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 FEBRUARY 2024 NR. 2(216) Synthesis and Foreign Policy Debates NTheewnselewttselre-tutel resistedreevaelliozpaet ddebyMMădăădlăinlinNNeceșcușțuuț,ur,eeddaitcotor-rc-ocooordrdinoantaotror TOPICS OF THE EDITION: 1. Liliana Nicolescu-Onofrei, PAS deputy: All political forces must understand and get mobilised for the referendum 2. Editorial by Madalin Necsutu, journalist with Balkan Insight: The referendum: between political monopoly on the European idea and cross-party consensus 3. Alexandru Bujorean, co-president of LOC: The image of the government has eroded during the last three years and we would not like this to affect the citizens’ opinion regarding the European integration process 4. Promo-LEX Analysis: The Referendum on the same day as the Presidential Elections: Pros and Cons News in Brief On February 22, the European Council imposed restrictive measures against six individuals and one entity on the grounds that they were responsible for actions aimed at destabilizing, undermining or threatening the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova. On the list of sanctions was the paramilitary organization Asociatia Oamenilor cu Epoleti“Scutul Poporului”, which allegedly made repeated attempts to undermine the democratic government in the Republic of Moldova, including by inciting riots and violent demonstrations, as well as its leader, Chiril Guzun . Among those sanctioned by the EU is the Deputy Head of the Operational Intelligence Department of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, Dmitri Miliutin. The other four are Arina Corșicova and Dumitru Chitoroagă, responsible for the media of the fugitive oligarch Ilan Șor , but also Maria Albot and Victor Petrov from ATU of Gagauzia. The EU previously sanctioned, on May 30, 2023, the first five people considered responsible for attempts to destabilize the Republic of Moldova: oligarchs Ilan Șor and Vladimir Plahotniuc, deputy Marina Tauber, former deputy head of the General Police Inspectorate, Gheorghe Cavcaliuc and the Russian businessman Igor Ceaika, the son of the former Prosecutor General of Russia. President Maia Sandu addressed a message of solidarity to the Ukrainian people, in the context of marking on February 24 two years of war in Ukraine. She specified that Moldova appreciates the heroism of Ukrainian military and civilians who defend the freedom of the entire European continent.“Today marks two years since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine, two years in which hospitals, kindergartens, shops, residential blocks, churches are bombed every day in the neighbouring country. Today we mark two years of terror, but we also mark two years of resistance. It’s been two years since Ukraine stood upright and dignified and through the heroism of Ukrainians- military and civilians- defending the freedom of the entire European continent and peace in our country. We are grateful to the Ukrainians for their extraordinary courage”, stated Maia Sandu. The head of state mentioned that in these two years, the Republic of Moldova understood first-hand the importance of peace and freedom.“The Republic of Moldova has shown itself and the whole world that it chooses life and that it will always help those in need. Moldovans want to live in good understanding and we will do everything in our power so that there is peace in our country”, the president concluded. Ukraine considers Transnistria a potential threat to Ukraine’s national security, says Ukraine’s ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, Marko Shevchenko, in an interview on the two-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He added that Ukraine closed the border with the Republic of Moldova on the Transnistrian segment from the first day of the war. The diplomat expressed this concern by the stationing in the separatist region“of the Russian army under the flag of peacemakers” and by the fact that the armed forces of the unrecognized republic are under the influence of the Russian military. For this reason, Ukraine maintains part of its military forces near the Transnistrian region. “We must be prepared for any eventuality by the Transnistrian region threatening the country’s national and military security,” said the Ukrainian ambassador in Chisinau. The EU integration referendum: cross-party idea or political monopoly? President Maia Sandu consulted with civil society regarding the referendum for European integration on February 1, 2024. Photo credit: Presidency of the Republic of Moldova The European idea must be promoted by all healthy political forces who believe in this idea together with the majority of the Moldovan society. In the last almost two years, the ruling party has taken important steps towards European integration, but the European project must be promoted by all pro-European political factors, and for this unity is needed. Arrogance, political clumsiness or the lack of a common vision unfortunately prevent the coagulation of pro­European forces, while for the pro-Russian parties there is only one centre of interests and command – Moscow. Multiple crises and the erosion of governance did not escape the ruling party, which won the majority in Parliament by a very large score. This gave free rein to a well-intentioned government that also made some mistakes, especially when it comes to communicating less successful results. Monthly newsletter, No.2(216), February 2024 111 Bucuresti St., Chisinau, MD-2012, Republic of Moldova, Tel.+373 855830 Website: moldova.fes.de. E-mail: fes.moldova@fes.de