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 JUNE 2019 NR.6(160) Synthesis and Foreign Policy Debates The newsletter is developed by Sorina Ştefârţă, editor-coordinator TOPICS OF THE EDITION: 1. Nicu Popescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova: ”My mandate and that of the government is to win something for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova” 2. Editorial by Viorica Zaharia, Chair of the Press Council, editor-in-chief of Moldovacurata.md portal: ”Waiting for justice and... for the critical mass to produce change...” 3. Paul Ivan, Senior analyst with the European Policy Centre: ”The card castle which is rapidly collapsing shows how fragile the system is…” 4. Expert opinion. Dionis Cenusa: "Anti-oligarchic spring" or temporary illusions in Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia” News in Brief Less than one month after swearing into office, the Maia Sandu Government took several steps to restore and strengthen the country's dialogue with the European Union. During her first visit to Brussels, the head of the Cabinet of Ministers had several meetings with senior EU officials, who assured her of the readiness both at the EU and Member State level to support the Republic of Moldova in the reform process and in building of functional institutions. Maia Sandu informed the EU officials about the latest political developments in Chisinau and said that the current government aims at rebuilding democratic institutions and restoring citizens' confidence in their own state. The topics related to the EU assistance, trade relations, energy security, the sectoral dimension of the Association Agreement and the plenary use of the Free Trade Area were also addressed. The conditions for unlocking the European financial assistance is a special topic. On July 1st, the Embassy of Romania to Chişinău organized an informal event to mark the successful conclusion of the first Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union on June 30th, 2019. The event was attended by members of the Government, MPs and other senior officials, diplomats accredited in Chisinau, representatives of the academia, cultural and civil society of the Republic of Moldova. In his speech, the Romanian Ambassador Daniel Ioniţă reviewed the achievements of the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council of which: over 90 EU legislative acts for the future of Europe and for the benefit of all Europeans; the organization of the informal EU summit in Sibiu on May 9th at which the EU Heads of State and Government reaffirmed their commitment to continue working with partners around the world; the organization of the Brussels meeting(June 20th), where the European Council established the general priorities that will guide the EU's work over the next five years; consolidation of the Eastern Partnership- a priority of the Romanian Presidency's Agenda. In this context, "Romania's willingness to continue its strong support for the European path and the reforms necessary for the Republic of Moldova, both at European and bilateral level, has been reaffirmed". It was also reiterated that"Romania is ready to help Chisinau to fulfil its commitments in the relationship with the European Union and to communicate the achievements of the Republic of Moldova in Brussels". The USA government will increase funding for democratic governance and economic growth in Moldova by USD 29 million, based on two implementation letters signed by Premier Maia Sandu and Brock Bierman, deputy USAID Bureau Administrator for Europe and Eurasia. The expected funding for democratic governance will facilitate creation of functional institutions and involve citizens in the decision-making, promote efficiency and transparency of local governments, improve access to municipal services, and promote decentralization and judicial reforms. Other key areas are creating favourable conditions for civil society organizations and the media. Financing aimed at contributing to economic growth will promote the export­oriented economy, boosting competitiveness, creating jobs and diversifying energy sources. An idealistic project on the sharp sword of hope... Berlin, July 16, 2019 Sorina Ștefârță The photo that opens this edition of the Newsletter is opening also a new historic stage in and for the Republic of Moldova: Maia Sandu as Prime Minister, chatting serenely with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the most important European personality of the moment. Who could imagine it two or three months ago?(I don’t dare to ask“Who knew it?”) What is certain is that after“the great disappointment in Filat” in 2015, then after“the great disappointment in Leanca” in 2016, it seemed that Angela’s heart, just like the gates of Berlin, closed for Moldova for many years. But things can really change overnight and… Monthly Bulletin, Nr. 6(160), June 2019 64, Sciusev str. 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