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PM Filat: USA is a honest and reliable friend of Moldova

Reading Time: 6 minutes Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filats exclusive interview with the news agency MOLDPRES

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Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat’s exclusive interview with the news agency MOLDPRES

MOLDPRES: After your appointment as prime minister, you have visited many Western capitals, with Western politicians assuring Moldova of support in all the sectors: political economic, social, etc. But one could get the impression that you failed to command your emotions only in a single case, in Washington. By this triple "Thank you, America" should we understand that the visit yielded better results than expected?

Vlad Filat: During meetings with US officials, I felt unprecedented openness towards Moldova, sincere wish to help us and to deepen cooperation in many sectors. I should admit that I was pleasantly surprised by this. I understood that Moldova has honest friends in the USA and on the international stage. The discussions which I had with US Vice President Joseph Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other US officials were full of content, I convinced myself that there is great interest in the processes taking place in Moldova, our visions for future and aspirations at external level.

The signing of a joint statement by the United States and Moldova on the consolidation of bilateral cooperation was a proof of the USA’s support and openness towards Moldova as well. This statement along with other important documents signed during the visit to the USA (memorandum on cooperation between Moldova and North Carolina and the agreement within the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact) stepped up the friendship between the two countries. In general, the visit was productive and, in my opinion, it gave a fresh impetus to the development of relations between Moldova and the USA.

MOLDPRES: How important the 262 million dollars obtained within the Compact agreement is for Moldova?

Filat: To become eligible and sign this agreement, Moldova recorded much progress and assumed many reforms. By signing this agreement, the USA conveyed a clear message of support for Moldova.

To put it more precisely, the assistance for the implementation of the Compact programme will be granted during five years. The Compact programme includes two major projects: Transition to High Value Agriculture worth 102 million dollars and Road Restoration, estimated at 133 million dollars. At the same time, 27 million dollars will be earmarked for the management, monitoring, assessment and audit of the Compact programme.

The Transition to High Value Agriculture Project will contribute to increasing farming incomes of rural residents by fostering productivity and improving ways to sell high value added goods. The Road Restoration Project provides for repairs of 93 km of one of the main highways from north-eastern Moldova. This is an important highway for private transporters and passengers, as well as for domestic businesses and trade.

MOLDPRES: While speaking about the visit to the USA, everybody focused mainly on the 262-million-dollar grant. But during a meeting with the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, Congressman Howard Bremen, you said that the USA’s support is extremely important for Moldova’s development, especially in terms of functioning of democratic institutions and observance of the fundamental human rights. What is the meaning of this diplomatic wording of the discussions held in the USA?

Filat: I was constantly promoting this message during the visit to the USA, and this is not a diplomatic wording, as you put it. For years, the USA has been contributing, through its institutions and programmes, to the development of Moldova’s democratic institutions, enhancing the level of human rights’ observance. I will give as example the activity of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Moldova, National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI), etc. I would also like to mention the direct contribution of the US embassy in Chisinau, which financed a lot of projects aimed at Moldova’s democratic development. The USA has always been an honest friend to Moldova, helped us advance with democratic processes and backed us at external level. It is due including to this support that Moldova has evolved, advanced on the path to democratic reforms. Therefore, I asked for the USA’s further support in this respect.

MOLDPRES: On 29 January 2010, the IMF Executive Board approved a three-year agreement with Moldova, which provides for a loan worth 574.4 million dollars. What will this money be used for?

Filat: The money will be allocated to support Moldova to restore fiscal sustainability, maintain financial stability, reduce poverty and ensure economic growth. Moldova got immediately access to 60 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) (about 93 million dollars), and the next installments will be disbursed following half-year revisions. The first installment is divided into two parts: to support the budget (62 million dollars), to supplement the currency reserves of the National Bank of Moldova (BNM) (31 million dollars).

I would like to emphasize the importance of the IMF’s support for Moldova in the conditions in which we took over the government. At that time, Moldova was practically in default, the budget deficit accounted for 16 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (over eight billion lei). Due to the IMF’s support, we managed to stabilize the economic situation and lay a basis for subsequent economic growth.

MOLDPRES: We have to ask this question because of the recent speculation on this subject. There are allegations that both the USA’s support and the IMF’s one were conditioned on Moldova’s participation in international peacekeeping operations, in particular, in Afghanistan. Was Moldova imposed such conditions or not? What is the government’s position on this issue?

Filat: Lately there have been many acts of speculation on Moldovan servicemen’s departure to Afghanistan, therefore I deem it necessary to come with some specifications. First of all, the government is not the one to send military to Afghanistan – this is made by a parliament decision. Moldova did this before too, when our servicemen participated in the peacekeeping mission in Iraq. I want to say that those who are now trying to speculate on the eventual departure of Moldovan servicemen to Afghanistan, have previously promoted the idea of participation in the peacekeeping mission in Iraq. Namely following an initiative by the former government, the parliament unanimously adopted decisions on our military leaving for Iraq. Secondly, we should differentiate between military actions and peacekeeping missions. Moldova participates only in peacekeeping operations and by no means in military actions. Due to our sappers, many human lives were saved [in Iraq], and this was appreciated at the international level. Thirdly, the departure of seasoned servicemen (i.e. young people serving in the armed forces) is out of the question, it is just about professional military wishing to participate in peacekeeping operations. Not in the least, I would like to say that Moldova aspires to be a member and benefit from its presence in a common international security area. But it is impossible to have only benefits without contributing with anything.

