The diplomatic year 2008: From projects to achievements
Andrei STRATAN,
Deputy Prime-minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration
European Integration
The promotion of European integration of the Republic of Moldova played with certitude a
significant role among the main objectives of Moldovan foreign policy during 2008. I
would say that at large European integration had been an objective of our whole society.
Unfortunately, the little space available makes me mainly use a telegraphic style of
describing the achievements, but every undertaken action is underpinned by substantial
efforts and potential of all institutions involved in this process.
By analyzing per ensemble, there can be ascertained that our relations with European
Union have registered constant progress and the RM - EU political dialogue agenda is
more extended and more ambitious. Therefore, more political developments, as well as
pragmatic ones, including visa facilitation regime, strengthening trade relations with EU,
establishment of sustainable cooperation mechanism in justice and home affairs area,
support to the process of implementation of internal reforms in the Republic of Moldova
could be mentioned in this respect.
Also, one should be mentioning the increasing support of European Union in the process of
settlement of the Transnistrian issue. Beside the political support for the re-engagement of
the negotiations in the “5+2” framework, the European Union committed to grant financial
assistance and necessary expertise for the implementation of the confidence building steps
between the two banks of the Nistru river, launched by the President in 2007.
Summarily, the RM – EU cooperation had materialized through the following concrete
achievements: the adoption by the EU of the political decision on negotiation with the
Republic of Moldova of a new more ambitious Agreement, which represents an important
moment in the process of European integration of the Republic of Moldova and opens a
new phase in our cooperation with EU; the increasing presence of the Republic of Moldova
on the political agenda of the EU; the 5 regional Presidencies in the Central and South-
Eastern Europe not only put the Republic of Moldova in front run of regional cooperation,
but also helped us to better understand the processes related to European integration;
gradual opening of the market of European Union, initially, through the Asymmetrical
Trade Preferences; benefiting of new mechanisms of financing and technical assistance of
the European Commission, particularly, “The support for good governance”, “The
Investment Facilitation Fund in the EU neighborhood” (the amount of EU assistance will
consist of 209 million Euros until 2013); conclusion of the Agreement of cooperation with
the European Investments Bank; institutionalization of the cooperation among the Republic
of Moldova and EU Agencies, especially EUROPOL and FRONTEX, carrying on of
actions for establishing cooperation with EUROJUST, ANTIDROG and CEPOL; entrance
into force of the Visa Facilitation Agreement with the EU; launching of the Information
and Communication Strategy for European Integration.
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Although, throughout 2008 a series of activities regarding cooperation with EU have been
carried out, I will refer in details only on several aspects, namely the most significant ones.
The new Agreement with the European Union. In June 2008 the European Commission
has initiated the process of preparation of draft mandate of negotiations on the future
agreement with the Republic of Moldova. Two rounds of EU-Moldova consultations took
place in July and October. During these consultations both sides have made an informal
exchange of views upon the main elements which should be included in the new EU-
Moldova Agreement.
On 13th of October 2008, the Council of the European Union has adopted the Conclusions
on the Republic of Moldova which confirmed the political decision of the EU to soon start
negotiations on an ambitious Agreement with the Republic of Moldova. In our opinion, the
new document must be an Association Agreement that would foresee: a clearly defined
path for the gradual integration of Moldova in the European Union; the gradual
establishment of a free trade regime with the European Union, through the negotiation of a
deep and comprehensive free trade agreement that would offer the prospect of access to the
freedoms of the European Union; sectoral integration in key areas of the European Union,
especially transport, energy, agriculture; recognition of the necessity of introducing a visa
free regime for Moldovan citizens in a short time.
Recently, the European Commission has adopted the draft mandate of negotiations on the
future agreement with the Republic of Moldova and has presented it to the EU member
states for examination. The adoption of the negotiation mandate is expected eventually in
February 2009. According to assessments, the negotiations itself should begin in the period
of the Czech Presidency of the EU (until June 2009).
In order to prepare for the negotiations on the new agreement with the European Union, we
are finalizing an initial scheme of the delegation of negotiators. We have also initiated the
discussions with EU partners to get the necessary support for the training of our experts.
