Politics
Moldovan Foreign Policy Should not be Decided by Transnistria
Reading Time: 4 minutesMoldovan Foreign Policy Should not be Decided by Transnistria
Author Nicu Popescu
It is somehow paradoxical, but the truth is that starting with the declaration of its independence, Moldova’s foreign policy has not been architected neither by Mircea Snegur, nor Petru Lucinschi, nor Vladimir Voronin, but by Igor Smirnov. Throughout all these fifteen years, Transnistria was and remains the central element in major decisions taken by Moldova. If Moldova wants to remain independent and to become a full-fledged and prosperous European state, this should be changed.
The list of strategic oscillations of Moldova, inspired by the Transnistrian problem, is a long one. Adherence to the CIS, Moldovan Neutrality and the unwillingness to become a NATO member. Endless ambiguities in the relations with Ukraine and Romania. More recently, the rapprochement between Moldova and Russia in 2001-2003 was also caused mostly by the Transnistrian problem. Later on, the Euro-enthusiasm proclaimed by Chisinau, following the debacle over the Kozak Memorandum in November 2003, was also caused by the Transnistrian problem. The entire closeness between Moldova and EU, from 2003 till 2006, was based, to a large extent, on the hope that EU would resolve the Transnistrian conflict, and not on the desire to undertake the necessary reforms and democratize the country. The tensions with Russia over the 2006 also stem from the Transnistrian factor. The sudden rediscovery of the merits of a strategic partnership with Russia at the end of 2006, embarking on the course towards Kozak Memorandum 2, the surprising flexibility regarding the Russian military presence shown by Chisinau at the Brussels OSCE Ministerial meeting in December also came from the Transnistrian obsession. Perhaps, in 3 or 5 years, Moldova, once again, will try to distance itself from Russia because Moscow will behave with Moldova like it behaves today with Belarus. This type of oscillations could last for 20 years, but each time Moldovan leeway narrows and, finally, this lack of foreign strategic orientation of Moldova, sooner or later, will lead to the collapse of the Moldovan project of independence. Moldova has already become one of the most isolated states in Europe. Relations with absolutely all important foreign strategic partners are very ambiguous and not at all sincere.
At the internal level, any opinion poll from Chisinau shows that the Transnistrian problem is hardly situated on the 8th or 9th place among the priority concerns of Moldova citizens. But the political elites persist in their obsession with Transnistria. The most discussed issue by Moldovan newspapers and TV channels, NGOs and political parties, ministries and departments, conferences and research projects is Transnistria. Corruption, unemployment, economic problems, investment environment, lack of security, corrupted or politically influenced trials, abuses of police and bureaucracy, the incapacity of the government to implement the EU-Moldova Action Plan etc. occupy a much smaller place in the public debate then the Transnistrian problem. This is a very convenient thing for the Government. With a tough word mentioned against Smirnov, our governance can calm down the entire civil sector and the political opposition for many days to come.
It is time for the Republic of Moldova to emancipate from Transnistria both in domestic and foreign policy. In a way, Moldova should declare its independence from the Transnistrian problem and stop defining its foreign policy through the prism of the Transnistrian problem. Not Igor Smirnov should define the foreign policy of Moldova.
The EU Takes a Closer View Towards Moldova
The solution is that Moldova should concentrate on its domestic priorities of European integration, without declarations against or in flavor of the European Union, Russia, Ukraine or Romania. It is necessary that the entire political attention be concentrated on the implementation of the EU-Moldova Action Plan. After a period of relative political passivity, EU’s policy towards Moldova starts getting a more serious contour. From 2007, Brussels announced the doubling of its assistance for Chisinau. In this way, Moldova becomes the second largest recipient per capita of financial support in the EU neighborhood. From 2007, the number of the students’ scholarships for Moldova and other EU neighboring countries will increase radically. Moreover, the EU put aside 1 billion euro, which will be distributed to the reforms leaders’ countries from the EU neighborhood. If Moldova speeds up its reforms process, the EU support, including the financial one, will increase. The discussion between Moldova and EU regarding visa and commercial issues are in an advanced phase. And the recent donor conference promised Moldova, for the next three years, more funds than Moldova got from 1992 till 2006. The impact of these measures won’t be immediate, but Moldova can achieve substantial successes. For example, from 2001 till 2005 Moldova-EU commercial relations knew the highest level of growth among all the South-East European states, except Romania and Bulgaria. The Moldovan commercial links with EU increased with 51%, Serbian with 50%, Albanian with 23% and Macedonian with 9%. This is a proof that positive effects could be achieved if we work seriously.
Psychological Dependency on the Transnistrian Problem should be Tackled
The Transnistrian problem will not be abandoned. By the contrary, the support for projects aimed at the region’s civil society should be enhanced. The EUBAM will continue its activity. Transnistrian companies registered in Chisinau will get used with new rules of the game and with their growing access perspectives to the EU market. Anyway, Chisinau should understand that the Transnistrian problem cannot be resolved by a simple cavalry attack. These kinds of short run assaults – from the Memorandum Kozak 1 or even 2, to the “new customs regime” or the change of the negotiations format – cannot change the substance of the Transnistrian situation. A long term engagement is needed, to Europeanize and to reintegrate Moldova.
