Moldova did not register any progress in implementing IPAP in 2007 – Info-Prim Neo interview with political analyst Viorica Antonov

[- The implementation term of Moldova-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) will soon expire. What can you say about Moldova’s achievements in this regard and whether Moldova has any remaining issues at this chapter?] The Republic of Moldova did not register any good results in 2007; it has remaining issues that it will have to overcome in 2008, so that the tasks for 2008 will double. However, I highlight the initiative of the security and defence institutions to cooperate with representatives of the civil society, which speaks about an attempt to ensure transparency in the development of security and defence policies. For instance, civilians, including university and researching institutions experts, were involved in discussions the Draft National Security Concept. Also, steps are taken to facilitate media access to these debates. One of the tasks is to develop a legal framework for the IPAP implementation. Also, a communication strategy on the IPAP implementation process is needed. Unfortunately, the development of the National Security Concept and/or National Security Strategy and National Military Strategy are still on the list of remaining issues. [- There is a belief that IPAP’s implementation will lead to Moldova’s accession to NATO. How realistic are these opinions?] First of all, I have to stress that the Individual Partnership Action Plans were put forward by NATO at the Prague Summit in 2002, as advanced cooperation tools with the Alliance for the non-member states, but which are part of the Partnership for Peace Programme. Joining NATO is related to the objectives and commitments established by each country apart. Moldova-NATO IPAP does not stipulate such objectives and commitments, as long as Moldova is a neutral country. The IPAP is implemented for a period of two years. Within the Plan, the partner country sets out its NATO cooperation priorities in many fields it considers relevant to be developed. The IPAP’s implementation mechanisms have to match the priorities and objectives established by the partner state. Commitments taken by the partner states within this document refer to the implementation of reforms in the security and defence sector, informing the public, science, administration, resources etc. Through the IPAP, the partner country benefits from a high consultancy degree on behalf of NATO in the concerned fields, as well as from an advanced assistance in training. [- What are the main stipulations of this Action Plan?] Moldova-NATO IPAP is made up of two relevant parts. It is about the main political and reforming objective of Moldova, as well as the reforming fields, which represent the object of Moldova’s consultations with NATO. The plan is structured into four significant chapters: 1. political and security issues; 2. military and defence issues; 3. informing the public, science and planning emergency situations; 4. administrative aspects, information protection and resources. Getting this document approved by the North Atlantic Council will represent for Moldova a more advanced step in its cooperation with NATO towards the development and modernisation of the national security maintenance mechanisms. If referring to the main stipulations of the IPAP, then I should mention the political and restructuring objectives, which represent the first part of the document. Developing relations with the Euroatlantic structures and joining the European Union is a primary objective as following the structure and established priorities, the IPAP was mainly created on the background of Moldova-EU Action Plan. Another moment I would like to stress is the democratic control of the armed forces. This encompasses a comprehensive monitoring of the situation in the security and defence field, performed in a transparent way by civil persons participating in the decision-making process at all levels. This will raise the role of civil persons in the national security system. Also, I would like to mention about informing the wide public and cooperation in the scientific field with NATO. In my opinion, the achievement of these objectives will facilitate the development of the public diplomacy in Moldova. The development of the National Strategy on informing the public on security issues (stipulated in IPAP) would highlight, first of all, the way the civil control of the security and defence sector is carried out. Secondly, it would facilitate a better understanding of the activity of institutions in the field. As for the science chapter, the cooperation with NATO will contribute to the development of the country’s scientific potential, particularly in the security of the environment, biotechnologies, fighting against terrorism, forecasting and preventing catastrophes, etc. NATO offers cooperation in the science field within the Science for Peace and Security Programme. This programme stipulates more possibilities for the partner states, like grants for individual researches, advanced trainings and workshops in many relevant fields. We hope that our country will fully take the benefits of this programme to consolidate its scientific potential. [- What do you know about the experience of other countries in implementing such documents? What is the level of their dialogue with NATO, if compared to Moldova?] Georgia was the first country to sign the IPAP back in October 2004, followed by Ukraine in April 2005, Azerbaijan in May 2005, and Armenia in December 2005 and Kazakhstan in January 2006. Moldova was the 6th country to adopt the IPAP. As for the experience of other states, an important role is played by the established objectives and selected implementation mechanisms. They differ from one country to another. I could talk about Armenia’s case, as I have been recently studied it. Armenia’s experience is close to Moldova, as the two countries joined this advanced cooperation mechanism with NATO not so long time ago and need considerable efforts to achieve the IPAP. Apart from establishing within the IPAP the implementation of reforms in the defence and security sector, developing thus a political and cooperation dialogue with NATO, Armenia also intends to promote mutual relations with the NATO member states. During 2006-2007 Armenia recorded a series of achievements as concerning the IPAP’s implementation. Armenia has a relevant legislation and crisis managing mechanisms. For instance, the Armenia-NATO IPAP stipulates the setting up of a central point to link political, informative and analytical agencies. This is done for a better coordination of the activity of relevant institutions and agencies in the crisis situations. Armenia might not be the most relevant example in the IPAP implementation, but getting back to the idea I mentioned before, each country is a particular case and following the IPAP’s implementation level, this case can be better analysed from the perspective of the achieved objectives, than comparing it to another country. [- What could happen next after Moldova-NATO IPAP’s implementation term expires?] The IPAP is a reform programme in the security and defence sector. I think Moldova should focus its efforts on the implementation of these reforms, and not only in a declarative way. This is not a simple task, but it is a needed one. There are many factors playing an important role in achieving these reforms, like the involvement level, responsibility degree, achievement and monitoring way and also the political will.