Currently, there are premises for real negotiation, starting in summer of 2009, on the
Association Agreement with the European Union. Of course, we will try to obtain a clear
European prospective for our country.
We are perfectly aware that for European integration the implementation of internal
reforms, strengthening of democracy and rule of law according to the European standards
is a condition of utmost importance.
From this prospective, after the Progress Report of the European Commission will be
published, eventually in spring of 2009, in parallel with the process of negotiating of the
new Agreement with the EU, we will discuss with the European Commission a new
instrument for the implementation of the commitments of the Republic of Moldova, which
will replace EU – Moldova Action Plan and which will correspond with the new more
advanced and ambitious objectives.
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The visa policy. The issue of visa liberalization is one of the priorities of the agenda of our
dialogue with the European Union. From 1st of January 2008 the Agreement on visa
facilitation entered into force. The Common Visa Centre which was opened last year in
Chisinau has become a successful EU project that was taken over and implemented in the
Western Balkans. In the same context, we have launched in June the Mobility Partnership
with European Union. This new framework of cooperation with EU makes possible for us
to benefit from the assistance in various important areas, such as: strengthening the
relations with Diaspora; reinforcing the national system of migration management; border
management, fight against illegal migration.
At the same time, we acknowledge the fact that Moldovan citizens continue to face many
problems while trying to obtain a visa for the EU member states. First of all, I am speaking
about the over-bureaucratized procedures. Many EU member states have no consular
presence in Chisinau, which complicates even more the procedure for the visa application.
We informed the EU member states and the European Commission about all of these, as
well as about other real problems that need an urgent solution. Thus, we have recently
agreed in Brussels with our European partners to organize in the beginning of the next year
a special meeting of the EU consuls, in order to identify immediate solutions, thus to
gradually simplify the procedures of visa issuance for the Moldovan citizens. We will also
organize an extraordinary Meeting together with European Commission in order to revise
the stipulations of the Agreement on visa facilitation in prospective of introducing
additional simplifications.
On the other hand, in parallel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration
makes efforts in order to launch during 2009 the discussions with European partners
regarding the dialogue on visa liberalization. A special role in implementation of this
objective will be given to our cooperation with the future Czech EU Presidency.
Eastern Partnership. The Republic of Moldova had intense consultations with EU
member states and European Commission regrinding the initial elements included in the
Eastern Partnership project, launched on basis of the Polish-Swedish proposal. On the 3rd
of December, the European Commission presented to the EU member states the
Communication on Eastern Partnership. During the following months, the EU member
states will examine the proposals of the European Commission on the new consolidated
policy of the EU towards Eastern states. Thus, we will closely monitor the developments in
the process of examination of the European Commission’s Communication and we will
discuss possibilities to capitalize the objectives of Eastern Partnership with the EU member
states considering the strategic objectives of the Republic of Moldova. At this stage, we
can only welcome the attention of our European partners for strengthening the relations of
the EU with countries from the Eastern Europe and South Caucasus. However, we consider
that the Republic of Moldova will benefit a lot more by developing the bilateral relations
with EU. It is obvious, that the Republic of Moldova wants a spectrum of cooperation with
EU as concrete as possible in all the areas. Thus, given this, the framework of cooperation
is being analyzed by us from the angle of real possibilities for the political advancement in
the relations with the EU. Namely, these reasons determined our attitude towards this
initiative.
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A successful test. Regional Presidencies. The year 2008 was marked by an extremely
active involvement of the Republic of Moldova on the regional cooperation dimension,
which represents one of the priorities of the foreign policy of our country. Thus, during the
reference period, the Republic of Moldova exercised five regional Presidencies to the
following arrangements: South East European Cooperation Process (2008-2009), Central
European Initiative, CEFTA, Centre for Security Cooperation – RACVIAC and the South
Eastern Europe Health Network. All of these made up an important diplomatic exercise for
our country and was in line with the overall efforts undertaken by the Republic of Moldova
into the European integration process. By professionally exercising the above mentioned
Presidencies, our country has strengthen the image of a competitive and trustworthy
regional partner.