It is high time for Moldova to concentrate on its own economic and political problems. By resolving these problems, Moldova will bring closer the moment of the country’s reunification. Only a Moldova dressed in a prosperous and democratic European style has the chance to win the Transnistrian bet. The necessary preparations for Moldova are well described in the Action Plan. Even if the EU has many students, it is by far the best possible trainer. The psychological dependency on the Transnistrian problem should be resolved. The actual Government of the Republic of Moldova and the one after 2008 have all chances to become the architects of a European Moldova, whose policy is decided in Chisinau and not in Tiraspol. — Nicu Popescu, Research Fellow, Centre for European Policy Studies, Brussels. Translated from Romanian by APE (G.S.). // Flux
A new football club has earned a leading place in the UEFA Champions League groups and starred in the headlines of worldwide football news yesterday. The Football Club Sheriff Tiraspol claimed a win with the score 2-1 against Real Madrid on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. That made Sheriff Tiraspol the leader in Group D of the Champions League, including the football club in the groups of the most important European interclub competition for the first time ever.
International media outlets called it a miracle, a shock and a historic event, while strongly emphasizing the origin of the team and the existing political conflict between the two banks of the Dniester. “Football club from a pro-Russian separatist enclave in Moldova pulls off one of the greatest upsets in Champions League history,” claimed the news portals. “Sheriff crushed Real!” they said.
Moldovans made a big fuss out of it on social media, splitting into two groups: those who praised the team and the Republic of Moldova for making history and those who declared that the football club and their merits belong to Transnistria – a problematic breakaway region that claims to be a separate country.
Both groups are right and not right at the same time, as there is a bunch of ethical, political, social and practical matters that need to be considered.
Is it Moldova?
First of all, every Moldovan either from the right or left bank of Dniester (Transnistria) is free to identify himself with this achievement or not to do so, said Vitalie Spranceana, a sociologist, blogger, journalist and urban activist. According to him, boycotting the football club for being a separatist team is wrong.
At the same time, “it’s an illusion to think that territory matters when it comes to football clubs,” Spranceana claimed. “Big teams, the ones included in the Champions League, have long lost their connection both with the countries in which they operate, and with the cities in which they appeared and to which they linked their history. […] In the age of globalized commercial football, teams, including the so-called local ones, are nothing more than global traveling commercial circuses, incidentally linked to cities, but more closely linked to all sorts of dirty, semi-dirty and cleaner cash flows.”
What is more important in this case is the consistency, not so much of citizens, as of politicians from the government who have “no right to celebrate the success of separatism,” as they represent “the national interests, not the personal or collective pleasures of certain segments of the population,” believes the political expert Dionis Cenusa. The victory of FC Sheriff encourages Transnistrian separatism, which receives validation now, he also stated.
“I don’t know how it happens that the “proud Moldovans who chose democracy”, in their enthusiasm for Sheriff Tiraspol’s victory over Real Madrid, forget the need for total and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria!” declared the journalist Vitalie Ciobanu.
Nowadays, FC Sheriff Tiraspol has no other choice than to represent Moldova internationally. For many years, the team used the Moldovan Football Federation in order to be able to participate in championships, including international ones. That is because the region remains unrecognised by the international community. However, the club’s victory is presented as that of Transnistria within the region, without any reference to the Republic of Moldova, its separatist character being applied in this case especially.
Is it a victory?
In fact, FC Sheriff Tiraspol joining the Champions League is a huge image breakthrough for the Transnistrian region, as the journalist Madalin Necsutu claimed. It is the success of the Tiraspol Club oligarchic patrons. From the practical point of view, FC Sheriff Tiraspol is a sports entity that serves its own interests and the interests of its owners, being dependent on the money invested by Tiraspol (but not only) oligarchs.
Here comes the real dilemma: the Transnistrian team, which is generously funded by money received from corruption schemes and money laundering, is waging an unequal fight with the rest of the Moldovan football clubs, the journalist also declared. The Tiraspol team is about to raise 15.6 million euro for reaching the Champions League groups and the amounts increase depending on their future performance. According to Necsutu, these money will go directly on the account of the club, not to the Moldovan Football Federation, creating an even bigger gab between FC Sheriff and other football clubs from Moldova who have much more modest financial possibilities.
“I do not see anything useful for Moldovan football, not a single Moldovan player is part of FC Sheriff Tiraspol. I do not see anything beneficial for the Moldovan Football Federation or any national team.”
Is it only about football?
FC Sheriff Tiraspol, with a total estimated value of 12.8 million euros, is controlled by Victor Gusan and Ilya Kazmala, being part of Sheriff Holding – a company that controls the trade of wholesale, retail food, fuels and medicine by having monopolies on these markets in Transnistria. The holding carries out car trading activities, but also operates in the field of construction and real estate. Gusan’s people also hold all of the main leadership offices in the breakaway region, from Parliament to the Prime Minister’s seat or the Presidency.
