IPN on August 21 published an OP-ED article entitled “The end of Pirkka Tapiola’s tenure, the pro-Russian president and the pro-European oligarch” that was written by politologist Dionis Cenusa. According to the author, the new head of the EU Delegation takes office in a troubled political context, given the forced adoption of the mixed voting system by PDM. This political decision might have multiple negative consequences for the EU’s positions in Moldova, including for the beginning of Peter Michalko’s tenure. Michalko’s immediate task will be to assess the implementation of the “political pre-conditions” on which depends whether the EU will offer macro-financial assistance to Moldova or not. The Slovak diplomat will have to deal with the old challenges, which are far from being resolved, and to also cope with the new prefigured challenges. In the long term, Michalko will have to strike a balance between maintaining a critical stance towards the quality of reforms implemented by the government and avoiding the politicization of his discourse or falling into political partisanship.

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In an interview with IPN on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of the declaration of Moldova’s independence, ex-President of Moldova Vladimir Voronin, chairman of the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova, said he certainly sees Moldova’s future as a European future, with the country being independent and sovereign and this should not be taken to mean that Moldova is against one country or another. Moldova proved that it can follow two ways simultaneously: to the EU and to the Customs Union. “We demonstrated that we can follow both ways, including to our European partners at the highest level. There were official visits and meetings with President Bush, with Angela Merkel and with other leaders, because they too have relations with these countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States. And Vladimir Putin also understood me, as I told him: you too have this special commission Russia-EU. Why can’t we be in the CIS together with you and with the EU at the same time?” said the Communist leader.

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Prime Minister Pavel Filip said he was, is and will remain an active and engaged supporter of the return to Europe. “We do not rediscover the wheel. We should only be able to determine where our place is according to the used and shared values and where there is an authentic interest for Moldova to succeed,” the Premier states in an interview with IPN on the occasion of 26 years of independence. “The people want what they always wanted, legitimately: higher incomes, jobs, better hospitals and better equipped schools with sufficient and well-trained teachers. In general, they want a state that would solve their problems, but would not create new problems. During the last few years, as we know very well, many Moldovans left the country because they lost hope that everyone has a chance and can have a decent life near the family at home, in Moldova. There is yet a big fear of the future. The people do not trust each other and optimism is absent,” stated Pavel Filip.

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In an IPN Series of local presences dedicated to the Independence Day, Valentin Gutan, mayor of Cricova town, said Moldova is hardly in that place where it aspired to be when it started its journey as an independent country twenty-six years ago, especially compared to other former Soviet republics, especially the Baltic countries. He noted it is sad that people’s living standards are rather low, and salaries and pensions don’t cover the basic needs. He thinks we should blame in part the superficial attitude that the various governments have had towards people’s concerns since independence. However, part of the blame is also with the citizens, who have failed to react firmly to everything that happens in the country. Because of these circumstances, the greatest part of the intellectuals saw no other choice but to leave abroad to make a living, which left a negative imprint on the growth prospects of the country. The Cricova mayor thinks the European model is “acceptable” for Moldova as a nation and a state. “This is confirmed in practice by our compatriots who have migrated to numerous European countries, where living standards are much higher, the way of thinking is freer and more democratic, and people are not indifferent to what happens in their countries,” stated Valentin Gutan.

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In an IPN Series of local presences dedicated to the Independence Day, mayor of Budesti commune of Chisinau municipality since1995 Nina Costiuc said Moldova is moving slowly but surely towards reform and democracy, . The mayor noted she continues to count on her community, on their desire to change Budesti for the better and offer their children a happy future, on their aspiration to see the country integrated into the European Union. Despite the 1992 war and geopolitical interests, Moldova has its own path and its destiny. “Moldova’s chance of succeeding as a nation is to further fight for its integrity and sovereignty, to cherish its national values and traditions, promote a friendly policy towards both the East and West, and find a peaceful way to unify the country,” said Nina Costiuc.

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Prime Minister Pavel Filip thanked Pirkka Tapiola, the outgoing Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova, for the support and dedication showed to Moldova, and especially for its people, over his four-year term. This period, according to the Premier, was a tumultuous one, with ups and downs, a period when Moldova faced a political, a banking and an economic crisis, but also had notable achievements like the visa-free regime with the EU and the signing of the Association Agreement. “We greatly appreciate the fact that the European Union continued to stand by Moldova’s side, even after certain disappointing events in 2015. We appreciate that you didn’t abandon us and were there for us. Our goal is to ensure better living standards and prosperity for the people, and to ensure our country’s integration into the EU,” stated Pavel Filip.

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Pirkka Tapiola, EU Ambassador in Chisinau, thinks that the greatest success in the relations between the EU and Moldova during his tenure has been the increased openness and honesty. The liberalization of the visa regime and the Association Agreement are also big achievements. On the other hand, the diplomat is sad that reforms didn’t advance as much as they could have and that such a big bank fraud occurred. The opinions have been shared during a press club. The official admitted that during his tenure the EU had to take some tough decisions regarding the financial assistance for Moldova. The budgetary support regime has given way to project-based assistance. Speaking about the reform process, he noted that last year’s idea to have a roadmap for reforms was a great one. However, the focus needs to move from quantity to quality, to the implementation of reforms, the results of which should be felt by the people.

