IPN on April 25 published an OP-ED entitled “Natural disasters in Moldova and opportunities of relationship with EU”, written by politologist Dionis Cenusa. According to the author, the fighting of corruption and incompetence within the local and central public administration in Moldova should be treated with the same seriousness as the development of mechanisms for preventing the risks of natural disasters. The heavy snowfalls of end-April showed that Moldova has more weak points that are not known by the public and that have been overlooked by the authorities so far. During the next two years, according to the Association Agenda with the EU (2017-2019), the strengthening of cooperation with the EU could offer more benefits to Moldova based on the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. At the same time, with EU support, it is planned to assess and classify disaster risks, said Dionis Cenusa.

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A number of 898 territorial-administrative units of Moldova will benefit from financial support from the European Union for ensuring local economic development by creating jobs and supporting the cooperation between local public authorities and other local players in order to foster economic growth. In this regard, the European Union on April 25 launched the project “Mayors for Economic Growth” that has an initial budget of €5 million. Within this initiative, the European Union will offer the LPAs of Moldova €600,000 worth of grants to support the most innovative and sustainable economic recovery ideas applying to communities.

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IPN on April 26 published episode 2 of the analysis “What do Moldovans want and what can power offer them?”, signed by Valeriu Vasilica. The author of the analysis reminds episode 1 that was published on April 11, 2017 suggested that Moldovan society knows what it wants – “prosperity” – but does not know what and how to ask from the political class so as to achieve its goal and even encourages this sometimes to take action that rather distances it from the “prosperity objective”. Episode 2 tries to provide new arguments in this respect, which are also suggested by the latest polls, but this time as regards the attitude to oneself and to the state, the mass media and national values, including identity-related and international, European ones.

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The Open Media Hub has launched the first Call for Expression of Interest for Production Support, a scheme to enable TV and online video journalists in the European Neighborhood to create contents related to the European Union and their respective countries’ relations with the European Union. The scheme is now open for Georgia, Moldova, Libya and Tunisia and will be extended to more countries in a few months. The entire program aims at delivering greater public awareness of the actions and impact of the European Neighborhood Policy and strengthening domestic and local audience interest in EU issues. It also seeks to increase the amount of analytic, in-depth quality programming.

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The Federal Republic of Germany is a privileged political and economic partner of the Republic of Moldova among the Western European states, Moldova’s Ambassador in Berlin Oleg Serebrian stated in an interview for Radio Moldova, which was broadcast in the program “Objective to Europa”. The interview was given in connection with the celebration of 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Moldova and Germany on April 30. The diplomat also said that Germany supports Moldova’s national security and its rapprochement with Europe. “In the dialogue with Europe, Germany is undoubtedly a privileged partner that the Republic of Moldova should have,” he stated.

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The Cabinet on April 26 endorsed the framework regulations concerning the provision of host country support in emergencies. The regulations stipulate the methods of providing international assistance in dealing with the consequences of emergencies at the request of the Government of the Republic of Moldova and methods of providing emergency assistance to other countries by Moldova. These derive from the Moldova-EU Association Agreement and are based on the provisions of the bilateral agreements signed by Moldova and other states concerning cooperation in civil protection and overcoming of consequences of emergencies.

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The state-run information resources center “Registru” will be reorganized by transformation into the Public Services Agency with the Government acting as a founder. However, the given duty was delegated to the State Chancellery. The Public Services Agency will absorb the State Registration Chamber, the state-owned enterprise “Cadastru”, which is managed by the Ministry of Justice, and the Civil Status Service, which is managed by the Ministry of Economy. The reorganization forms part of the public administration reform and meets the commitments undertaken by Moldova through the Association Agreement with the EU. According to Prime Minister Pavel Filip, the Public Services Agency will help increase the institutional capacities so that the population is provided with modern and high-quality services.

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The Government on April 26 made a series of changes to the annexes to its decision concerning the approval of the structure, personnel and allowances of the institutions of the diplomatic service of the Republic of Moldova of March 16, 2010. These are aimed at stimulating the activity of the commercial-economic services of Moldova’s embassies in Germany and Poland. The move was determined by the necessity of strengthening the cooperation platforms and realizing the commercial-economic and investment potential of the given countries, including in the context of the implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement that forms part of the Association Agreement with the EU.

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The Republic of Moldova obtained a visa-free regime with the EU on April 28, 2014. Since then, over 982,000 Moldovans who possess biometric passports have left the country through crossing points situated at the border with Romania and through the Chisinau International Airport. Most of the Moldovans chose to cross the border through the Leuseni – Albita customs post, the border police registering over 383,000 people. This customs post is followed by the Chisinau International Airport through which over 176,000 holders of biometric passports flied to the EU. Most of those who chose to travel to the EU are aged between 26 and 35.

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The production of renewable energy in the Republic of Moldova increased from 4% of the energy production in 2010 to almost 15% in 2017. The rise is mainly due to the financial support provided by the EU through the Energy and Biomass Project that is to be completed this year. In a press club meeting, Minister of Economy Octavian Calmac said 200 million lei will be allocated from the state budget next year for implementing energy efficiency projects. This is by 100 million lei more than this year. The authorities will increase investments in energy efficiency projects because the European financing offered during the last seven years showed these bring many advantages to the national economy.

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The implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) contributed to an increase in Moldova’s exports to the EU, up to 65% of total exports. With the technical support of the EU, new factories were opened in Moldova and foreign investors were attracted to the country. The results achieved in the implementation of the DCFTA were made public in a conference on April 28. Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola said the DCFTA is a common agreement as this creates a common market in accordance with the European standards. During three years, emphasis has been placed on the harmonization of the legislation and on the implementation of the best EU practices in Moldova. “Some say exports rose because other markets were closed, but this is false. The EU market already became a primary market. It should be noted that the exports of agricultural products to the EU and of textiles, car parts and others increased during the implementation of the DCFTA,” stated Pirkka Tapiola. The DCFTA has been implemented during 41 months (2013-2017) with a budget of €2.8 million.

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The Republic of Moldova is harmonizing its ground handling services market with the European norms. Regulations to this effect were approved by the Government. The ground handling services are essential for the proper functioning of air transport infrastructure. These include the control, aircraft technical assistance, passenger and baggage, catering, transport and other services. These together contribute to ensuring the efficient activity of airports and can reduce costs in air transport. The regulations were worked out in accordance with the plan for harmonizing the national legislation with the EU’s. The Common Aviation Area Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union and its Member States was signed on June 26, 2012.

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.