The football club is supported by a holding alleged of smuggling, corruption, money laundering and organised crime. Moldovan media outlets published investigations about the signals regarding the Sheriff’s holding involvement in the vote mobilization and remuneration of citizens on the left bank of the Dniester who participated in the snap parliamentary elections this summer and who were eager to vote for the pro-Russian socialist-communist bloc.
Considering the above, there is a great probability that the Republic of Moldova will still be represented by a football club that is not identified as being Moldovan, being funded from obscure money, growing in power and promoting the Transnistrian conflict in the future as well.
Photo: unknown
Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Natalia Gavrilita, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nicu Popescu, pay an official visit to Brussels, between September 27-28, being invited by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles.
Today, Prime Minister had a meeting with Charles Michel, President of the European Council. The Moldovan PM thanked the senior European official for the support of the institution in strengthening democratic processes, reforming the judiciary and state institutions, economic recovery and job creation, as well as increasing citizens’ welfare. Natalia Gavrilita expressed her confidence that the current visit laid the foundations for boosting relations between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, so that, in the next period, it would be possible to advance high-level dialogues on security, justice and energy. Officials also exchanged views on priorities for the Eastern Partnership Summit, to be held in December.
“The EU is open to continue to support the Republic of Moldova and the ambitious reform agenda it proposes. Moldova is an important and priority partner for us,” said Charles Michel.
Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita also met with Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for Economy, expressing her gratitude for the support received through the OMNIBUS macro-financial assistance program. The two officials discussed the need to advance the recovery of money from bank fraud, to strengthen sustainable mechanisms for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in Moldova, and to standardize the customs and taxes as one of the main conditions for deepening cooperation with the EU in this field.
Additionally, Prime Minister spoke about the importance of the Eastern Partnership and the Deep Free Trade Agreement, noting that the Government’s policies are aimed at developing an economic model aligned with the European economic model, focused on digitalization, energy efficiency and the green economy.
A common press release of the Moldovan Prime Minister with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles, took place today, where the agenda of Moldova’s reforms and the main priorities to focus on in the coming months were presented: judiciary reform; fighting COVID-19 pandemic; promoting economic recovery and conditions for growth and job creation; strengthening state institutions and resilience of the country.
“I am here to relaunch the dialogue between my country and the European Union. Our partnership is strong, but I believe there is room for even deeper cooperation and stronger political, economic and sectoral ties. I am convinced that this partnership is the key to the prosperity of our country and I hope that we will continue to strengthen cooperation.”
The Moldovan delegation met Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice. Tomorrow, there are scheduled common meetings with Oliver Varhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Adina Valean, European Commissioner for Transport and Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy.
Prime Minister will also attend a public event, along with Katarina Mathernova, Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.
Photo: gov.md
Politics
Promo-LEX about Maia Sandu’s UN speech: The president must insist on appointing a rapporteur to monitor the situation of human rights in Transnistria
The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, pays an official visit to New York, USA, between September 21-22. There, she participates in the work of the United Nations General Assembly. According to a press release of the President’s Office, the official will deliver a speech at the tribune of the United Nations.
In this context, the Promo-LEX Association suggested the president to request the appointment of a special rapporteur in order to monitor the situation of human rights in the Transnistrian region. According to Promo-LEX, the responsibility for human rights violations in the Transnistrian region arises as a result of the Russian Federation’s military, economic and political control over the Tiraspol regime.
“We consider it imperative to insist on the observance of the international commitments assumed by the Russian Federation regarding the withdrawal of the armed forces and ammunition from the territory of the country,” the representatives of Promo-LEX stated. They consider the speech before the UN an opportunity “to demand the observance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the Russian Federation with reference to this territory which is in its full control.”
“It is important to remember about the numerous cases of murder, torture, ill-treatment, forced enlistment in illegal military structures, the application of pseudo-justice in the Transnistrian region, all carried out under the tacit agreement of the Russian Federation. These findings stem from dozens of rulings and decisions issued by the European Court of Human Rights, which found that Russia is responsible for human rights violations in the region.”
The association representatives expressed their hope that the president of the country would give priority to issues related to the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region and would call on relevant international actors to contribute to guaranteeing fundamental human rights and freedoms throughout Moldova.
They asked Maia Sandu to insist on the observance of the obligation to evacuate the ammunition and the military units of the Russian Federation from the territory of the Republic of Moldova, to publicly support the need for the Russian Federation to implement the ECtHR rulings on human rights violations in the Transnistrian region, and to request the appointment of an UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur to monitor the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova.
**
The Promo-LEX Association concluded that 14 out of 25 actions planned within the National Action Plan for the years 2018–2022 concerning respecting human rights in Transnistria were not carried out by the responsible authorities.
The association expressed its concern and mentioned that there are a large number of delays in the planned results. “There is a lack of communication and coordination between the designated institutions, which do not yet have a common vision of interaction for the implementation of the plan.”
Promo-LEX requested the Government of the Republic of Moldova to re-assess the reported activities and to take urgent measures, “which would exclude superficial implementation of future activities and increase the level of accountability of the authorities.”
Photo: peacekeeping.un.org
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