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On the on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of the declaration of Moldova’s independence, the veterans of the Nistru war of 1992 were awarded by the Ministry of the Interior in respect for the sacrifices made by them. Minister of the Interior Alexandru Jizdan said the national holidays bring together and unite the Moldovans as citizens and as a nation that 26 years ago chose the democracy, freedom and independence. President of the Union of War Veterans of Chisinau municipality Vasile Iakubov said that August 27 is more than an independence holiday. It is the day when we go back in time to remember the wish of the people that gained the independence.

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IPN on August 25 published a summary of the Symbols of Independence in its view. Among the symbols are the Great National Assembly of August 27, 1991 and the Declaration of Independence, Presidents of the Republic of Moldova, armed conflict on the Nistru of March 2, 1992, Moldova’s acceptance into the UN, protests against governments during 25 years, admission to the Commonwealth of Independent States on April 26, 1994, Moldova’s entry into the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly on July 13, 1995, with the Republic of Moldova being the first post-Soviet state to do this and becoming the 36th member state, adoption of the song “Our language” as the national anthem of the Republic of Moldova. This was written by Alexei Mateevici, the music was composed by Alexandru Cristea and the song was arranged by Valentin Danga. Among other symbols are the official language, national currency, which is the Moldovan leu, decision of the Istanbul OSCE Summit of November 22, 1999, when Russian Federation, as the successor of the Soviet Union, was obliged to pull out its troops that were deployed in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova in the Soviet period, until January 1, 2003, the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova, which was adopted by Parliament on July 29, 1994 as the main political-legal instrument that enshrined the separation from the totalitarian regime, offering the country a new constitutional order, liberalization of the visa regime with EU on April 28, 2014, Association Agreement between Moldova and the European Union that was signed on June 27, 2014 and took effect on a temporary basis on September 1, 2014 and definitively on July 1, 2016, migration and massive remittances, Russia’s bans, “Theft of the century”, arrests among “high-ranking officials” and the electoral system change.

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The Government on August 23 approved a draft law to ratify the Moldova-Germany Social Security Agreement, which was signed on 12 January 2017 in Chisinau. The Agreement was signed under Article 12 of the European Social Charter. It will ensure a framework of social security guarantees for the migrants working or residing in the territory of either party. The Agreement applies to employees, self-employed workers, posted workers and the diplomatic corps. Moldova has bilateral social security agreements signed with 13 states, including 12 EU member countries and Turkey. 11 are successfully implemented.

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The project Technical Assistance for the Implementation of the EU - Republic of Moldova Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), launched in 2015, has been completed. On this occasion, Minister of Economy and Deputy PM Octavian Calmic told a press conference that the project had a concrete positive impact on Moldovan economy and the private sector. The official said that one of the priorities of the project was the harmonization of national legislation with European standards, in fields like market supervision and the protection of consumers. About 3 000 EU standards have been adapted, replacing Soviet-era GOST standards. Pirkka Tapiola, Head of the EU Delegation, noted this was the last event he would attend as EU Ambassador in Moldova. “It’s good to conclude my tenure with a positive message. These and the other results of the project are about improving the life of the people, increasing their level of knowledge and competence”, said the diplomat.

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Unlike European development partners, which offer financial assistance for development in social and economic fields, the Russian Federation is supporting certain Moldovan political forces covertly. The topic was discussed during the “Sfatul Tarii” talk show on 10TV. “According to official statistics, Russia and Turkey aren’t among the donors. But it doesn’t mean that at least Russia isn’t financially, politically and militarily backing some political forces in Moldova”, argued security expert Rosian Vasiloi. He thinks that the Kremlin is assisting and supporting separatism in Moldova, political forces like the Party of Socialists and the so-called authorities from the Transnistrian region. He explained that there are foundations that organize meetings, seminars, roundtables to glorify the Russian world and promote the Eurasian Union.

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The village of Serpeni, Anenii Noi district, will soon have a modern sports facility. The building that will be put into operation by the end of this year has training rooms for children and adults and will host local and regional competitions with the participation of athletes from both banks of Nistru River. The construction of the facility has been abandoned for a long time - about 20 years. The value of the European Union investment is €180,164, and was provided under the “Support to Confidence Building Measures” Program, implemented by the UNDP. The decision to attract investments for the sports facility was taken after a public consultation with all residents of the village. The construction of the sports facility in Serpeni is one of the over 80 infrastructure objects renovated through the European Union funded “Support to Confidence Building Measures” Program, implemented by UNDP Moldova.

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The summary of news from the IPN series “European Integration” is produced with support from the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany and can be further disseminated on condition that the source is indicated.