In the context of the Presidency to the Central European Initiative (CEI), Republic of
Moldova fully realized proposed objectives through successful implementation of CEI
repositioning process, active contribution to the development of the CEI-EU cooperation
(trilateral consultations RM-CEI-EU), consolidation of the relations of good collaboration
among the CEI Member States, through the implementation of common projects, as well as
by enhancing sectorial development through organization of multiple ministerial meetings,
namely Ministerial Meetings on Transport, Tourism, Economy and Agriculture, as well as
Summit Economic Forum, CEI Youth Forum, and two Scientific Conferences. During the
Moldovan Presidency CEI Committee of National Coordinators approved for financing
about 150 projects of member states, approximately 30 of them being addressed to our
country.
The Chairmanship of the Republic of Moldova to the Centre for Security Cooperation –
RACVIAC is marked by the institutionalization process of this regional arrangement.
Therefore, our country played a significant role in defining the new RACVIAC structure,
as well as the priorities, competencies and future cooperation framework of the respective
regional initiative. Furthermore, the Republic of Moldova undertakes the necessary efforts
directed to the finalizing of the negotiations on the Agreement on RACVIAC
institutionalization, which is supposed to be signed in Chisinau, in the framework of a
Meeting of the SEECP Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
Starting with 1st January 2008, the Republic of Moldova took over the Chairmanship to the
Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). In this context, a special attention was
paid to the establishment and launch of the CEFTA Secretariat, a successfully
accomplished objective. Also, during the CEFTA Chairmanship, the Republic of Moldova
hosted an ordinary meeting of the CEFTA Mix Committee and meetings of the 3 Sub-
Committees.
The Presidency of the Republic of Moldova to the South Eastern Europe Health Network
(SEEHN) was marked by the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the future
of SEEHN in the framework of the South East European Cooperation Process, as well of
the Declarations of Ministers of Health of the SEEHN “Strengthening regional capacities
for epidemic preparedness and response to implement International Health Regulations”
and “Long-term programme for regional collaboration and development in mental
health”. Furthermore, Chisinau hosted the 18th Meeting of the SEEHN, preceded by the
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Meeting of the SEEHN Executive Committee. Also, the Moldovan SEEHN Presidency
represented the SEEHN at the WHO Ministerial Conference (Tallin, 25-27th June 2008).
SEECP is an important political Forum in South Eastern Europe and the SEECP
Chairmanship-in-Office of the Republic of Moldova (May 2008-June 2009) has as the
main objective the advancement of the participating states towards the EU membership.
During 2008, a series of meetings and events were held in Chisinau, which ended up with
significant results for the entire region: the Memorandum on legal and judicial guarantees
against unlawful processing of personal data was signed by the SEECP Ministers of
Justice, a Joint Declaration of the SEECP Ministers of Home Affairs was adopted, the
adoption of the Declaration of the SEECP Health Ministers, as well as the Joint
Declaration of the of the Presidents of the SEECP Supreme Audit Institutions.
Furthermore, in the framework of the Moldovan SEECP Chairmanship, for the year 2009 a
wide range of political and sectorial meetings and events are envisaged, directed to
contribute to the advancement of the participating states in the European integration
process through the implementation of European standards and principles, facilitation of
movement of the citizens in the SEECP territory, development of the avia links among the
SEECP states, consolidation of the human capital, implementation of the best practices in
the e-SEE dimension, as well as the Moldovan SEECP Chairmanship plans to organize the
meeting of the SEECP Ministers pf Foreign Affairs and Summit of the SEECP Heads of
State and Government.
Priorities of the Chairmanship-in-Office of the Republic of Moldova to the SEECP are the
following: Strengthening of the dialogue between SEECP-EU and consolidation of the
European perspectives of the South East European countries; promoting the European
democratic values and standards as a firm development mechanism of the whole region;
strengthening and promoting SEECP on the international level, as a “united voice” of the
region and a reliable partner, aimed at fulfilling the global objective of the international
community; efficiency consolidation of the regional processes and initiatives in
cooperation with the SEECP participating states, EU, as well as with the donor countries
and relevant international organizations; cooperation with the Regional Cooperation
Council and other regional processes, initiatives and organizations, aimed at ensure
strengthening of the cooperation, stability and development in the South East European
region.
