[Info-Prim Neo article from the series “2011: how it was and how it wasn’t”]
{“Moldova closer to the EU?”, in the opinion of Iurie Leanca, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration }
2011 was a year with visible actions on the external level. Moldova has managed to consolidate its image as a reliable partner and interlocutor which is able to engage in a serious dialogue and undertake actions, says Iurie Leanca, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.
“In 2011 we focused on four major goals in foreign policy. The first was to highlight Moldova's profile as a EU-aspirant country. The second objective was to deepen privileged bilateral relationships by means of consolidated or strategic partnerships. The third objective was to employ the Minister's competences to achieve a number of objectives concerning security, energy, Transnistrian security and others. The fourth objective was to promote national interests. In order to have a dynamic and effective foreign policy, you need instrumentarium. This instrumentarium are the capacities of the Ministry”, said Iurie Leanca.
According to the Minister, one of the most important events of the year was the Eastern Partnership Summit in Warsaw, which marked several important changes in the relationship between Moldova and the EU. “I would just mention the visa dialogue and the initialing of the Common Aviation Area Agreement.
On bilateral level we have a dynamic dialogue with our two neighbors. And whereas in 2010 we managed to settle some problems with Romania which had been artificially created by the previous government, this year I think we've managed to do the same thing with Ukraine by finding amicable solutions to some old cases”, said the Minister.
[The EU doesn't condition support to Moldova]
Asked how much tolerance the EU still has for Moldova considering our enduring political instability, the minister said that what happens in Moldova hasn't so far generated any bewilderment in Brussels.
“I have never heard that the support offered for Moldova's efforts, for the challenges that we face, would anyhow be conditioned on the election of the head of state. The starting point and the principal commitment is that everything we do must be done in a context of legality and that we shouldn't give reasons for doubt that we might run off this course which is very important for us and our partners”, stressed the Minister.
According to Iurie Leanca, for the Republic of Moldova it is extremely important to follow the example of other countries in its neighborhood, countries that achieved European integration, which brought about enormous benefits for the respective countries, for their people as well as for the region. “There are no alternatives to creating a viable state, a state that enjoys enormous support, financial in particular, to achieve a state of prosperity, than this course of European integration”, stated the Minister.
Iurie Leanca admitted that the EU is currently facing problems, but there are also sufficient arguments that the EU will be able to overcome this crisis and emerge more stronger, perhaps with tougher rules to regulate fiscal and economic policies.
[Moldova wants the EU to be a mediator in the Transnistrian settlement]
Concerning the role of the European Union in the negotiations on the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict, Iurie Leanca said that the EU's status in the 5+2 format, along the United States', should change from observer to mediator. “The EU will continue to use its tremendous potential to help us identify sustainable political solutions. There are also other objectives that we will try to achieve. Maybe now that the Transnistrian region has another leader there will be more openness towards the disposal of those (Russian) munitions that essentially have no military or any other value to be worth keeping there. And then, perhaps, we will be able to find a solution so that the presence of everything that is left over from the 14th Army would no longer be an obstacle for unblocking negotiations on a Euroatlantic scale”, stated the Foreign Minister.
[Iurie Leanca remains optimistic]
Asked whether he is still optimistic about the signing of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU until the end of 2012, Iurie Leanca said that the Ministry has sufficient capacities for critical analysis and for setting ambitious yet realistic time targets.
90 percent of success depends on Moldova's capacity to advance on the path or reforms and only 10 percent depends on certain states of mind or perceptions, thinks the Minister. “What is really important is to continue to do our homework and engage in active dialogue”.
[Irina Turcanu, Info-Prim Neo]
