Press-Release
on the organization of the debate “Europeanism of Moldovan government and society: responsibilities, affinities and dissimilarities in different periods of pro-European government”, the 55th 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”
Debate 55, which was held on 17 May 2016, brought together the following speakers: Democrat MP Sergiu Sirbu, formerly Lib-Dem and currently unaffiliated MP Valeriu Ghiletchi, former PLR MP Valeriu Saharneanu, and expert Arcadie Barbăroşie, director of the Public Policy Institute and a co-author of the Public Opinion Barometer.
Why this topic and why this selection of speakers?
This topic – because it coincides with the period when we mark Europe Day in Moldova. Because two years ago about this time the Moldovans were offered visa-free travels in Europe. Because soon it will be two years since the signing of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement. And also because, besides the achievements mentioned above, during these two years in particular, and during the years of the pro-European government more generally, we've seen a lot of failures as well. They influenced the quality (and quantity) of Europeanism within both the political class and society. We need to analyze why this is happening and who is responsible, so that we can can understand what we need to do in order to reverse the less favorable trends now occurring in Moldova.
This selection of speakers – because, of all the notions used in the debate title, the key one seems to be the notion of “responsibility” - responsibility for the results that have been achieved, and especially for those that haven't been achieved on the European path that the pro-European governments have been promoting for seven years now. All today's speakers are either current or former representatives of the pro-European governments existing over the past seven years, and so the notion of responsibility concerns them directly, individually and collectively. With one little remark. The format of participants would have been more if the Lib-Dems also accepted the invitation to join.
Statistically and sociologically, the data on the Europeanism quality and quantity are reflected in opinion polls, such as the Public Opinion Barometer, which has been measuring pro-European and Euroskeptic moods for many years. This source can also serve to deduce the responsibilities for the tendencies revealed by the opinion polls.
Director of the Institute for Public Policy Arcadie Barbarosie said that when we speak about European integration, a lot of people imagine a model according to which the decisions are taken in Brussels. “This is wrong because the European integration means profound changes and new institutions that would bring that European model here, at home. How important for the ordinary people is to form part of the EU and have a representative on behalf of the Republic of Moldova on the European Commission? For me, as an ordinary citizen, this is not important. The people are much more interested in seeing the European model being implemented here, on the spot. The people want their basis rights to be guaranteed, the country to be governed by their will and the voted party to keep its promises. I think this is Europeanism in the broader meaning of the word. It’s not so important to have representatives in the European Parliament or on the European Commission,” he stated.
Democratic MP Sergiu Sarbu noted that European integration means not immediate accession to the EU, but modernization of the country and implementation of projects with the support of the European partners. “Five-six years ago, the European integration course went smooth in parts and not so smooth in other parts owing to the interminable political struggles typical of any state. We are glad that relative stability was established and we witnessed 100 days during which the current Government assumed commitments related to the European agenda,” he said, adding that Europeanism means safety, stability and living standards close to those existing in Europe.
Unaffiliated MP Valeriu Giletski, ex-Liberal-Democratic MP, said most of the citizens perceive Europeanism as a better life. “If we look back, we can see that life improved in some areas, but not in all. Europeanism is a very complex notion. I don’t know if there is profound understanding of what Europeanism means. I don’t think there is very clear understanding in the European countries either. There are Euro-skeptics there too. I personally think the governments we had after 2009 were European. They mainly focused on European principles of government. Yes, we didn’t manage to improve things everywhere, but the tendency to Europeanize the country is evident. I saw the wish of many leaders to make effort to bring the country on the path of European integration,” he stated.
Former Liberal-Reformist MP Valeriu Saharneanu said that after so many years of European governance, democracy in Moldova can be now measured by the finger. “I travelled to villages and saw the Europeanization level of our state. An elderly woman bought bread from the shop on credit. Here, in the capital city, in the offices of Parliament, we are satisfied. But Europeanism is measured by the people’s welfare and by the transparency ensured by the free media. These things are absent. This was established by us, the people, and by the development partners that refused to finance the country until real reforms are not done,” said the politician.
The Agency published 5 news stories on the debate (see the English version of www.ipn.md): on 17.05.16, “IPN debate about Europeanism of Moldovan government and society” - http://www.ipn.md/en/integrare-europeana/76588; “Percentage of EU supporters decreased through government’s fault, Arcadie Barbarosie” - http://www.ipn.md/en/integrare-europeana/76590; on 17.05.16, “Sergiu Sarbu: Priority reform action roadmap was about 60% carried out” - http://www.ipn.md/en/politica/76596; “Valeriu Giletski: If government does not change, it will be changed” - http://www.ipn.md/en/politica/76597; “Remaining democracy in Moldova can be measured by the finger, ex-MP” - http://www.ipn.md/en/politica/76595. .
Valeriu Vasilica, director of IPN