea and the eastern regions of the neighboring state repeat in Moldova, with experts calling it ‘Transnistrization of Ukraine”?

- In the history of international politics, there is no single scenario for everyone. I think we examined well, together with my interlocutors, the matter of Moldova’s security and in this case a lot depends on the Government’s orientation and on the information campaign centering on the European integration process in relation to Gagauzia and Transnistria. Now a lot depends on the way in which the Government acts. We, for our part, will be able to help you with advice, money, but the responsibility is borne by the country itself.

- By the way, how real is this danger in relation to Latvia and other former Soviet Baltic countries? From time to time, such ideas appear in the public sphere.

- As regards the Ukrainian scenario in Latvia, I would like to remind that we are members of the EU and NATO. Therefore, I believe in no scenario and in military threats. We already fortified our borders by the presence of the NATO troops. Surely we should not exclude challenges and possibilities of an information or propagandistic war. We do not yet give way to hysteria. We seriously work with our partners in order to diminish such risks.

- Can the current visit be considered ‘an act of measuring the temperature of the bilateral relations’?

- Our relations are very cordial at political level and the temperature is favorable for such a state of affairs.

- Which aspect of Latvia’s experience in its way to modernization and overcoming of problems that were once common can be especially useful to Moldova and how can Latvia and the Latvian people provide additional practical support? 

- We already work on a number of very practical matters. I mean the promotion of reforms in justice and regional development. Now we are considering the areas where we can help you implement the Free Trade Agreement, including by providing expertise and assistance in meeting the standards, etc. Last year, for example, the cooperation between the border services developed successfully and our border guards trained your border guards to perform operations and particular practical activities. During the current visit, we discussed some of your obligations within the Association Agreement given that Moldova is close to the Danube and this means that it is a maritime country, even if this is unbelievable, and you have a port and exit to the Black Sea. We will continue to study these matters as we possess the expertise you need. You should only tell us. We maintain a very good dialog and are always looking for possibilities to help you.