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 AUGUST 2024 NR. 8(222) Synthesis and Foreign Policy NNTheeewwnsselleewttttseelrre--tuutell reessistteedrreeevaaellliiozzpaaettdddeebyMMMăăddăăădllăiinnlinNNNeecceșșcuușțțuuuț,,urr,eeedddaaitccottoor-rrc--occooooordrrddinooanntaaottroorr Debates TOPICS OF THE EDITION: 1. Cristina Ciubotaru, anti-corruption expert: The problem of judicial vetting- it is not independent from politics and does not inspire confidence 2. Editorial by Madalin Necsutu, journalist with the Balkan Insight and TVR Moldova: Why is it necessary to change the paradigm: from political leniency to a real effort to integrate into the EU? 3. Nadine Gogu, Executive director of the Centre for Independent Journalism: The oligarchs are still present online, but they are not as visible on classic television 4. Stas Madan, economic analyst with Expert-Grup: We have pretty good strategy documents, but we have limited administrative capacity to implement them News in Brief The Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Moscow sent, on August 23, to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a note in which it requested information about the Moldovan citizen who is alleged to be an agent of the Ukrainian special services and was detained in the city of Kerchi, Crimea, by the Russian Federal Security Service(FSB).“If it is confirmed that he is a citizen of the Republic of Moldova, in accordance with international law, our diplomatic representation will provide him with all the necessary consular assistance”, stated the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the Russian news agency Ria Novosti, citing the FSB, the citizen of the Republic of Moldova, born in 1992, was previously convicted of theft on the territory of Ukraine. In April 2024, the man, via the Internet, cooperated with a representative of the Ukrainian special services, on whose instructions he collected and sent photos and video materials regarding the location of the military equipment of the Russian Federation and air defence positions, as well as objects of transport and energy infrastructure of Crimea. The opportunity to carry out joint projects to stimulate the development of the tourism sector was discussed at the meeting of Prime Minister Dorin Recean with Romanian mayors, members of the National Association of Spa and Balneoclimatic Resorts in Romania on August 23. The Head of the Executive emphasized the importance of the partnerships established between the local authorities of the two countries, noting that the experience of the Romanian side in developing communities according to the European model is a valuable one for the Republic of Moldova, according to a press release issued by the Executive.“In the effort to build Europe at home, we need the support of our partners, good practices and guidance in the process of absorbing European funds. We are ready to strengthen the Moldovan-Romanian partnership in all key areas- the energy sector, the road infrastructure of our countries- and to intensify the collaboration to jointly develop the tourism sector as well”, said Prime Minister Dorin Recean. During the meeting, they also talked about seaside and spa tourism, and the possibility of expanding the Romanian holiday voucher program in the Republic of Moldova. On August 22, the Constitutional Court rejected the request of the deputies of the Socialist Party(PSRM) to suspend the action of the amendments adopted by the Parliament on July 25 to the Law on the administration and denationalization of public property. The authors of the notification are the deputies of the Bloc of Communists and Socialists, Vlad Batrîncea, Petru Burduja and Grigore Novac. They asked the Court to verify the constitutionality of the law to amend the annex to the Law on the administration and denationalization of public property. At the same time, they asked the Court to suspend the action of the contested law, justifying their demand by the risk of imminent negative consequences as a result of the leasing of the commercial spaces in the Chisinau Airport building, under the management of the state enterprise“Chisinau International Airport”. Average progress and results: Moldova implements modestly the EU recommendations The Republic of Moldova is not only facing an opportunity to get closer to the EU, but also an exam. The quality of becoming the “hardworking student” of the class should not only manifest itself through political will, but also Headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels through concrete actions that the state institutions undertake on the path of European integration. The road to the EU should not be seen only as a journey, but rather as a laborious process, requiring maximum concentration and extremely hard work. There is need for a corporate mindset of growing numbers and fewer festive moments. The figures and findings of the latest Shadow Report on Moldova’s progress regarding Monthly newsletter, No.8(222), August 2024 111 Bucuresti St., Chisinau, MD-2012, Republic of Moldova, Tel.+373 855830 Website: moldova.fes.de. E-mail: fes.moldova@fes.de