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 OCTOBER 2023 NR.10(212) Synthesis and Foreign Policy Debates NTheewnselewttselre-tutel resistedreevaelliozpaet ddebyMMădăădlăinlinNNeceșcușțuuț,ur,eeddaitcotor-rc-ocooordrdinoantaotror TOPICS OF THE EDITION: 1. Oazu Nantoi, MP, PAS: I have not seen the government in Chisinau to initiate coherent projects or policies that would lead to the reintegration of people from Transnistria 2. Editorial, Irina Tabaranu, journalist with the zonadesecuritate.md: Is it possible in the EU without the Transnistrian region? 3. Veaceslav Ionita, expert with IDIS“Viitorul”: The overnight reintegration of the Transnistrian region would be a problem for us 4. Analysis, Platform for Security and Defence Initiatives(PISA): The National Security Strategy project at the stage of public consultations regarding the Transnistrian issue News in Brief The electricity supply contract signed on October 25 with the Cuciurgan Power Plant is mutually beneficial for Chisinau and Tiraspol, said the Minister of Energy, Victor Parlicov, in an interview for the Radio Chisinau. On the one hand, the agreement provides electricity at an advantageous price for Chisinau, and on the other, it supports the population on the left side of the Dniester.“Of course, there is flexibility in this contract. Volumes are also adjusted along the way. But the most important thing is that we keep the dialogue going. Neither party would benefit if we did not enter into this contract. We wanted to offer predictability both for those on the left side of the Dniester and for our consumers in terms of price,” said the Minister of Energy. Parlicov referred to the current relationship with the left bank as much healthier than before. The minister also stated that a contract was signed only until the end of next year, because then the transit contract for Russian gas on Ukrainian territory that reaches the Transnistrian region expires. The cost per megawatt will remain unchanged – 66 US dollars. Transnistria, the“Achilles’ heel” in the European path of Moldova The European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, and the President of the European Investment Bank(EIB), Werner Hoyer, formalized on October 25 a financial package through which the European Commission will provide an investment grant worth€12 million for the project EIB Global rehabilitation and modernization of two key sections of railway lines in Moldova. Backed by a follow-on€42 million loan from EIB Global, the upgraded rail infrastructure will not only improve the country’s domestic connectivity, but also provide an important export route for Ukraine. The rehabilitation of the north-south railway corridor of Moldova will be a central element of this project. It provides an essential link between western Ukraine and key ports on the Danube and Prut, providing access to international waters. The improved railway connection between Moldova and Ukraine will stimulate both Ukrainian exports and the economy of the Republic of Moldova, especially in the context of the“EU-Ukraine Solidarity Colours” initiative. Prime Minister Dorin Recean met on October 25 with high officials of the European Commission, during a visit to Brussels. He referred to the effort to implement the nine recommendations formulated by the European Commission, stressing that the Moldovn authorities continue to work to provide the European Commission with a solid basis for recommending the launch of accession negotiations at the end of this year.“Moldova’s future is in the European Union, and the solidarity demonstrated by the EU is further proof that our country is part of the European family. We count on your support and are committed to further progress in implementing the Commission’s recommendations. The opening of accession negotiations at the end of this year is a strategic priority for the Government I lead,” said Prime Minister Dorin Recean. The integration of the Republic of Moldova into the EU with a still unresolved frozen conflict on its territory still raises many question marks. Officials in Brussels say this is possible. The question is whether everything depends on the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine or not. Officials in Chisinau still have no The building of the so-called Transnistrian Parliament. Photo: Mădălin Necșuțu contingency plans in sight for the reintegration of this territory, one anchored in a thoroughly Soviet mentality where human rights abuses, organized crime and fear reign over the approximately 300,000 people left in this enclave fallen for several years in the hands of local oligarchs and politically controlled de facto by Moscow. While some local businessmen have stayed in the West for a long time, where they keep most of their money, Russia maintains this“forward base of operations” of all kinds in the proximity of the EU and NATO. The goal is a precise one- to prevent the Republic of Moldova from Monthly newsletter, No.10(212), October 2023 111 Bucuresti St., Chisinau, MD-2012, Republic of Moldova, Tel.+373 855830 Website: moldova.fes.de. E-mail: fes.moldova@fes.de