Moldova’s Ambassador to Germany Oleg Serebrian considers the Moldovan legislation concerning the electoral system must be adjusted so that all the Moldovans from outside the country who want to vote can do it. The diplomat stated for IPN’s correspondent in Berlin that, as ambassador, he was asked by many German MPs, representing all the groups, why Moldovan citizens were unable to exercise their right to vote in the last presidential elections.
“The explanation was that it was due to the electoral legislation of the Republic of Moldova, which, on the one hand, limits the number of ballots for one polling place to 3,000. On the other hand, it is not known how many Moldovans eligible to vote are there abroad so as to establish a sufficient number of polling places. So, it is very hard as regards the orientation of polling stations. There is an omission here and the MPs must deal with it. Some adjustments are needed,” stated the diplomat.
According to Oleg Serebrian, in the last presidential elections at least 500 people could note vote in Germany, where the situation is specific because the German legislation does not allow opening polling places outside embassies and consulates and this thing should be taken into account when the Moldovan electoral legislation is amended.
As to the political relations between Moldova and Germany, Oleg Serebrian said the German state possibly had too great expectations of the Republic of Moldova and invested a lot of moral capital. “Berlin’s involvement was great in comparison with that of other capitals and there is particular disappointment as regards the speed at which things move. Another result and another dynamic were expected,” stated the diplomat, adding that the German diplomats who deal with Moldova’s case are anyway those who know the Moldovan people, parties, evolution and subtleties best of all and are very well informed.
As regards the economic relations, Oleg Serebrian stated things develop rather well. There is a wide range of areas where investments can be made and everything depends on Moldova’s openness. There are several very large German companies that invest in Moldova and could expand. The banking sector is also interested in this.
“Regrettably, the political situation in the Republic of Moldova is rather volatile. Secondly, the regional conjuncture hasn’t been very stable. For example, the conflict in Ukraine scared the investors away from our area. The Transnistrian issue is automatically connected with the problem in eastern Ukraine. However, despite all these problems, the dynamic in trade in rather positive,” said Oleg Serebrian. According to him, the automotive industry, food industry, healthcare industry and wine industry are also attractive for investment.
“I advised the Moldovan authorities not to come to Berlin because this is a political capital. It is the ‘Lands’ that are important for the cultural and economic relations as these are large and autonomous. I thus said that if the minister of agriculture comes to Berlin, he will meet with the federal minister, but he should better go to a region with agricultural specifics close to Moldova’s, which would have the necessary financial resources and interests,” stated the diplomat.
As to the active spirit of Germany in the Transnistrian conflict settlement process, the ambassador said it’s good that the dialogue in the 5+2 format was reopened. Of all the conflicts in the post-Soviet area, the Transnistrian conflict can be regarded from a more positive angle compared with other disputes.