By concluding the strategic activities to be held on the regional level, it can be stated that
during 2009, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration will continue to
actively involve and promote the national interests within the regional initiatives, processes
and organizations, thought attracting benefits for the Republic of Moldova by means of
regional projects, programs and policies in the Central European and South East European
dimension, as well as in the wider Black Sea region.
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Multilateral dimension
UN and its Specialized Agencies. Our cooperation with the UN and its specialized
agencies has been carried out in accordance with the Action Plan for the achievement of
the mandate of the Republic of Moldova as a member of the ECOSOC and its subsidiary
bodies that our state is party to during 2008-2011, as well as the framework-plan for
cooperation activities with the UN and its specialized agencies, both documents serving as
planning, monitoring, information and reporting instruments for developing the RM-UN
relations.
In the context of these objectives, from the beginning of 2008 more than 50 national
delegations participated to the international forums, especially in the meetings of the UN
elective bodies where the Republic of Moldova holds the membership. Within these
forums, the national delegations delivered national statements on different issues of major
interest, contributed to the adoption of decisions on specific matters, and in some bodies,
led the activities and the decisional process in the capacity of President, as in the case of
the Commission for Social Development, or of Vice Chairman in the Commission for
Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and the Commission for Narcotic Drugs.
Significant contribution was provided to the work of the UN General Assembly session,
the ECOSOC, World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO) Executive Boards annual sessions and the FAO “World Food Security: the
Challenges of Climate Change and Bio-Energy Summit”.
A particular attention was paid to the advancement of cooperation with the other ECOSOC
subsidiary agencies that represent a major interest for our country like the UN
Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN
Population Fund (UNFPA).
During the referred period, with the support of UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF the
implementation of the project on emergency and technical assistance for the draught
consequences relief in Moldova continued, with a value of more than 10 million US
Dollars, and after the floods in July-August 2008, several UN Agencies represented in the
country initiated collection of about 2 million US dollars for the elimination of their
effects. In cooperation with the UNDP and other UN Agencies, other joint projects related
to the border assistance management (EUBAM - 20 million US dollars), human security
(over 3 million US Dollars) and integrated local development (approximately 13 million
US dollars) are being successfully implemented.
Recently, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) had approved
for implementation the project on the establishment of the Center for the Control of
Organic Production, and as a result of negotiations during the last months with the
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), on October 29, 2008, the
Financing Agreement was signed between the Republic of Moldova and IFAD with a
value of 18.950 million US dollars, in order to implement the Rural Financial and
Marketing Services Program.
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The activities of promoting the candidature of the Republic of Moldova for achieving the
membership to the Human Rights Council (HRC, for the period 2010-2013) and the
UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage (2010-2014) continued; at the same time, our country’s candidature was advanced
for the elections to the Executive Council of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Program (2010 for an unlimited term) and to the UN Committee for Programs and
Coordination (2010-2014).
It is worth mentioning that as a result of the steps taken, the Republic of Moldova was
elected and is now acting as the Vice President of the General Assembly and Vice
Chairman of the 4th Committee (special political issues) at the current, (63rd) UN General
Assembly session.
Council of Europe. The year 2008 can be considered an important one as regard to our
cooperation with the Council of Europe, to which the Republic of Moldova pays constant
attention. A number of coordinated actions have been undertaken in view of honoring the
commitments and obligations of Moldova to the Council of Europe. The progress achieved
by Moldova in this respect has been mentioned in the last Council of Europe Parliamentary
Assembly Resolution 1619 (2008), adopted last June, on functioning of democratic
institutions in Europe and progress in monitoring procedure, as well as in the Report on
honoring the commitments and obligations of Moldova to the Council of Europe, as a
result of the last September stocktaking visit by the Co-Rapporteurs of the PACE
Monitoring Committee.
