Not long ago, the Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM) became an associate member of the Party of European Socialists (PES) and is the first of the Moldovan political parties tending to become part of the family of European parties that received this status. What does this mean for the PDM and the country that it governors together with other parties and for Moldova’s European perspective? The chairman of the PDM Marian Lupu develops the theme in an interview conducted by Valeriu Vasilica.
---

- Mister Marian Lupu, I read that the PDM became an associate member of the Party of European Socialists several days ago only on one social networking site. I didn’t see the party elaborating on this theme that I consider important not only for the PDM, but also for Moldova, which is said to have lost a part of the support of the European partners.

- It was our decision not to disseminate this event that is important for the party and for Moldova too, but I’m glad that you noted it. I confirm that we continue to follow the European integration course and that our European partners further provide support to our country and its government. It’s true that at this stage we have big problems in Moldova, which must be solved, but the gesture made by the European Socialists in relation to one of the ruling parties shows that we want and can solve them and will be assisted by the European partners in this.

The event took places at the Congress of the Party of European Socialists in Budapest last week. The PES Congress is held once in two years and a half and what happened in Budapest between June 11 and June 13 wasn’t a simple political meeting for us. At this Congress, the PDM improved its status by becoming an associate member of the Party of European Socialists. It is a victory of the PDM on the international arena and a proof that the PDM enjoys the confidence of the European partner parties. We are contented with what happened and I want to underline that this is good not only for the PDM, but also for the whole Moldova.

- Can you plainly explain what the Party of European Socialists is and why is it important for Europe?

- The Party of European Socialists is a continental political party that brings together Socialist, Social-Democratic and Labor parties from the European countries and countries situated in the vicinity of the European continent. It is the second party in Europe by the force of the component parties. There are 11 European countries, including France, Italy, Romania and Austria, which are governed by member parties of the PES. The European Commission, which is practically the government of the European Union, includes eight commissioners representing the PES, counting Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, which is the foreign affairs minister of the EU, Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs, and Commissioner for Regional Policy. Also, the President of the European Parliament is a PES member – German Social-Democrat Martin Schulz. When you have 11 Prime Ministers in the EU member states, are a government partner in six EU countries, have European commissioners in key posts and the President of the European Party is your representative , you are an influential party. This is the PES.

- Is it true that you are the first party in Moldova that obtained the status of associate member of a European party?

- Yes, we are the first party that moved up one step. Other pro-European parties, such as the Liberal Party and the Liberal Democratic Party, do not yet have such a status. But I look at this thing within a broader context, of Moldova’s rapprochement with the EU: we are now a country associated to the EU through the Association Agreement between Moldova and the EU. So, it was logical for the PDM to become an associate party of the Party of European Socialists.

It should be noted that three are three levels of representation of a national political party in the family of European parties. The first level is that of observer member, the second is that of associate member and the third and last is that of fully-fledged member. The status of fully-fledged member is intended for parties from the EU member states, while the status of associate member is usually, but not mandatorily designed for parties from countries that have close relations with the EU. The status of observer member is intended for the parties from the rest of the countries.

The fact that the PDM is now an associate member is a signal that our partners look at Moldova as they look at Serbia or Macedonia, which are already candidate states for accession to the EU. I hope other parties from Moldova will soon get a similar status in the European parties, where they are now only observer members.

- How did you build such close relations with the European Socialists? What did count more - the personal factor or the institutional relations, from party to party?

- The PDM started to develop the relations as an observer to the PES in 2010. Since then we built attentively our political relations and managed to make progress. Surely we banked also on the personal contacts, not only on institutional communication. For example, Sergei Stanishev, who was reelected the President of the PES last week, accepted our invitation to come to Chisinau last autumn and even attended the presentation of the PDM’s electoral program for the parliamentary elections. He was Prime Minister of Bulgaria, speaks English and Russian fluently and understands very well the importance of closer relations between the EU and the countries of Eastern Europe, including Moldova.

- What does this new status offer to the PDM?

- It is recognition of the PDM’s trustworthiness. Our Social-Democratic colleagues from Europe consider us a consistent European democratic party and appreciate our efforts in Parliament and in the local administration. Being an associate party, our say within the PES will gain weight. The PDM will be represented in the presidium of the PES, which meets seven times a year and discusses subjects of major importance for the EU and the states aspiring to join the EU, such as Moldova.

Another format of meeting, in which the PDM will take part, is the PES Leaders’ Conference, which is held three times a year and brings together heads of government and leaders of the PES member parties. Our interest is to use this increased influence for better pleading the cause of Moldova among the European Social-Democrats.

- You spoke about important positions held by the PES members in different European bodies. How can this thing help Moldova?  

- Moldova received and will further receive funds from the development partners. Most of these funds come from the EU. The PDM will make effort to convince influential persons from Europe that Moldova’s place is in the European Union. In this regard, Moldova must receive more support for development as, for instance, for energy projects, like the extension of the Iasi – Ungheni gas pipeline up to Chisinau. The European Commissioner for Energy, a Social-Democrat from Slovakia, can help us to implement this project swifter. As to regional development, the European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu, who represents a Romanian party that is a member of the PES, supports the implementation of the European Neighborhood Program for Agriculture and Rural Development that covers Moldova as well. It includes projects that will help the Moldovan farms and farmers.

- Is the Party of European Socialists the body in which Moldova can find more support for obtaining increased European financial assistance?

- One of the key goals of the PES is to build a more correct Europe. The Socialists are the partisans who support the poor European states, such as Moldova. As a general principle, the more influence the European Socialists’ view gains in the EU, the larger will be the funds from which Moldova will benefit for development.

-  As regards the rapprochement between Moldova and the EU, there are opinions that things have stagnated since the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU. What does the PES think about the EU’s relations with the countries from the neighborhood?

- Moldova is an associate of the EU and our efforts should be aimed at strengthening this status. The signing of the Association Agreement is a very important accomplishment. The Party of European Socialists expressed a clear position in one of the resolutions adopted at the Budapest Congress and this position is that the EU must remain open to all the European states that respect and support the European values. So, the PES is the promoter of the EU enlargement and Moldova should thus plead its cause among the European Social-Democrats. We must prepare for joining the EU and I assure you that we will be accepted when we are fully ready.

- One last question, Mister Lupu. What is the European Socialists’ opinion about the tense situation in our region, the conflict in Ukraine and the relationship with Russia?

- The Social-Democrats are the people of peace, while the PES is a party of peace. One of the documents adopted at the Budapest Congress is entitled “United for peace” and contains a call for regional cooperation, including with Russia, so that the armed conflict in Ukraine stopped for good. The situation must be improved based on the Russian-Ukrainian agreements of Minsk, mediated by the EU, while emphasis should be laid on regional cooperation by respecting the territorial integrity of each state.