Foreign Policy Association together with Friedrich­Ebert-Stiftung offer you a newsletter on foreign policy and European integration issues of the Republic of Moldova. The newsletter is part of the “Foreign Policy Dialogue” joint Project. NEWSLETTER MONTHLY BULLETIN AUGUST 2018 NR.6(148) Synthesis and Foreign Policy Debates The newsletter is developed by Sorina Ştefârţă, editor-coordinator TOPICS OF THE EDITION: 1. Dumitru Diacov, honourable chairman of the Democratic Party of Moldova: For many years to come, both Moscow and Bucharest and other powers will be having interests here 2. Editorial by Victoria Bucătaru, executive director of APE: 27 years of Transition, 27 years of Uncertainty 3. Vasile Nedelciuc, deputy in the first Parliament and one of the authors of the Declaration of Independence: Today the mood has only one name: Leaving 4. Opinion of Parties: Republic of Moldova and its 27 Years of Independence: Expectations vs. Reality News in Brief “Moldova is stronger in its international relations”, said Andrian Candu, speaker of Moldovan parliament, at the end of the Parliament’s spring session. According to him, our country is no longer so vulnerable, while the external relations are pragmatic, based on respect and cooperation. In this context, he reminded of the US Congress Resolution that the United States supports the territorial integrity and political sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia and reaffirms its support for the democratically elected governments and the people of the three countries. He also spoke about creation of the Parliamentary Assembly of Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine(whose first session will take place in September in Georgia), but also about energy security, highlighting in this context the two interconnection projects- to the electricity from Romania and the Iasi-Ungheni­Chisinau gas pipeline. As for economic relations, the speaker said that, currently, more than 65% of exports go to the EU countries, as a result of which we are no longer dependent on a single market dominated by political decisions. Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Iurie Leanca, paid an official visit to Copenhagen in August, where he reiterated the determination of our country to maintain the European integration course, and to continue and deepen the reforms in the economic, social and justice spheres. In addition, he reconfirmed Moldova’s willingness to get a clear European perspective, demanding Denmark’s support for this. Among the major topics discussed were the resumption of the Danish technical assistance to the Republic of Moldova, support of Chisinau’s efforts to withdraw Russian troops and resolve the Transnistrian conflict, as well as provision of EU assistance for the judiciary reform. The Danish officials have shown willingness to increase European political and technical support to our country. In particular, they noted the positive impact that the EU-Moldova Association Agreement and the Free Trade Area had on the Moldovan economy and society. The deepening and widening of political and commercial-economic dialogue with India, the initiation of cooperation partnerships in various fields, as well as the opening of a diplomatic mission to New Delhi were discussed with Indian officials by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Tudor Ulianovschi, during the working visit to India- the first visit of a high-level official from the Republic of Moldova in the last 25 years. The agenda included meetings with the Indian counterpart, Sushma Swaraj, with other officials, as well as with the leadership of Indian corporations and business representatives, etc. The sides have discussed the intensification of commercial-economic cooperation and the consolidation of bilateral legal framework, including the completion of the draft agreements on health, civil aviation, and cybernetic sector. The Republic of Moldova and India established diplomatic relations on 12 March 1992. According to the foreign office, in 2018, on the territory of the Republic of Moldova there were registered 308 Indian citizens with temporary residence permits, 277 of whom arrived here for studies. One Independence, Several Aspirations Sorina Ștefârță Slowly and sometimes in an uncertain way, the Republic of Moldova has reached its 27th anniversary of Independence. This day has traditionally become a moment to take stock of successes and shortcomings. It is also a day when journalists are trying to find out, again and again, if it was good what has been done in these years and what our fateful mistakes have been. Because we all understand that what we wanted“then” is not really what we are having “now”. We understand, at the same time, that the aspirations were also different – the interviews with the protagonists of the current edition of the newsletter, Dumitru Diacov and Vasile Nedelciuc, is a confirmation to that, likewise the Independence itself has different connotations. For some it means people. For others- the chance of a successful career or maybe its end. For me, Independence has a name- Vasile Pasaniuc. He was chief doctor in Jora de Mijloc, and later- chief doctor of Orhei district, and then he won in an open confrontation, not on party lists, the deputy mandate in the first Parliament of the Republic of Moldova. Above all, he was a great personality and a great friend. On 27 August 1991, although he had been fighting for over half a year a merciless cancer, he left the hospital and went to Parliament, then to the Great National Assembly Square to sign the Declaration of Independence. Then he got into the car and came to visit us in Jora de Mijloc to bring us the big news. He was so happy and so excited that we all had begun to believe he was going to live. But he died in less than two months. And that day of 27 August 1991 was the last day I saw him alive and happy to be part of making our history. In the years that followed, it wasn’t just once that I was wondering,“What would Pasaniuc say?”. In one case or another, in one crisis or another. I’m also wondering about it now, watching the political disgrace from Orhei and Jora de Mijloc. But that we cannot know... We can only hope that in the time of protests and parallel celebrations, there was at least one who remembered those due to whom this Independence was possible. Those who 27 years ago faced pain and came to the Great National Assembly Square to legitimize a country they wanted to be free, a country with worthy and free people. * Please note that all articles were made by August 27. Monthly Bulletin, Nr. 6(148), August 2018 64, Sciusev str. MD-2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, Tel-Fax:+373 22 21 09 86 Website: www.ape.md E-mail: office@ape.md