A special emphasis has been made this year on further implementation of the two Joint
Programs of the Council of Europe and European Commission on independence and
transparency of judicial system and fight against corruption, amounting to 6,8 million
Euros. It is worth mentioning the launch of 5 new Joint Programs CoE-CE for 2008-2009,
aimed to support the free and fair elections, freedom of expression and of the media,
support to civil society, setting up an active network of independent non-judicial human
rights structures, promoting the rights of Roma minority. Last June, the CoE Committee of
Ministers adopted the Council of Europe Action Plan to support parliamentary elections in
the Republic of Moldova in 2009 that represents an ample program of activities.
Furthermore, the CoE Committee of Ministers adopted the Action Plan Republic of
Moldova: possible Council of Europe contribution to the implementation of confidence-
building measures in the context of the Transnistrian settlement.
As to the issue of fight against trafficking of human beings, I would like to stress the
setting up in December of a Group of experts for fight against trafficking of human beings
(GRETA), where a Moldovan representative has been elected too.
International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF). In the context of the cooperation
with this Organization, the Republic of Moldova joined with exceptional title the Project
“French language in the EU”. On October 13, in Chisinau, the Memorandum on the
implementation of the program for public officers from the Republic of Moldova to learn
the French language was signed, which will be launched at the beginning of 2009 and will
last for several years. During October 15-19, in Quebec, Canada, the Conference of
Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the XII Summit of La Francophonie took place, where the
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Moldovan delegation promoted the candidacy of our country as a host country of the XIV
Summit of La Francophonie in 2012 and obtained the inclusion in the Final political
Declaration of a separate paragraph on the Transnistrian conflict, where Heads of States
and Governments, members of the La Francophonie Organization, expressed their support
for the territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova and the peaceful settlement of the
Transnistrian conflict.
CIS. The Republic of Moldova dynamically cooperates within the Commonwealth of
Independent States (CIS), efficiently using this mechanism of multilateral cooperation. The
cooperation priority with the CIS member states is the economic area. Our country has
actively participated in the drafting of the Economic Development Strategy of CIS
members until 2020, adopted at the meeting of the Council of Heads of Governments,
which recently took place in Chisinau.
Thus, during 2008 the main attention has been focused in particular on the establishment of
a viable free trade zone, according to the WTO standards, and on increasing exports of our
national goods on the CIS member states market, as well as the liquidation of tax and
customs barriers hindering trade with states from the region.
Other important areas of cooperation were: strengthening energy security of country
members, by declaring 2009 the Year of Energetics in CIS, increasing interaction in the
area of transport - through the establishment of a network of transport corridors, raising the
efficiency of tariff policy and avoiding tax-administrative barriers in the realization of the
interstate transportation, development of cooperation in order to ensure food security
through the elaboration of an appropriate long-term Concept and preparation for Agrarian
CIS Forum to be held in Turkmenistan in 2009, creating an attractive investment climate
and normal conditions for capital free movement.
Particularly important is the cooperation in the fields of science and innovation, the CIS
States proposing to develop a Program of cooperation in this area until 2020. It should be
noted that the CIS states have held consultations on the possibilities and ways of
overcoming the consequences of the current economic and banking-financial crisis.
Regarding the collaboration in the humanitarian field, it is to be noted, for example, that on
the basis of experience gained by our country in the current year, 2009 was declared the
Year of Youth throughout the CIS region too, Moldova initiating the elaboration of the
Strategy for the development of the collaboration of youth from Community member
states. Our country will host in 2009 the IV Forum of the intellectuals from CIS and will
continue actions of commemoration of the 65th anniversary of Victory over fascism.
Separately, we must say that during 2009 our country will hold the Chairmanship to all
statutory bodies of CIS: The Council of Heads of States and Governments, Ministers of
Foreign Affairs and CIS Economic Council, as well as the working bodies. Ordinary
meetings of Presidents and Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the member states will take
place in Chisinau.
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Bilateral cooperation
On the bilateral level, during the year 2008 Moldova has been very dynamic with the EU
member states, these relations being expressed through a series of important visits at
different levels, meetings within international forums or inter-ministerial consultations.
