[Info-Prim Neo article from the Series “Moldova-20! Whereto?”] [Each of the 20 years of independence in Moldova has its meaning and role in what happened in the period and, undoubtedly, in what is going to happen in the country and the people’s lives in the future. Info-Prim Neo asked politicians, analysts, experts and personalities from different areas to pronounce on the main events that took place during a certain year and assess their impact on the country.] [The year 2001 as seen by politician Mihai Godea, unaffiliated member of Moldova’s Parliament] [February 25] – There were held Parliamentary elections. [April 4] – Vladimir Voronin was elected President of Moldova. [May 8] – Moldova became a member of the World Trade Organization. [May 28] – There was set up the Coordination Council on Corruption Combating Matters, headed by the President of Moldova. [June 1] – There was adopted the Law on Moldova’s Admission to the World Trade Organization. [June 28] – Moldova became a fully-fledged member of the Stability Pack for South Eastern Europe. [December 27] – There was passed a new Law on the Territorial-Administrative Organization, whereby the raions (districts) were restored. [According to politician Mihai Godea], the year 2001 was a turning point in the recent history of Moldova and very useful lessons can be learned from the events of that year. “The year 2001 can be considered the apogee of economic reforms, of a very difficult economic recovery process, when things started to return to normality. The country was ruled by the Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (ADR), which came to power in 1998. Unfortunately, the political leaders of the ADR were then much more interested in the way they will share the laurels for the accomplishments at foreign level and the benefits of economic growth between them,” said Mihai Godea. He also said that the politicians of 2001 self-isolated themselves into a sphere of chamber political struggles. “The political leaders of the then ruling alliance omitted the most important element – the people’s support and confidence. The natural, organic connection with the people practically disappeared, while the sterile political debates no more represented the people’s interests,” stated Mihai Godea. The politician said that while the ruling parties expressed optimism and the international rapporteurs praised Moldova for its achievements, most of the people lived in poverty and uncertainty and became more and more nostalgic for the Soviet era. “The pro-European parties of that period compromised the notions of democracy, freedom, European integration and reform,” he said. Mihai Godea stressed the PCRM profited from the social discontent and nostalgia for the stability in the Soviet period and, conveying an anti-European and pro-Soviet message, seized power as a result of an overwhelming victory. On February 25, the PCRM won the legislative elections and obtained 70 seats of MP. On April 4, 2001 Vladimir Voronin was elected head of state. “Moreover, when the Communists came to power, they appropriated all the economic and political accomplishments. Many of them actually derived from the unpopular reforms promoted until 2001. Under the PCRM’s rule, Moldova became a member of the World Trade Organization on May 8, 2001. On June 28, 2001 it was accepted as a fully-fledged member of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe,” said Mihai Godea. The politician stated that eight years were needed to regain the people’s trust in the European and democratic future of the country and currently Moldova is in a similar situation. In another development, Mihai Godea said the Nistru war is the most important and tragic event after the proclamation of independence, whose effects are still felt. Moldova experiences a frozen conflict that affects its territorial integrity and the chances of building a prosperous and safe future. According to Mihai Godea, another important event is April 7, 2009, when Moldova reappeared as a new state on the political map of the world. It became a country where the people want to be free and fight for their freedom. “Those events changed the recent history, made the democratic forces to cooperate and reset the course for European integration,” said the politician. Mihai Godea entered Parliament as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova. He started his political career in 2000, when he joined the Democratic Forces Party. In 2002-2005, he had been a member of the Democratic Party of Moldova. In 2003-2005, he had served as deputy head of the National Assistance and Information Center for NGOs in Moldova “Contact”. He was secretary of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections – “Coalition 2005” and “Coalition 2007”. In 2005-2006, he had held the post of chairman of the National NGO Council of Moldova. In 2007, he was named the first deputy president of the Liberal Democratic Party. In May 2011, he defected from the party and ran independently for the mayoralty of Chisinau. On June 23, 2011, he launched the Alternative Democratic Platform, which became the Democratic Action Party one month later. [Dumitrita Ciuvaga, Info-Prim Neo]