Press Release

on the organization of the debate “The Moldova-Ukraine relationship amid changing geopolitical and regional security circumstances”, the 31st 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”
 

It would perhaps not be an overstatement to say that the subject of the 31st debate, as formulated in this or another way, has been lately troubling the greatest part of Moldovans if not every single one. And this is perfectly explicable, considering that in neighboring Ukraine, in close proximity to our common home and everyone's individual home, such events happen that can cause concern or maybe even apprehension – for oneself, for one's children, for the country and for our current and future life.

Notable for this situation is that the developments in Ukraine are judged within the Moldovan society very differently, in a way that can further and deeper divide society on other crucial issues. This is why our discussion aimed, among other, to clarify some issues, including political ones, to help the members of the Moldovan society define their stance on this problem.

While many issues are yet to be elucidated, one conclusion about the current situation is crystal-clear: major changes have occurred in our region, and maybe even in the entire world, which will affect everything, including bilateral relations between our countries as both will need to adapt to this changes in order to exist together in harmony (or maybe survive?)

The speakers in the debate agreed that, given the situation in the neighboring country, which is facing a political, economic and military crisis, the Moldovan-Ukrainian relations should be reviewed and even re-formed. The Moldovan authorities should learn the lessons experience by Ukraine so as not to allow a similar scenario to happen in Moldova.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Moldova Serhii Pyrozhkov said the Moldovan-Ukrainian relations in the new international realities must be re-formed. “Ukraine and Moldova are to sign the Association Agreement with the EU. Both of the states chose the European course as their foreign policy vector. This is a reality that must be emphasized and that will enable us to strengthen the relations. Ukraine found itself in a difficult situation. It was subject to military aggression and its territories were annexed. This should also serve as a reason for reviewing the bilateral relations. I think the international security system should also be reviewed. The created situation showed that the current system must not only be repaired, but also seriously reviewed with the involvement of the international community,” said the diplomat.

Head of the Institute for Political Analysis and Consultancy “Politicon” Anatol Taranu also considers that the bilateral relations should be re-formed given the crisis in Ukraine. “Moldova is situated in the immediate vicinity of a crisis zone and it should adjust its foreign policy. Ukraine is an important partner. It is our neighbor and it plays an important role in the Transnistrian conflict settlement. Moldova must take the regional changes into account. A place should be found in a new security system. This would be the key element in the re-formation of the relations,” said the expert. He added that the most important thing is to identify a new form of cooperation. He believes that the relations already started to be
re-formed.

Executive director of the Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT Igor Botan said that the relations between the two states over the last ten years were positive and developed continuously. “Now Moldova and Ukraine have common economic partners and, regretfully, a common center of provocations. The two countries never intended to stop cooperating within the CIS. They only oriented themselves to the EU. Provocations appeared when Ukraine was to sign the Association Agreement with the EU and Moldova was to initial it. The bilateral relations should be fostered and extended in such situations,” he stated.

The Agency published 8 news stories on the debate (see the English version of www.ipn.md): on 06.06.14, “Moldovan-Ukrainian relations need to be re-formed, IPN debate” - http://www.ipn.md/en/integrare-europeana/62357; “5+2 format of negotiations should be revised, opinions” - http://www.ipn.md/en/dosar-transnistrean/62361; on 07.06.14, “Moldova is lucky not to have Ukraine’s former rulers, Ukrainian ambassador” - http://www.ipn.md/en/politica/62371; “Anatol Taranu: Moldova and Ukraine face an identity crisis” - http://www.ipn.md/en/special/62373; “Transnistrian conflict must be solved in concert with regional security issues, Igor Botan” - http://www.ipn.md/en/dosar-transnistrean/62375; on 09.06.14: “New security system is needed in Europe, IPN debate” - http://www.ipn.md/en/politica/62385; „Citizens will convince themselves that association with EU is not a danger for them, IPN debate” - http://www.ipn.md/en/special/6228http://www.ipn.md/en/integrare-europeana/62384; ““Transnistrization” of Ukraine is used as a method of pressure on Kiev, opinions” - http://www.ipn.md/en/politica/62386.

Valeriu Vasilica, director of IPN