Pursuing the foreign policy goals, the Moldovan authorities must be attentive to what is going on inside the country too. Executive director of the Foreign Policy Association (APE) Victor Chirila has told IPN that the provocations against Chisinau will continue in 2014 so as to influence the authorities’ option.
Victor Chirila said that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is to come to Chisinau. “It is a sign that the doors aren’t closed and the political dialogue continues. The current government made everything possible to avoid the transformation of tensions or provocations into unsolvable problems in the dialogue with Russia. Surely the provocations will continue through the agency of the Transnistrian region. Russia will augment its support for the Eurasian integration. We heard that the Embassy of Russia in Chisinau will devote special attention to Gagauzia and Taraclia district. This thing must put us on the alert and we must have a more intense dialogue with the minorities from Moldova and with Gagauzia, Taraclia, and Balti,” said the expert.
The APE executive director added he expects intense cooperation with Romania in 2014. He would like to see greater clarity as regards the energy alliance between the two states.
As to Ukraine, Victor Chirila said that this is the greatest challenge for Moldova this year. Ukraine’s decision to suspend the association with the EU shows that the state is weak and that it didn’t manage to become a regional power. Thus, Moldova should be very attentive to what is going on in Ukraine. “Unfortunately, a weak Ukraine can be easily influenced by Russia, including as regards the Transnistrian issue. Russia can press Ukraine to be more attentive when taking decisions in the 5+2 negotiation format. Ukraine has been a valuable supporter of Moldova. We will see what effects these changes have on Ukraine and Chisinau,” he stated.
He also said that the greatest expectations this year are that Moldova will sign the Association Agreement with the EU as planned and that the European Union will abolish the visa requirements for Moldovans.
