The relations between the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation, as the relations with other geopolitical players of the region, matter because Moldova has a history, has traditional relations with this country and, consequently, these relations can be only good. At the same time, the relations with Russia should be directed to a path of normality and mutual respect. Moldova didn’t have something like this while Igor Dodon has held office of President. Such issues as why do the relations between the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation matter more than the relations with other countries, what Moldovan society should be preoccupied with and who and how manages foreign policy in general and the Moldovan-Russian relations in particular were discussed in IPN’s public debate “Reforming of Moldovan-Russian relations after presidential elections: problems, solutions, priorities”.
Dionis Cenușa, a political scientist, researcher at the Institute of Political Sciences at Liebig-Justus University in Giessen, said the relations with the Russian Federation, as those with other geopolitical players of the region, matter because Moldova has a history, has traditional relations with Russia and, consequently, these relations can be only good. They matter because Moldova depends on natural gas supplied by Russia, because the Russian market yet represents an attractive place for selling Moldovan products. “The Russian Federation represents a place where many Moldovans look for work. There are Moldovan migrants who work legally and, regrettably, illegally too. That’s why the status of these persons should be solved. In this regard, there are objective reasons for Moldova to be preoccupied with the relationship with the Russian Federation in particular, apart from the diplomatic aspects,” stated Dionis Cenușa.
The expert considers the Republic of Moldova will be unable to solve the Transnistrian conflict without Russia’s aid. Namely the objective reasons mentioned above make the Republic of Moldova have a constructive and positive agenda with the Russian Federation, regardless of the political views of the rulers in Chisinau. The relations with the Russian Federation and other international relations are managed by the Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration that coordinates the relations with the Russian Federation. There is also the presidential administration that is responsible for a part of the foreign policy agenda. That’s why the way in which the President communicates the priorities from their agenda in relation to the Russian Federation also matters, alongside the daily activity performed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Parliament also has particular contacts through the agency of parties that are represented in the legislature, that have bilateral relations with different players from Russia.
Expert Mihai Mogîldea, team leader at the Institute for European Policies and Reforms, said the relations with Russia should be directed to a path of normality and mutual respect. Moldova didn’t enjoy something like this while Igor Dodon has held office of President. “If this means reformation of the relations with the Russian Federation, we should bank on the proper functioning of the dialogue at institutional level with those from the Russian Federation. What gladdens me is the fact that when Maia Sanud takes up her duties as President, or at least this is what her agenda presented during the election campaign and her statements made before winning office show, Moldova will have a more uniform position at the level of state institutions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the presidential administration, related to particular key issues about the dialogue with the Russian Federation. It goes to the withdrawal of the Operational Group of Russian Forces from the Transnistrian region and the respect for Moldova’s sovereignty in accordance with Russia’s commitments to Moldova. This is positive news for the future of the dialogue with the Russian Federation,” stated Mihai Mogîldea.
The expert believes that while Igor Dodon has held office of President, attempts were made to ignore particular international calls and there were particular statements made by the country’s administration at national and international forums about the respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova. “Regrettably, this did nothing else but affect his image as President and the country’s position at international level, the interaction with other European and Trans-Atlantic partners. Something like this should be brought to an end and we should have a common, uniform, well-known position in close connection with the national interests of the country,” opined Mihai Mogâldea.
According to Valeriu Ostalep, expert in international relations and security, everyone should ask oneself the questions that society has asked during many years” “What are the family names of the persons who take decisions about the external policy in general, with the Russian Federation in particular? Based on what documents all the persons employed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, about 500 persons, work? What is the purpose of the existence of this Ministry, who does it monitor, what does it do? It has been a long tradition that this Ministry bears no public responsibility. What does it spend public funds on? These are large sums of money that are often spent without purpose. Society and the Government have never asked what does this Ministry do,” said the ex-deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, noting that this Ministry is taken into account by no one and it plays a role similar to that of Moldova’s Post Office, of conveying and responding.
In another development, Valeriu Ostalep said the functions related to Russia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have always been considered unclear as the people never knew exactly what they should do. There wasn’t a person who could have been named specialist in relations with the Russian Federation. Starting with the policy pursued by Vladimir Voronin and later by othrs cannot be called foreign policy or inheritance, or coherence. This can be called: I do what I want. “The person who took decisions after Vladimir Voronin, Vlad Filat, said one thing, Vladimir Plahotniuc said another thing. Everyone knows what Igor Dodon has done. This is not the foreign policy of a state. The Republic of Moldova does not have foreign policy in general and the Republic of Moldova does not have people who would represent it based on documents,” noted the expert.
The public debate “Reforming of Moldovan-Russian relations after presidential elections: problems, solutions, priorities” was the 161st installment of the series “Developing political culture through public debates” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
