The EU and Russia have different styles in the relations with the partner countries, such as Moldova. The European Union works with the governments and supports projects with long-term system benefits, while Russia promises definite short-term benefits such as cheaper gas or money offered directly to residents of the Transnistrian region. Thus, the people feel the benefits of coming closer to the EU indirectly, while Russia’s contribution is seen immediately, said the authors of the report “Reward according to Deed”, produced within the EU-Moldova Think Tank Dialogue Project. The report was presented in a news conference at IPN.
Director of the Romanian Center for European Policies Cristian Ghinea, one of the authors of the report, said that Moldova receives substantial financing from the EU, equal to about 5% of the country’s GDP. But this money is used to create new institutions or adopt laws and this support is not directly felt by the population. At the same time, Russia makes visible financial contributions to the Transnistrian population, providing food and bonuses to pensions and building thus a brand of presents from ‘mother Russia’.
According to the authors, before the Vilnius Summit, where Moldova initialed the Association Agreement with the EU, Russia offered Chisinau a sample of what would follow if it continues the road to the EU. It is the ban imposed on the imports of Moldovan wine. A part of the imports of fruit were also blocked and hidden threats were made as regards the halt in the supply of gas.
Executive director of the Foreign Policy Association Victor Chirila, another author of the report, said that over the next six months Moldova can witness greater pressure and blackmail on behalf of Russia, which does not want the EaP member states to associate themselves with the EU. “Regardless of Moldovan politicians’ statements about the preservation of good relations with Russia, the pressure will rise owing to Moldova’s choice. The Moldovan politicians must calculate the statements they make as they can exacerbate the Russians’ reaction and I don’t think that this is to Moldova’s benefit,” he stated.
The authors of the report also said that Moldova should not be the hostage of the Transnistrian region, while Europeans prospects to the Moldovans mustn’t be provided on condition that the Transnistrian conflict be solved as, in such a case, the control will be given to Tiraspol, which is against the integration into the EU. The experts consider that the granting of the integration prospect to Moldova would help quicker resolve the dispute.
The EU-Moldova Think Tank Dialogue Project is financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania through the Development Assistance Unit, in cooperation with UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre. The first report will be presented in Brussels on December 11. It was produced by the Romanian Center for European Policies, the European Policy Center and the Foreign Policy Association.
