The politicians’ behavior and attitude is determined by the lack of reaction on the part of society, because the people do not penalize them, said expert in international relations and security Valeriu Ostalep. “The politicians dare to ignore us because we do not penalize them. This primitivism of the foreign policy is due to the politicians and, more seriously, to the rulers because not even the minister of foreign affairs has courage to come out and say: “Dear people, the foreign policy is of the state, not of a party! We need a very clear and transparent agenda in our relations with the Russian Federation,” the expert stated in IPN’s public debate “Reforming of Moldovan-Russian relations after presidential elections: problems, solutions, priorities”.
Valeriu Ostalep said the problem of parties that come to power derives from the slogans they use and propose in the foreign policy in order to come to power. Many of the politicians, when they seize power, realize very well that many of the messages promoted by them in the election campaigns are too narrow or are counterproductive, but they are hostage to the own actions.
The expert noted that the players of the political left, including President Igor Dodon and the Party of Socialists, influence the Moldovan-Russian relations. These try to monopolize the sector, mimicking the so-called “protection” of the interests of those who speak Russian and of the “statehood supporters”. If the official in charge from the ministry of foreign affairs had decently explained that there is coherence in the international relations and there are documents based on which Moldova’s foreign policy is developed whenever a party disseminates a lie or fake news or misinforms, something like this wouldn’t have been possible.
According to Valeriu Ostalep, no progress has been made in the Transnistrian settlement process through the angle of the Moldovan-Russian relations. Since 2005, there was held no public discussion on the issue. The main principle of developing the state – the principle of inclusion – fully disappeared from the agenda of Moldova’s administrative bodies. “In our country, they have promoted the principle of exclusion during these years – when you say something against and criticize someone, you are excluded and limited at all levels,” said the expert.
Asked if there is a connection between the current political situation in the country and the reformation of the Moldovan-Russian relations after the presidential elections, Valeriu Ostalep said it is evident that the weaknesses in the relations with the Russian Federation will be used by this to the detriment of the Republic of Moldova and by political players, such as Igor Dodon or the Party of Socialists. “Our relations with the Russian Federation will be affected and will be used in the political agenda of the Republic of Moldova with a negative connotation,” he stated.
Valeriu Ostalep noted President-elect Maia Sandu is not a specialist in foreign policy and he thus recommended her to listen to the discussions held within this debate at IPN. Before taking any decision, the President needs to improve her knowledge of the foreign policy and the methods, actions and strategies used in international relations. Maia Sandu should also focus on information security as this problem affects Moldova’s security.
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.
