IPN on July 3 published the OP-ED “Estonian presidency of EU Council and implications for Moldova”, signed by expert in political sciences Dionis Cenusa. According to the author, the Estonian presidency of the Council of the EU is an opportunity for the ex-Soviet countries that have the most developed relations with the EU, namely Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia. But the benevolence and natural interest of Estonia cannot substitute the real progress in doing reforms, coherence and sincerity of national governments of the Eastern Partnership towards the own people and the EU. The EU member states do not use to openly criticize the authorities of third countries. However, with the taking over of the presidency of the Council of the EU, Estonia could be forced by circumstances to level criticism at the government of Moldova. Unlike Malta, Estonia has more reasons to be interested in the Eastern Partnership. That’s why civil society of Moldova, as the opposition forces, could explore the possibilities provided by the Estonian presidency to more intensely popularize the criticism aimed at the Democratic Party, including within the Council of the EU. This could hamper the Democrats’ plans to change the electoral system until the Eastern Partnership Summit of November 2017, without affecting somehow the macro-financial assistance of the EU.
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The European Parliament on July 4 voted in favor of providing €100 million in macro-financial assistance to Moldova. The money is to be disbursed by the European Commission in three tranches. A number of 575 MEPs voted for providing €100 million in macro-financial assistance to Moldova, 76 voted against, while 46 abstained. MEP Siegfried Muresan said the citizens of the Republic of Moldova should understand that this money is designed to help them, not the oligarchs and, for this to happen, the politicians in the Republic of Moldova should prove their will to fight corruption and to strengthen the rule of law and the justice system. According to him, the Republic of Moldova needs this money to finance current costs, to stabilize the economy and this is the reason why the European Union provides the assistance. If the Moldovan authorities make progress, the money will be disbursed as planned. If not, each tranche could be blocked until the undertaken reforms are done. Prime Minister Pavel Filip said the €100 million is designed to support the economic stabilization and structural reform agenda of the Republic of Moldova and to help cover its external financing needs in 2017-2018. A sum of €40 million will be allocated in the form of grants, while €60 million in loans. The funds will supplement the resources provided by the IMF and other multilateral institutions.
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The Government initiates negotiations with European Union on the provision of financing based on two agreements. Under the first agreement, €60 million is asked in technical assistance for developing and strengthening the capacities in particular areas: reform of the central public administration; agriculture and rural development; police and border management. Investment support will be provided to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, including those managed by women. Under the second agreement, the European Commission, through the European Neighborhood Instrument, is to allocate €29 million to the central public authorities of Moldova for increasing the capacities to coordinate the assistance and improve the skills to think up and coordinate projects, to develop the national spatial data infrastructure and fight money laundering.
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Reaching a broad consensus on the proposal to replace the electoral system is one of the recommendations of the Venice Commission, which is interpreted differently by the promoters and opponents of this electoral reform, but also in Moldovan society in general. The promoters say, on the one hand, there is sufficient consensus in Parliament and in society. On the other hand, broader consensus cannot be achieved. The opponents say there is no consensus either in Parliament or in society and this should be thus ensured, but as a result of sincere, not simulated discussions. This was the leitmotif of the public debate “Broad consensus in Moldovan society: necessity and possibility” that was staged by IPN News Agency and Radio Moldova. The debate was the 74th installment of the series of debates “Developing political culture by public debates” that are organized with support from the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany.
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The refusal by the opposition and civil society to take part in the public debates on the proposal to introduce the mixed-member electoral system polarizes society to a greater extent and this is detrimental to the development of Moldova, member of the European People’s Party parliamentary group Valeriu Giletski said in a public debate staged by IPN News Agency and Radio Moldova. According to the MP, actions should be taken to achieve a broad consensus on the electoral system change, including an information campaign. He also said that all the political parties should take part in the public debates so as to reach a compromise and a broad consensus on the proposal to modify the electoral system. Replying to the assertions of the Liberal Party’s deputy chairmen Valeriu Munteanu, Valeriu Giletski said parliamentary entities like the European People’s Party group are created at the European level as well, including in the European Parliament.
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Polarization in Moldovan society is the result not only of the national players, but also of the interference from outside the country. The level of polarization in the future is not expected to decrease in Moldova. Regrettably, Moldova experiences foreign interference that amplifies polarization and destabilizes internal views, considers the director of the Resource Center for Human Rights (CREDO) Sergiu Ostaf. In a public debate staged by IPN News Agency and Radio Moldova, Sergiu Ostaf said the notion of a broad consensus recommended by the Venice Commission refers to the creation of a communication space that would contribute to finishing a process. According to him, the consensus meant by the Venice Commission should embrace the whole society, all the proposals and recommendations and all players concerned. The CREDO director noted that no broad consensus was ever reached in the Republic of Moldova on such issues because the polarization level is very high.
