'No need to choose between EU and CIS'

The advantages of Moldova's location between East and West, as well as the importance of having an association that could protect and promote the interests of the Moldovan business community formed the key part of discussions at an international business forum organized to mark the official launch of the Moldovan Businessmen's Association (AOAM). The event held on Thursday brought together over 100 business people, officials and reporters from over 10 countries, including from the Commonwealth of Independent Countries and the European Union. “Today the European countries show an economic growth rate of 1% and it seems it will stay so in the future. Europe needs new member states with new dynamism”, said the French politician and author Dominique de Villepin, France's Prime Minister in 2005-2007, in his opening speech. “If Moldova can do its homework right – and this means to develop a genuine democracy, to ensure a true social consensus, to lay stress on culture and education, to be an example for the eastern region, to have the best relations with Russia and the CIS, with Romania – this country will be attractive to the European Union. In this case Europe would say that, with Moldova's help, we'll be greater, will have a greater capacity to exert influence, even if it's hard to believe it. Time works in Moldova's favor. Try to profit from any situation, whether with Russia, the European Union or other countries. Profiting from it, you will gain very good positions”, suggested the French guest speaker. According to AOAM Board president Vladimir Plahotniuc, due to its location at the eastern border of the European Union, at the westernmost frontier of the post-Soviet space, Moldova is a country with a special status. “This is a remarkable position from a geographical viewpoint, which unfortunately hasn't been put to good use yet. Perhaps, together with the politicians, we the business people should also share part of the blame. Maybe we should have joined forces earlier and try to compensate on a private level for what the governments haven't managed to do on a diplomatic level. This is the idea that lay at the foundation of this organization and your numerous presence here today confirms that we were not mistaken. In my capacity as president let me assure you that we will be an honest and constructive partner, a partner for whichever private or public project directed at Moldova's growth”, said Vladimir Plahotniuc. “A new mission and a new player emerges, and its name is AOAM”, stated Andrian Candu, AOAM general manger. “Moldova has many organizations with a reputation and rich experience, such as the American Chamber of Commerce, the Foreign Investors' Association, the French Chamber of Commerce and other organizations of the lot. AOAM doesn't aim to replace them, but join them, consolidating the businesspeople in their noble causes. Among our objectives I should emphasize the promotion of the country's image internationally, the consolidation of the business community, the continuous monitoring of the government's actions and the consolidation of the managerial capacities. What makes AOAM different from other associations? The members of the association are individuals, successful managers and business owners who want to share their success. I hope that by joining our efforts we will succeed at last, as our organization's motto states: Spem Succesus Alit – Success Nourishes Hope!”, said Adrian Candu. “In a market economy, the locomotive are the entrepreneurs, this is why any government, any ministry, and especially all the development policy makers are obliged to pay heed to what the businessmen say. We need partners for dialogue, we truly need constant pressure from society, from the business community, I mean in the good sense of the word. But most importantly is that you have the capacity and expertise to offer solutions”, said Economy Minister Valeriu Lazar. “I congratulate you on the initiative to establish an assembly as representative as yours. We are honored and very glad to have Dominique de Villepin among us and benefit from his vast experience in matters of Eurointegration and regional cooperation. I believe that one of the priorities of a businessmen's association should be to enhance the competitiveness of the Republic of Moldova nationally and regionally” said Dorin Dragutanu, the Governor of the National Bank of Moldova. “We represent 63% of those who work in Romania. We salute the establishment of the AOAM and are always available to offer you all the expertize that we have as a member of BusinessEurope, Europe's largest employers' organization, of the European Economic Council and of the Romanian Economic Council”, said Dan Matei Agathon, secretary general and spokesperson for the Romanian Confederation of Industrial Employers. According to Russian academician Vladimir Kolmogorov, the principal goal of the Association should be to promote the Moldovan business in the directions where it will obtain maximum profitability. “Today we have talked a lot about geographical opportunities. I think it is not correct to formulate the question in terms of CSI or Europe. I believe the answer that should guide this newly formed association is “both”, said Vladimir Kolmogorov, who is also the vice president of the International Congress of of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.