IPN on May 8 published an OP-ED entitled “Halt in EU funding versus uninominal voting system in Moldova”, signed by politologist Dionis Cenusa. According to Cenusa, the opposition’s incapacity to ensure peaceful protests, to correctly communicate at home and with all the Western partners and the mobilization of a broader part of society will enable the government led by the Democrats and the parliamentary opposition consisting of Socialists to introduce the uninominal voting system in one form or another.

xxx

Prime Minister Pavel Filip during May 8-10 paid a visit to the Czech Republic at the invitation of his Czech counterpart Bohuslav Sobotka. During the visit, there was signed a memorandum of understanding between the Republic of Moldova and the Czech Republic on cooperation in energy efficiency and other related sectors. The officials considered possibilities of stimulating bilateral trade and the export of wine products, the Czech Republic being one of the target markets for Moldovan winemakers. The Moldovan Premier also had a meeting with the Speaker of the Senate of Czech Parliament Milan Štěch with whom he discussed the strengthening of bilateral dialogue and identification of new areas of cooperation. Pavel Filip welcomed the Czech Republic’s visionary approach within the Visegrad Group to the countries of the Eastern Partnership so that these are offered the perspective of European integration. La For his part, Milan Štěch reiterated the readiness of the Czech Republic to continue to assist the Republic of Moldova in doing the reforms agreed in accordance with the European agenda.

xxx

For the first time the Republic of Moldova on May 9 celebrated officially Victory Day and Europe Day simultaneously. On this occasion, the EU Delegation to Moldova, political parties, state institutions and nongovernmental organizations carried out a number of activities.

xxx

In several months, the Broadcasting Coordination Council will be able to monitor the sound of advertisements and to impose fines if it identifies discrepancies between the sound levels of adverts and of media programs. This will be possible owing to the provision by the European Union of special equipment to the Council. Such equipment was needed given the repeated approaches made to the Council, including by MPs, about the very big discrepancy in the sound levels of advertisements on some of the TV channels. 

xxx

The European Commission approved financing for four infrastructure projects included in the Operational Program Romania – Republic Moldova 2014 – 2020. In the immediate period, the project leaders and their partners will prepare the applications and other necessary documents for obtaining financing. By the end of this year, the package is to be transmitted to the European Commission for approval. The implementation of the projects will be initiated in the first part of 2018. A sum of €10 million will be allocated for regional cooperation in the prevention and combating of Romania-Moldova transfrontier crime. A similar amount will be provided for the Romania-Moldova transfrontier cooperation area, which envisions the improvement of the operational infrastructure of the Mobile, Emergency, Reanimation and Extrication Service (SMURD), the professional training level and maintaining of intervention capacities of the personnel in emergencies, while the project to rehabilitate and modernize the customs posts on the border between Romania and Moldova, especially the Albita – Leuseni, Sculeni – Sculeni and Giurgiulesti – Giurgiulesti posts, will also get financing of €10 million.

xxx

Managers of small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the agrifood and food products processing sector during three days will be taught by European experts how to export to the European Union. The training seminars will be held at the SME Academy that was launched by the Chamber of Trade and Industry in cooperation with the EU-funded East Invest 2 Project. The training at the SME Academy centered on subjects related to the EU regulations and technical standards, marketing and participation by companies in international fairs and exhibitions. The seminars will be taught by specialists of the EU and Eastern Partnership.

xxx

IPN News Agency and Radio Moldova on May 10 staged a public debate entitled “May 9 – holiday that unites and divides”. The celebration of two holidays – Victory Day and Europe Day - simultaneously on May 9 was to become a reconciliation idea, but for now seems to have the opposite effect. This is most probably due to the fact that both of the holidays are rather political in character, being organized or even used by political parties for particular purposes. The participants in the debate said Europe, despite the wars it witnessed in its history, does not forget its past and managed to become an attractive area for the citizens of all the states, not only those from the European continent. Thus, the EU represents a complex of values, high living standards for the people, while the three branches of government – legislative, executive and judicial – fully work there. The best European practices should be brought to the Republic of Moldova.

xxx

The opinions about the change in the electoral system are differing. Minister of Justice Vladimir Cebotari said that by changing the electoral system, the Democratic Party will realize the wish of at least 850,000 people with the right to vote. At the same time, Communist MP Elena Bodnarenko considers the number of signatories invoked by the Democrats is not real. According to minster Cebotari, the European partners who impose conditions as to the replacement of the electoral system in the Republic of Moldova defend the interests of Moldovan politicians who are close to them. He reminded that a number of 74 MPs of the 82 attending voted for the mixed-member electoral system in the first reading and this shows that a broad consensus was reached. For her part, Elena Bodnarenko said the Democrats mislead when they say that 850,000 Moldovans voted for the uninominal voting system. She considers the foreign partners realize what is going on in the Republic of Moldova, that this became a captured state with a sick democracy.

xxx

The leader of the Party “Action and Solidarity” (PAS) Maia Sandu considers the bill on the mixed-member electoral system is a bargain struck by the chairman of the Democratic Party Vlad Plahotniuc and President Igor Dodon for keeping power after the next legislative elections. Speaking about her meeting with experts of the Venice Commission in Chisinau, the PAS leader said these put her a number of questions about the political situation, party funding, context of the electoral system and the state of play in the Republic of Moldova. Constitutional law expert Vitali Catana said the Venice Commission experts are to assess the democratic character of the bill on the modification of the electoral system and to determine if its provisions meet the European norms. 

xxx

MEP Petras Auštrevičius, rapporteur for Moldova on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, said the European Parliament attentively follows the political situation in the Republic of Moldova, including the most recent decisions by the ruling parties and the President. He said the decision to delay the approval of the €100m in assistance for Moldova for a month is an appropriate decision taken at an appropriate time. Petras Auštrevičius noted the approval of the assistance could be yet delayed. A plenary sitting will be held in Strasbourg next Monday or Tuesday. The delay will be made public and will be a clear message from the European Parliament for the Moldovan ruling parties.

xxx

The European Union is a very important and reliable partner of the Republic of Moldova. The EU is ready to continue to offer assistance in implementing reforms so that the Republic of Moldova comes closer to the European values, while the people enjoy better living standards. Such statements were made in the inauguration of the European Town in the Public Garden “Stefan cel Mare” in Chisinau. Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola said that this year the EU has celebrated 60 years of the signing of the Treaty of Rome. The European project was a method of preventing the repeat of the conflict that practically destroyed a whole continent. The European Union is built on solid values, such as rule of law, democracy, human rights and this ensemble makes the EU stronger. The EU is one of the biggest powers in the world. It is a global player and a reliable partner, including for the Republic of Moldova. The EU remains committed to support the reforms done in Moldova. These will continue because they are for the benefit of the people. This year’s European Town is the last that he inaugurates in Chisinau as he is completing his duties in the Republic of Moldova.

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.