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The Venice Commission’s appraisal is political-legal in character even if particular players from Chisinau are trying to impose another interpretation. We cannot speak about a legal generality apart from the political reality, deputy chairman of the Liberal Party Valeriu Munteanu said in a public debate organized by IPN News Agency and Radio Moldova. Valeriu Munteanu stated that after he studied the Venice Commission’s opinion on the electoral system change, he concluded that the change is wanted only by the Democratic Party, while the Party of Socialists “wants” this under pressure. According to the Liberal party’s deputy chairman, the proposal to replace the voting system in the first reading was also supported by the European People’s Party parliamentary group, which was constituted during the mandate of the current legislature. The Venice Commission said it is an absolutely Moldovan invention when parliamentary groups that do not represent the voters are formed. The monitoring of Moldova by the Council of Europe is a condition that could accelerate the European integration process and even the process of obtaining the status of candidate for accession to the EU. At the same time, the ignoring of the Venice Commission’s recommendations concerning the electoral system change will lead to the exerting of pressure on Moldova and to a delay in disbursing the agreed financial assistance.
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When social cohesion is absent and in parts society is even fissured, a political consensus on any problem is impossible. A narrow consensus in the Republic of Moldova could be gathered by the theft of the US$ 1 million and the making of the repayment of the stolen funds the people’s burden and also other aspects such as the European integration or the Eurasian integration. But a consensus on the mixed-member electoral system or the proportional representation system will never be achieved, vice director of the Institute of Legal and Political Research of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova Victor Juc said in a public debate organized by IPN News Agency and Radio Moldova. Victor Juc noted that the problem of a broad or narrow consensus has never been on the agenda of the day in Moldova, while decisions were taken rather based on representative democracy mechanisms in Parliament. In another development, the expert said that the provision of financial assistance to the Republic of Moldova by the European Union turned from an economic into a political issue and became a pressing problem because Moldova was earlier treated more than as a community state.
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At the current stage, the ruling parties – the Party of Sociologists and the Democratic Party – do nothing but simulate the discussions on the electoral system change. When they speak about a consensus in society, this should be divided into a consensus existing in Parliament and another one existing in the opposition. The Party “Action and Solidarity” (PAS) considers the discussions about the replacement of the electoral system in Moldova are useless as these are mainly based on incorrect informing. Such statements were made by the representative of the PAS Vladimir Bolea in a public debate staged by IPN News Agency and Radio Moldova. Vladimir Bolea said the PAS does not take part in the discussions on the electoral system change organized by the ruling parties. According to him, the Republic of Moldova goes through an unprecedented political crisis. At this stage, a broad consensus is out of the question. Moldova should focus on much more pressing problems, such as the energy security, economic development and administrative reform. The foreign impact is very important for the Republic of Moldova and the inclusion of Moldova’s problem in the working agenda of the European People’s Party and the Council of Europe was a success. The €100 million in financial assistance provided by the European Parliament will definitely be released on particular conditions.
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The forensic laboratory of the National Center of Legal Expertise obtained international accreditation for examining writing and signatures (according to the SR EN ISO/CEU 17025:2006 standard). The results of its examinations will be valid in cases examined by the European Court of Human Rights and will be recognized in the EU. Legal expertise can be required by courts of law, prosecution bodies, interested private individuals and legal entities. The conclusions written in the expert report are used as evidence in courts.
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There should be direct communication between the Moldovan authorities and the European institutions, said Prime Minister Pavel Filip, noting that incorrect information that is misinterpreted has lately reached Brussels. The Premier made such statements in the meeting of the governmental commission for European integration, which centered on the progress made in implementing the Moldova – EU Association Agreement and the conclusions of the discussions held recently with European officials. Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Galbur said the report on the carrying out of the plan of action for implementing the Moldova – EU Association Agreement in the first half of 2017 is to be published by the end of July.
