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 DECEMBER 2020 NR.11(177) Synthesis and Foreign Policy Debates The newsletter is developed by Sorina Ştefârţă, editor-coordinator TOPICS OF THE EDITION: 1. Dr. Liliana Popescu, university professor, vice-rector of SNSPA: “There are sufficient members of the European Union which understand the importance of supporting the Republic of Moldova” 2. Editorial by Madalin Necsutu, BalkanInsight.com reporter: “The battle of disinformation and post-presidential defrost” 3. Vitaly Portnikov, journalist, Ukraine: “Without a parliamentary majority and a government, Maia Sandu will be the symbol of change, but not the change itself” 4. Expert Opinion. Dionis Cenusa: “Moldova-Russia relationship and the post-Dodon transition, between‘rational’ and‘emotional’ approaches” News in brief The post-election events in the Chisinau Parliament have resulted in harsh reactions from international partners. The European Union criticized the way in which on Thursday, December 3, the MPs of the PSRM,“Șor” Party and“Pentru Moldo” Group voted a package of laws, including a law which limits the presidential powers.“The vote took place in a way that does not follow the procedures and is supported by people who have been involved in corruption and the 2014 bank fraud. This runs the risk that the legislation could serve private interests,” the EU statement said. At the same time, the EU Delegation in our country states that the legal proposals were submitted only two weeks after the Republic of Moldova elected a new president,“with the expectation that the president can exercise her functions according to the Constitution based on which she was elected.”“It is therefore essential that any changes to these presidential powers comply with the necessary and legally required procedures, including the democratic control.” The EU noted that it expects from all the decision-makers in our country to respect the rule of law and guarantee democracy, in line with the expectations of the people and the principles of the Association Agreement. The United States has also reacted harshly to the Parliament’s decision to repeal the law authorizing the sale of the former Republican Stadium land to the United States for building a new embassy complex.“The USA has been negotiating in good faith with the governments of the Republic of Moldova the acquisition of the land for over a decade. This repeal violates a binding bilateral agreement, violates international law and adversely affects the relations between the United States and the Republic of Moldova,” reads the text of the diplomatic mission. The embassy said the United States was ready to invest more than$ 250 million to build a new headquarters in Chisinau, creating hundreds of jobs, supporting local businesses and revitalizing the city’s economy.“As we have constantly said, any new construction on this land will respect its cultural and historical significance. We urge the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to rethink this step and to honour their obligations”, mentions the US Embassy. Prime Minister Ion Chicu has also criticized the Parliament’s decision, calling it a mistake. At the recent 27th meeting of the OSCE Council of Foreign Ministers, the Declaration on the “5+ 2” format of the Transnistrian settlement has been adopted by consensus. In particular, the Foreign Ministers of the participating States urged the parties to intensify interaction to overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and to step up dialogue and ongoing efforts to protect human rights in the Transnistrian region, including the rapid restoration of free movement between the two banks of the Nistru. The ministers have also reiterated their determination to peacefully identify a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Transnistrian conflict based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova within its internationally recognized borders with the adoption of the special status of the Transnistrian region. Also, the USA and Romania reiterated the need to complete the process of withdrawing the foreign troops and ammunition from the territory of the country, in accordance with the commitments assumed by the Russian Federation within the OSCE. A Trapped Presidency Chișinău, December 6, 2020... Tens of thousands of protesters demand the resignation of the Government and early elections Foto: EPA Sorina Ștefârță Less than a month has passed since the presidential election, the elected president has not yet taken office, and not even the Constitutional Court has taken the time(and courage?) to rule on the election results. However, Maia Sandu has already been blamed for whatever you want; some of the politicians and the media they control have remained frozen in the two weeks before the second round Monthly Bulletin, Nr. 11(177), december 2020 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