The political situation in the Republic of Moldova is disappointing compared with what we expected five years ago. The government disappointed to a certain extent, but there is always a day of tomorrow, said former EU Special Representative for Moldova in 2007-2011 Kalman Mizsei. In an interview for Radio Free Europe, the official, who now heads the EU Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform in Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine), stated that the current situation will make the politicians to learn the lesson as a result of the events witnessed after 2010 and to improve governance, IPN reports.
“In a way, Moldova needs reforms similar to those required in Ukraine. I care about Moldova. I invested a lot of effort in the success of this country and I also have family relations here. I feel at home in Chisinau and I would like to see this country becoming a prosperous and rich one. I still think that today the country has chances of becoming a successful European state,” noted Kalman Mizsei.
Asked what role is now played by the geopolitical and geostrategic factor in this region, where Ukraine and Moldova are situated, the official said that the Russian Federation treats these countries as parts of a game with a nil sum. According to him, the EU believes that the aspirations of these countries do not run counter to the interests of Russia. “For us, this is not at all a geopolitical game. Regretfully, our Russian partners treat the region in a different way and have only competitive perspectives in this zone,” he stated, adding that the commercial sanctions and restrictions imposed on Moldova represent a very narrow and limited geopolitical perspective. “I think the one that started this ugly game will be the final loser.”
Asked if Moldova’s European future depends on the European future of Ukraine, Kalman Mizsei stated that he cannot comment on this issue, but can say that the European Union measures the progress of different countries based on their merits. As to the geopolitics, there is an interaction between the states of affairs in the two countries, but for Moldova it is important to do reforms and its homework and the EU will react positively. The same applies to Ukraine.