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The Standing Bureau of the Moldovan Parliament approved a joint statement of the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and the Supreme Rada of Ukraine whereby these call on the European Parliament to adopt a resolution before the Eastern Partnership Summit to express political support for opening the membership perspective of the three associate states. After the Bureau’s meeting, Speaker Andrian Candu said the three states – Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine – are associates of the European Union. They signed association agreements and free trade agreements with the EU without yet discussing in detail the European perspective and when this European perspective will be offered. This is a request to the European Parliament, which is a European political body, to examine and to adopt a resolution for the Eastern Partnership so that the three states are offered European integration perspectives. Speaking about a possible application for EU membership by Moldova, Andrian Candu said this could be submitted in 2018. To file such an application, the Republic of Moldova should be prepared and eligible to launch the pre-accession procedure.
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The declaring by the European Union of the Moldovan seed control and certification system as equivalent to that of the EU enables to supply seeds to the European market, Prime Minister Pavel Filip said in a news conference held after a meeting with the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis, who paid a visit to Moldova. The Premier said that on June 9, the EU declared that the national seed control and certification system is equivalent to the EU’s. According to him, this decision is one more gate opened to Europe, which will enable the producers in the field to sell goods on the EU market. European Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis said the Republic of Moldova remains an important partner of the EU within the European neighborhood policy and the Eastern Partnership. He encouraged the Moldovan authorities to implement the EU legislation on animal health and welfare.
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Moldova and Lithuania are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. In an event staged by the Embassy of Lithuania in Chisinau, Ambassador Rimantas Latakas said the cooperation relations started 25 years ago have been firm and friendly and didn’t refer only to diplomatic relations and meetings of different levels and covered such areas as arts, science, culture and healthcare. The diplomat noted that Lithuania attaches great importance to the fact that Moldova is a member of the Eastern Partnership and fully supports the Republic of Moldova in its choice to become part of the European area and to integrate into the political and economic spheres of the European Union. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lilian Darii said Lithuania managed to modernize itself and to become an EU member and a NATO member. Moldova in the period has felt Lithuania’s support, with which it managed to sign the Association Agreement with the EU, and continues to enjoy assistance in implementing this accord, which will bring Moldova closer to the EU.
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Eight expert subgroups will work as part of the working group for improving the legislation on the mass media. The objectives for each subgroup and the deadlines for working out relevant documents were agreed in the July 6 meeting of the working group that was chaired by Speaker of Parliament Andrian Candu. Dumitru Lazur, media programs coordinator at the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau, said the working groups will consist of national and foreign experts who will coordinate the activity of the subgroups and will assist the members of the working group. The group was created on the initiative of Speaker Andrian Candu with support from the Joint EU/CoE Project “Promoting Media Freedom and Pluralism in the Republic of Moldova”.
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Moldova’s exports of goods in January – May 2017 came to over US$850 million, an increase of about 15% compared with the corresponding period last year. According to the Ministry of Economy, such a development is due to the increase in external demand that led to a rise in exports, but also to a decline in the price per unit. Over 63% of the exports were directed to the European Union. These came to US$540 million. Exports to the CIS states represented about 20% of the exports and added up to US$180 million. In the period, imports totaled US$ 1.8 billion, by over 16% higher than in the same period of 2016. Imports from the EU member states came to US$880 million, which is 49% of all the imports. Imports from the CIS member states amounted to over US$ 450 million, making up over 25% of all imports.
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Romania will continue to help the citizens of the Republic of Moldova and the pro-Eastern options of some of the politicians will not represent an impediment, said Romania’s Ambassador in Chisinau Daniel Ionita. He noted that to reach the EU, the institutions should combine forces and increase capacities so as to cope with the challenges. The diplomat said that he was surprised to see nostalgia for the Soviet period in some of the citizens and that the anti-NATO approach in Moldovan society is painful for him.
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The Republic of Moldova, alongside eight states of the Black Sea Region, will be able to apply to a program of grants with a budget of €49 million. The financing agreement between the Government of Moldova, the European Union and the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration of Romania on the Black Sea Basin Joint Operational Program 2014-2020 was ratified by Moldova’s Parliament. The money provided by the EU in the form of grants is intended for public authorities, nongovernmental and education organizations of Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. The financing will be used to improve the living standards of the people. The beneficiaries must contribute 10% of the financed costs. The second accord, to the value of €81 million, is a financing agreement between the Government of Moldova, the European Union and the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration of Romania on the Joint Operational Program Romania-Republic of Moldova 2014-2020 for the Transfrontier Cooperation Program of the European Neighborhood Instrument for 2014-2020, which was signed in Chisinau on December 12, 2016. This is design to support the implementation of joint border projects between Romania and Moldova in such areas as education, conservation and protection of historical heritage and border security.
The summary of news from the IPN series “European Integration” is produced with support from the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany and can be further disseminated on condition that the source is indicated.
