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 MAY 2021 NR.5(183) Synthesis and Foreign Policy Debates The newsletter is developed by Mădălin Necșuțu, editor-coordinator TOPICS OF THE EDITION: 1. Leonid Litra, senior research fellow at the New Europe Centre in Kyiv, Ukraine: “The increase of the Russian presence in the Black Sea is guaranteed in the coming years” 2. Editorial by Natalia Stercul, expert of the Foreign Policy Association of Moldova(APE): “The explosive situation in eastern Ukraine and its consequences for the regional security” 3. Iulian Fota, general director of the Romanian Diplomatic Institute(IDR) in Bucharest: “Russian troops in the Transnistrian region are relevant only to the Republic of Moldova” 4. Laura Zghibarța, junior researcher at the Foreign Policy Association of Moldova(APE): “The case of Ukraine and defining of the foreign, domestic or defence and security policy for the Republic of Moldova” News in Brief EU Ambassador to Chisinau Peter Michalko said in an interview with the Radio Chisinau on May 6 that it is very important for the Republic of Moldova to credibly support a new government that will be able to carry out important reforms, so that people’s lives improve.“It is very important that the new parliament credibly supports a government that will be able to carry out these important reforms, so that people’s lives improve. This is in line with our relations based on the Association Agreement. We hope that we will see the implementation of the Association Agreement in the future, in partnership with the institutions of the Republic of Moldova, with a new government, with a new parliament, as desired by the Moldovan citizens”, said the European diplomat. Michalko added it is very necessary that the July 11th parliamentary elections be free and fair, transparent and credible and bring results in accordance with the will of the citizens. The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, paid an official visit to Berlin on May 19-20. According to a press release issued by the Presidency, the visit took place at the invitation of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier,“aimed at giving a new impetus to bilateral relations between the two states.” On the first day of the visit, Maia Sandu had meetings with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and in the afternoon of the same day, President Sandu had an online discussion with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Also, during the official visit to Berlin, Maia Sandu participated in discussions related to the Republic of Moldova in the Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Committees of the German Bundestag and had meetings with deputies from the CDU/ CSU, SPD, Green Party factions of the Bundestag. Sandu discussed several topics, such as: how bilateral relations between Germany and the Republic of Moldova can be improved, the political and security situation in the country and the region, the support Moldova needs to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic, a stronger cooperation for economic development, improving conditions for the Moldovan diaspora in Germany. The leader of the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova(PSRM), Igor Dodon, and the leader of the Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova(PCRM), Vladimir Voronin, signed on May 12 the official document for the creation of the Electoral Bloc of PSRM and PCRM in anticipation of early parliamentary elections which will take place on July 11. Igor Dodon also launched the first ideological elements of the new bloc, relying on a speech against the West.“Foreign factors with the help of their political instruments in Chisinau want to impose on citizens a set of pseudo-values, anti-family, anti-Christian, unsuitable for our nation. It also seeks to liquidate the Moldovan identity, including by banning the Moldovan language. The aim is to transform our country into a colony, which will become a source of cheap labour, cheap land sold to foreigners, etc.” wrote Dodon on his Facebook page. Republic of Moldova on the line of the Moscow-Kyiv security threats Mădălin Necșuțu The turbulent regional context in the region caused by the political and military tensions between Moscow and Kyiv should somehow put the Moldovan authorities on their guard. Although not directly on the line of potential military threats between Ukraine Russian troops during their peacekeeping mission and Russia, the Republic of Moldova will have to closely monitor the troop movements in the Transnistrian separatist region, obviously being guided by the“better safe than sorry” saying. Despite a relative relaxation on the surface, pressure on the Kiev authorities from Moscow remains constant. Only about 20 percent of the Russian troops massed near Ukraine’s borders last month have been withdrawn, so Ukraine is still with the sword of Damocles hanging over its head. President Volodymyr Zelensky’s internal disputes with the Russian political elements Monthly newsletter, No.5(183), May 2021 111 Bucuresti St., Chisinau, MD-2012, Republic of Moldova, Tel.+373 855830 Website: fes-moldova.org. E-mail:fes@fes-moldova.org