The same thing is valid for the South-Eastern European states. It will not be a mistake, if
we state that the results we are having on the European integration dimension and regional
cooperation are a consequence of the very intense contacts on the bilateral level with the
European states.
USA. The Republic of Moldova pays a special attention to the relations with the United
States of America. The USA is a reliable partner of the Republic of Moldova, which
promotes with no reserves the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of the Republic of
Moldova, advocating the position of our country on the international level. The USA
supports the affirmation of the European vocation of Moldova in the dialogue with the
European partners. During the year 2008, the Moldovan-American dialogue has
continuously had a constant, open and constructive character. The cooperation with the
American authorities has been focused inclusively on settling the Transnistrian conflict and
the withdrawing of the foreign army forces from the territory of our country, the
participation of the Republic of Moldova within the USA Program Millennium Challenges,
the cooperation within different regional initiatives, fighting human beings trafficking,
corruption, as well as reforming the security and state defense sectors.
Referring to the participation of the Republic of Moldova in the framework of the USA
Program Millennium Challenges, it deserves to be mentioned the performances of the
Government in implementing the Preliminary Plan on fighting corruption, as well as the
shared efforts, undertaken for the elaboration and presentation, at the beginning of the
current year, of the state suggestion of full financial support from the Corporation’s funds.
Due to the fact that the American authorities have positively appreciated the Government’s
policy on promoting the democratic, economic and social reforms in our country, it was
possible to include our country in the program of full assistance from the Corporation.
Russian Federation. I would like to underline the ascendant character of the relations of
the Republic of Moldova with the Russian Federation, with which we have a strategic
partnership. Russia is one of our main trade-economic partners, having a key-role in the
negotiation process regarding the Transnistrian conflict. During this year, there has been
developed an intense political dialogue at high level authorities. Several meetings of the
Presidents of the RM and RF took place place, during which practically the entire range of
issues concerning the relations between our countries has been examined, there have been
organized visits to Chisinau of the Presidents of both Chambers of the Russian legislative
power, mutual visits of the Heads of Government. In the same context are registered the
contacts between the MFAEI of RM and the MFA of RF, several rounds of inter-
ministerial consultations being organized this year, including also the consular field. This
dynamics of the bilateral relations will be continuously developed, presently the necessary
arrangements for organizing the visit to Chisinau of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Russia, Mr. S. Lavrov, at the beginning if the next year being finalized. Recently, the
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economic collaboration Program between our countries for 2009-2020 was signed, as well
as the Program of humanitarian collaboration for 2009-2010 is being finalized. All I have
mentioned regarding the relations with the RF once again confirms the availability of our
country to mantain lasting mutually advantageous relations with this country. More than
this, we have special close links among our people, cultural exchanges, religious affinities
we are very attached to. We are sure that our position regarding the necessity of settling the
Transnistrian conflict is understood in Moscow.
Neighbours. During 2008, there has been developed the cooperation with the neighboring
countries Ukraine and Romania. With these both states there has existed a high level
dialogue, in the framework of which there have been tackled important subjects on
bilateral cooperation. Thus, in regard to the cooperation with Ukraine, it is important that
on February 1, 2008 "The Agenda for solving priority questions of the Moldovan-
Ukrainian relations" was signed, related to which there were held several consultations,
meetings and activities. In particular, I would like to emphasize the cooperation with
Ukraine on trilateral EU-Moldova-Ukraine level, being taken into account our common
aspirations of European integration. The activity of the European Union Border Assistance
Mission (EUBAM) is just one of the many examples of our successful bilateral
cooperation. Regarding the 2009 agenda, it comprises several current issues, including
issues of ownership and demarcation of the border state, as well as the cooperation in
energy field.
Moldova also pays an increased attention to the cooperation with Romania. The Moldovan
side appreciates the support that Romania grants to our country in the European integration
process, as well as the importance of the trade volume and economic exchanges. The
meetings at different levels that have occurred during the current year are serve as a proof
that both our countries are interested to strengthen the bilateral cooperation and to reach new
dimensions in the spirit of modern European requirements. We are expecting that the new
Government of Romania, created after the recent parliamentary elections, will start its
activity and we hope that this will help us to reactivate the process of signing two very
important documents - the political treaty and border treaty.
