What practices of Lithuania’s European path can be borrowed by the Republic of Moldova in its rapprochement with the EU? Which are the tasks and challenges witnessed in this process and which are the expectations of the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit? These and other topics were discussed in an interview given in Vilnius to IPN’s reporter Elena Nistor by the deputy minister of foreign affairs of Lithuania Darius Skusevičius.
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- What was the state of Lithuania when it was preparing for integration into the EU? What conditions was it to meet to join the EU?
- When Lithuania regained its independence, the question “What next and where?” appeared immediately. There were not many choices before us when we escaped from a union in which we were held by force. Only one option remained then – to head for the West. And his movement to the West implied the meeting of standards, gradual harmonization of the legislation in all the areas. The harmonization of the legislation in the economic sphere, for example, was needed for trading and for increasing exports. Surely, to obtain membership in different bodies, either the EU or NATO, there are a series of conditions that should be met, theoretically speaking. At practical level, the rapprochement with the European Union and NATO wasn’t an easy task for us either. The most important thing is for the internal standards and legal framework to coincide with the European ones. If you want to integrate, you should meet particular conditions by adjusting the legal framework and do reforms.
Our European path wasn’t at all easy and is not simple now either. We didn’t stop in 2004, when we became members as the EU goes on. Particular changes occur and we should keep up. These processes are continuous. Currently, we aim to become a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and thus need to respect a number of conditions, including doing reforms related to the management of state-run enterprises, forest management, etc. There are many tasks and the fact that you became an EU member does not mean that the reform and compliance processes stop because they are actually continuous, regardless of the state about which we speak.
Namely the processes of joining and being a party to the European and Transatlantic bodies allowed us to gain the expertise we share and we are ready to continue sharing it with the Republic of Moldova.
-And if you refer to the case of the Republic of Moldova?
- Our states have friendly relations and, if we refer to the rapprochement with the EU, you had been an incontestable leader, but now, regrettably, the processes go slower.
- What aspects of Lithuania’s experience on the way to modernization and overcoming of once common problems can be especially useful to Moldova now and in the future?
- The existence of a consensus between the political parties on the country’s external course is very important and this consensus existed in Lithuania, regardless of the political colors. The consensus that existed between the political parties formed the basis of subsequent understandings. In our case, as regards the foreign policy and national security and defense policy, we enjoy consensus here and no disagreements between parties appear, even if they are opposition parties.
Probably, this was the first step taken when we decided to go towards the European Union. The next steps were also the result of a consensus, even if this wasn’t an absolute one, but of an overwhelming majority. In other words, it would be somehow antinational not to support the laws concerning the European integration.
- In the Republic of Moldova, this political consensus does not exist. Even in such conditions, there is the intention to introduce a reference into the Constitution to specify that the European integration is Moldova’s strategic orientation. What do you think about such a step?
- Certainly, the decisions taken by the Republic of Moldova remain the sovereign decisions of the Republic of Moldova. The people of Moldova should decide what path they want to follow. There is already a basis for the rapprochement with the European Union and we speak about evident things, such as the Association Agreement and the DCFTA that contain real provisions in this regard. We already agreed the format of our relations, their conditions and priorities. Now everything depends on the Republic of Moldova. There is an understanding of things and concrete actions should now follow. In this respect, solutions should be identified to go on. We witnessed also stopping of financing and this shows that the situation is not at all simple, but this is not because of those who provide support, but because the result is as it is.
As to the stipulation of the European course in the Constitution, some can stipulate it, while others can remove it. However, this is not the most important thing. The implementation of reforms is more important. Even if the EU wants this rapprochement, everything depends on the Republic of Moldova. If the Republic of Moldova wants to follow this direction, it is its decision and these things are not done for the European Union. I would like to mention that there are already particular principles and steps that should be taken for the state to prosper, and not particular persons or categories, but everyone.
- How can the ordinary people influence the orientation of the state and the related political decisions?
- The majority in society influences most of the processes in the state and this is something normal, natural. But the real work done to achieve the objectives is not something that goes by itself. For example, in Lithuania civic activism grows and we feel this. It is very important for the people not to be afraid and to state their opinion, while the administration, for its part, should be able to listen, not to place obstacles and to take into account the opinions of all the social groups to the possible extent. The development of such instruments as social networking also stimulates activism because a posting that contains particular facts and violations can lead to a dismissal.
Can society influence decisions? I think it can. This process can take place naturally, but can take place easier if it is supported. In this regard, a number of institutions should cooperate and generate different projects within which they would contact directly people from the states that achieved results and people from the country that covers the path to rapprochement. As a result, the last become that force that will promote and that will also exert pressure to stimulate the European course.
- What should Moldova expect of the upcoming EaP Summit that will take place in Brussels?
- The summit itself is an event where the participants come together to take stock of the accomplishments of the previous period. We determine where we are at this moment and decide if we will continue the path and in what direction. It is a political event and the statement that refers to three of the six EaP states that are to decide to what extent and at what pace they want to develop so as to come closer to the European Union is one of the most important elements. It is about the states that signed the Association Agreement, the DCFTA, already obtained a liberalized visa regime, etc. So, the essence resides in the necessity of creating a separate format for the three states – the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia – within which their problems would be addressed. A document in this regard already exists. But there is also another document that will specify 20 objectives that are to be achieved in concert until 2020. These refer to different areas, such as economic, social, legislative and other fields. In general, these are the expectations.
The place where the Summit will be held – Brussels – is another important element of this event. The previous meetings took place in Vilnius, in Riga and this fact, from geographical viewpoint and as a political signal, indicated namely this part of the EU. A clear signal is yet transmitted now - that this matter refers to the whole European Union and that this partnership is a priority for the whole European Union. I would return to say that the most important expectation is yet related to the assessment and further implementation of reforms, not only their formulation on paper, for the benefit of the citizens.
