Press-Release
on the organization of the debate “Moldova after Vilnius and Riga: opportunities and challenges before the next destination”, the 56^th installment of the “Developing Political Culture through Public Debates” Series
Public debates series held by the news agency IPN in its conference room with the support of the German Foundation “Hanns Seidel”

Held on 30 May 2016, debate 56 brought together Poland’s Ambassador to Moldova Artur Michalski; Latvia’s Charge d’Affaires Vita Dobele and Lithuania’s Ambassador Rimantas Latakas.

Why this topic, and why now? First, because exactly one year ago now at the Eastern Partnership Forum in Riga, and three years ago now in Vilnius, Moldova received quite many important signals encouraging us on our Eurointegration path, as well as criticism for our under-achievements. Because apparently the most important developments occur precisely around these summits, and with one year left until the next such event, it’s a good idea to look back so that we can see what comes ahead.

Why this format? Because Vilnius and Riga hosted the previous summits and therefore know everything, or more than anyone else, about the Eastern Partnership and about its members. And Poland is a co-initiator of the Eastern Partnership project itself, so how the Partnership has been doing is a matter of prestige for it. Moreover, all the three countries are among the most “understanding” supporters of Moldova. These three countries, and perhaps Romania, too, are   those who have the most confidence in Moldova at present.

But first, given the instructive nature of our project, we should begin with the “theory”: what is the Eastern Partnership for Moldova and what is Moldova for the Eastern Partnership, why was the Partnership created, what are its goals and how are these goals being met?

During the debate, the speakers said that in the European integration process, everything depends on the country, the implementation level of the reforms envisioned in the Association Agreement and how much the people’s lives improve. They believe that the Republic of Moldova made progress in the European integration process, but also witnessed delays.

Polish ambassador Artur Michalski said that if the Republic of Moldova hadn’t signed the Association Agreement with the EU and hadn’t obtained a visa-free regime, things in the country would have been worse probably. The country started to use the benefits and instruments offered by the Eastern Partnership. Some of the people are distrustful of the EU because of the insufficient reforms in European style done in Moldova.

For her part, charge d’affaires of the Republic of Latvia in Chisinau Vita Dobele said that after Moldova signed the Association Agreement with the EU, it achieved many results, including the augmentation of exports to the EU and the possibility of travelling visa free. The Republic of Moldova is able to implement the recommendations formulated by the EU experts who scrupulously analyzed the situation in the country. Latvia will support Moldova in the reformation process.

Lithuanian ambassador Rimantas Latakas stated that the signing of the Association Agreement and the visa-free regime with the EU are Moldova’s accomplishments on its path of European integration. The Eastern Partnership offers Moldova enormous possibilities in the areas of administrative reform, fight against corruption, security and education. In the European integration process, everything is in the hands of the Republic of Moldova and its people. In Lithuania, practically everyone wanted the country to become part of the EU.

The Agency published 7 news stories on the debate (see the English version of www.ipn.md): on 30.05.16, „Country’s European course is in the hands of Moldova and Moldovans, IPN debate” - http://ipn.md/en/integrare-europeana/76843; on 31.05.16, „Rimantas Latakas: Eastern Partnership offers Moldova enormous possibilities” - http://ipn.md/en/politica/76853; „Vita Dobele: Not ministry or Parliament, but country becomes EU member” - http://ipn.md/en/politica/76852; „Artur Michalski: Signing of Moldova-EU Association Agreement is a serious and symbolic fact” - http://ipn.md/en/politica/76846; on 01.06.16, „Vita Dobele: Not ministry or Parliament, but country becomes EU member” - http://ipn.md/en/integrare-europeana/76872; „Lithuania’s ambassador: United society is needed in European integration process” - http://ipn.md/en/integrare-europeana/76873; „Polish ambassador: Eastern Partnership laid foundations for modernizing member states” - http://ipn.md/en/integrare-europeana/76874 .


Valeriu Vasilica, director of IPN