Cooperation with other geographical areas. In this respect, it has to be mentioned, at
first, the constant ascendance in the relations with the People’s Republic of China, an
important partner of our country. Japan traditionally offers a significant support for the
economic reforms in Moldova through various social programs and programs of support
for the small and medium business, especially in agricultural field. It remains equally
important the bilateral collaboration with the State of Israel, which supports the
implementation of projects in agriculture and trade. We are maintaining the active
Moldovan-Turkish dialogue, as well as the dialogues with other states.
National security as a priority of the foreign policy
MFAEI has developed an intensive diplomatic activity in order to obtain the support of the
international community for promoting the "the package" proposals for settling the
Transnistrian issue, with respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic
of Moldova. The Ministry worked on promoting on international level the initiatives of the
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President of the Republic of Moldova on strengthening confidence and security between
both sides of the river Nistru and on creating favorable conditions needed to achieve
progress in the reglementation process. We appealed to the European institutions and the
EU member states for a more active involvement in ensuring the respect of the rights and
fundamental freedoms in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova.
In the framework of the consultations with foreign partners, as well as in the framework of
relevant international fora, the MFAEI always pleaded for the fulfillment of all
engagements assumed by international actors in the process of settling the Transnistrian
issue.
In the context of the undertaken efforts for strengthening the security of the state, the
MFAEI continuously searched to safeguard the Moldovan-Ukrainian border. During the
current year, this subject has been a priority in our dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities
and has had a central role in the framework of our cooperation with the European Union
Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM). As a result of the practical implementation of the
Moldovan-Ukrainian understandings in the customs field, the constitutional structures of
the Republic of Moldova registered 487 companies from the Transnistrian region. The
actions of the Government of the Republic of Moldova have been appreciated by the
EUBAM and the European Commission. It has to be mentioned the positive impact on the
reintegration of the economic space of the Autonomous Commercial Preferences offered
by the European Union, from which the economic agents of the Transnistrian region are
also benefiting. This positive and encouraging experience completely justifies the request
of extending the EUBAM mandate for the next two years.
In the framework of the recent reunion of the Ministerial Council of the OSCE in Helsinki,
the MFAEI concentrated its efforts to obtain the support of the member states of the OSCE
for the objectives of the RM in the process of the conflict settling. We have efficiently
worked with all the involved actors, promoting a favorable project, in compliance with the
interests of our country, to the Declaration of the MC regarding Moldova. Regretfully, the
Declaration on Moldova and the Political Declaration were not adopted.
Consolidating the legal framework
In the referred period, a special attention in the activity of the MFAEI was paid to
consolidating the legal framework on bilateral and multilateral dimensions. In this context,
I would like to mention the activities promoted with the goal of adjusting the national
legislation to the EU one – there have been already harmonized or are in the final stage of
adopting a series of normative acts in such fields as agriculture, environment, health, social
assistance, etc. 16 multilateral international treaties have been signed and – 6 financial
agreements were enforced. I would in particular mention the signing on November 20,
2008, of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Corporation Millennium
Challenges and the Government of the RM. As well, there have been finalized the
necessary procedures for the enforcement of the 36 multilateral international treaties. As
referring to the bilateral dimension, during the current year, 49 treaties in various fields
there have been signed, which substantially contributed to the consolidation of the
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cooperation with the states of the world. In the current year, the negotiations on more than
66 projects of treaties with different states have been initiated.
***
Resuming the activities on the diplomatic plane undertaken up to the moment, we could
resume that the year 2008 has been a year with many notorious results. The Moldovan
diplomacy focused its efforts towards promoting the national interests of our country
abroad, developing harmonic and mutually advantageous relations with the states of the
world, protecting the interests of our citizens living abroad, as a priority standing of course
the actions related to the European integration of the Republic of Moldova. Consequently,
a very useful experience has been accumulated for reaching the goals of the Moldovan
foreign policy in 2009, maintaing the continuity, and in this is the way we shall materialize
the strategic objectives in the interest of our country.
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