With highs and lows, 2017 is nearing its end. It is a good time for conclusions. On this occasion, IPN has gathered good thought from all over the globe, this time only good thoughts, from decision-makers and from those on the receiving end of these decisions. What good has come of 2017? This is the question we posed to the people who have accepted to join us in our pursuit of the good in our surroundings and in the events that affect us. Although many things do not follow our wishes, winners are the people and societies that learn to see challenges and lesser things as extra opportunities to get involved and make things better. For each of the topics we approach, we provide rankings that reflect the opinions of those who developed them. Read further for the good things 2017 has brought to the field of European integration.
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Ranking by the Association for Participatory Democracy “ADEPT”
1. Conditional macro-financial assistance
“The European Union will give Moldova the hundred million euro anyway, but it will at least insist on the implementation of certain crucial reforms.”
2. Eastern Partnership Summit in Brussels
“The four main cooperation fields among PaE countries have been established. The 20 objectives to be attained till 2020 have been established.”
3. European Parliament debates on the situation in Moldova
“The citizens of Moldova had the opportunity to see how European MPs perceive our country, and how many achievements left we have till we can get closer to the EU.”
4. Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn’s visit to Chișinău
“This visit put an end to political speculations on the possibility to fast-track our application for EU membership.”
5. Traian Băsescu’s statement, claiming Moldova’s European integration process is a lie
“Substituting European integration for the reunification of Moldova and Romania should make citizens think. They should learn to separate truth from lies. In fact, there is potential for both integration processes to become truths or, equally easily lies. It all depends on the citizens, and some of it depends on political leaders.”
Ranking by Independent Think Tank Expert-Grup:
1. Introduction of political criteria for macro-financial assistance
“For the first time in the history of Moldova-EU relations, the granting of macro-financial assistance will depend on the degree of democracy practiced by the Government. This creates additional pressure on the Government to implement reforms in the field of justice or mass media, but doesn’t guarantee the exclusion of the mixed voting system that was adopted in the spring of 2017.”
2. EU took a more pragmatic approach to Moldova, due to higher involvement of the civil society in reform monitoring
“Although the influence of the CSO sector on the EU-Moldova agenda is still modest, its role has risen considerably throughout 2017. It is increasingly often involved in evaluating the quality of reforms and in formulating recommendations for the improvement of public policies. Due to a more active dialogue between Moldovan CSOs and Brussels authorities, discrediting measures applied to our Government have intensified.”
3. Identification of funds to build connections to European energy system via Romania
“EBRD and EIB have granted the Chișinău authorities a loan in the amount of 92 million euro, for the construction of the Ungheni-Chișinău gas pipe. Meanwhile, an initiative has been launched, to contract 80 million euro from EIB for the inter-connection of the Isaccea-Vulcănești-Chișinău electricity networks. However, connection to Romania will have little impact on security provision of natural gases, if it the separation between producer and provider doesn’t happen fast, as secondary legislation will not guarantee effective access for third parties to the distribution pipes.”
4. Maintaining a positive pace in trade with EU
“Trade with the EU still covers 60% of total exports from Moldova. Although agro-food exports have risen, and export quotas for several categories (wheat, processed cereals) have been surpassed, animal product export still stop at bee honey, egg powder, and caviar. This category is still locked in a “vicious circle”, due to deficiencies regarding EU food safety standards.”
5. Extension of EUBAM Mission assistance on the Transnistrian segment till 2020.
“The Mission remains largely unchanged, further focusing on assessment and counsel towards improved customs and border control procedures. Furthermore, EUBAM maintains interest in supporting efforts to resolve the Transnistrian conflict, including assistance for DCFTA implementation in the region. The Mission is extended for two more years, an interval in which it will be led by Slawomir Pichor, who is well versed in the realities of Moldova, having worked at EUBAM since 2008.”
Ranking by the Government:
1. Regaining the trust of European institutions towards Government-implemented reforms
“On 31 March 2017, the third reunion of the EU-Moldova Association Council took place in Brussels, during which the Government has reaffirmed its determination to fully implement the Moldova-EU Association Agreement. Furthermore, during the reunion, European officials have stated that they support the implementation of reforms launched by the Government of Moldova concerning the welfare of our citizens. Regaining the trust of European partners towards Moldovan authorities was an important achievement and has happened due to the efforts made in 2016 towards covering the loopholes in the implementation of the Association Agreement, including through the implementation of new Roadmaps, as well as country modernization reforms. The Government has proven its resolve in its pro-European pursuits, and its capacity to deliver on the reforms agreed-upon with the European partners.”
2. Approval of the 2017-2019 Moldova-EU Association Agenda
“The Association Agenda is a joint document that details the implementation of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement. In that sense, on 19 August 2017, the Official Journal of the European Union has published the new Association Agenda, which defines high-priority implementation fields within the Association Agreement, for the 2017-2019 period. Alongside European institutions, the Government has elaborated a plan that will help intensify the European integration process, and a faster approach towards Europe by our citizens.”
3. Signing of the documentation package regarding macro-financial assistance
“The set of documents on macro-financial assistance in the amount of one hundred million euro to Moldova, has been signed in Brussels on 23 November 2017. Our country will receive a 40 million euro grant from the European Union, and a loan of 60 million euro starting next year. The financial resources will be given out in three installments, depending on the degree of implementation of the 28 agreed-upon requirements. These funds will contribute to the development and modernization of Moldova, to more investments and more jobs. Furthermore, EU’s trust of Moldova is a signal to investors, a reason for them to come to our country.”
4. Granting 36.5 million euro in budgetary support for five programs
“On 21 December 2017, the European Union has agreed to provide Moldova direct budgetary support in the amount of 36.3 million euro for five programs. The programs are: DCFTA implementation, Police reform, Public Finance Policy, liberalized Visa Regime implementation, and rural and agricultural development in Moldova. These reforms will provide improved, more efficient public services for the population.”
5. Eastern Partnership Summit
“The Eastern Partnership Summit took place on November 24 in Brussels. The meeting discussed the progress made by PaE states, and future cooperation matters have been identified. The Summit’s final declaration acknowledges Moldova’s European aspirations, and contains motivating signals concerning several important aspects for our country, such as integration into European transport corridors, the TEN-T network, reducing roaming tariffs or ensuring energetic security in Moldova. Moldova will receive even more support from our European partners, in order to cross the distance that separates us from Europe faster.”