MOLDPRES: The world crisis continues to torment not only economists and politicians, but also ordinary citizens. And while almost everybody is overrating their forecasts of future evolutions, the economics minister assured us that Moldova started getting out of the deadlock. Should we understand that we have overrun the world? But what about the chained price increases?

Filat: All the actions we have taken in this direction are based on the plan of economic stabilization and restoration. According to our realistic forecasts, we will not just overcome the recession in 2010, but will also end the year with slight economic growth.

As concerns the price increase, this process should not necessarily be connected with the crisis. By the way, the latest increase in prices for some goods was groundless. I convinced myself of this during a recent visit to the central agro-food market in Moldova’s capital, as well as at a meeting with decision-makers whom I convened after that visit. Regretfully, we have traders trying to speculate in order to get profit, which is in breach of the legislation in force. The relevant bodies reported dozens of cases like this. I gave specific instructions to bodies in charge to involve and put an end to these abuses, keep an eye on the observance of the legislation so that the ordinary citizens do not suffer.

There are also situations when the increase in prices is justified. Our position, in general, is that the market should dictate the prices, and the latter are to be set in line with the legislation in force. Our duty is to create conditions for people to have well-paid jobs in order to be able to cope with prices, rather than intervene in the process of their formation, if the legislation in force is being observed.

MOLDPRES: And the last question, which is connected both with the loans which Moldova got over the last months and the social and economic evolutions in the country. Some specialists consider that once the state’s foreign debt increases, and they say that it doubled in just several months, should we expect both economic disasters and the deterioration of living standards? What the government’s short, medium- and long-term programmes for the normalization of the economic situation in Moldova are?

Filat: I will disappoint those who are "dreaming up" of "economic disasters" or present the situation in dark colours. When we took over the government, Moldova was really threatened by default. But we managed to overcome this danger, to lay the foundations of economic growth, which will favourably influence the living standards. We launched important social and economic reforms (introduction of a new social assistance system, initiation of structural reforms, such as reduction of the number of categories of goods subject to certification and mandatory licencing and other types of authorizations imposed on businesses), the results of which will be felt soon.

All our actions are based on the government’s action programme, European Integration: Freedom, Democracy, Welfare, and the plan of economic stabilization and restoration. As a result of the latter’s implementation, we plan: to gradually diminish the weight of the budget deficit in the GDP to three per cent in 2010; to overcome the economic recession in 2010; to establish the deficit of the current account at about ten per cent of GDP, level that can be easily financed from direct foreign investments and official assistance; to gradually increase the annual pace of economic growth to five per cent in 2010, etc. Therefore, the pessimistic scenarios are ruled out. Moldova embarked on a normal path to development and this process is irreversible.

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FC Sheriff Tiraspol victory: can national pride go hand in hand with political separatism?

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A new football club has earned a leading place in the UEFA Champions League groups and starred in the headlines of worldwide football news yesterday. The Football Club Sheriff Tiraspol claimed a win with the score 2-1 against Real Madrid on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. That made Sheriff Tiraspol the leader in Group D of the Champions League, including the football club in the groups of the most important European interclub competition for the first time ever.

International media outlets called it a miracle, a shock and a historic event, while strongly emphasizing the origin of the team and the existing political conflict between the two banks of the Dniester. “Football club from a pro-Russian separatist enclave in Moldova pulls off one of the greatest upsets in Champions League history,” claimed the news portals. “Sheriff crushed Real!” they said.

Moldovans made a big fuss out of it on social media, splitting into two groups: those who praised the team and the Republic of Moldova for making history and those who declared that the football club and their merits belong to Transnistria – a problematic breakaway region that claims to be a separate country.

Both groups are right and not right at the same time, as there is a bunch of ethical, political, social and practical matters that need to be considered.

Is it Moldova?

First of all, every Moldovan either from the right or left bank of Dniester (Transnistria) is free to identify himself with this achievement or not to do so, said Vitalie Spranceana, a sociologist, blogger, journalist and urban activist. According to him, boycotting the football club for being a separatist team is wrong.

At the same time, “it’s an illusion to think that territory matters when it comes to football clubs,” Spranceana claimed. “Big teams, the ones included in the Champions League, have long lost their connection both with the countries in which they operate, and with the cities in which they appeared and to which they linked their history. […] In the age of globalized commercial football, teams, including the so-called local ones, are nothing more than global traveling commercial circuses, incidentally linked to cities, but more closely linked to all sorts of dirty, semi-dirty and cleaner cash flows.”

What is more important in this case is the consistency, not so much of citizens, as of politicians from the government who have “no right to celebrate the success of separatism,” as they represent “the national interests, not the personal or collective pleasures of certain segments of the population,” believes the political expert Dionis Cenusa. The victory of FC Sheriff encourages Transnistrian separatism, which receives validation now, he also stated.

“I don’t know how it happens that the “proud Moldovans who chose democracy”, in their enthusiasm for Sheriff Tiraspol’s victory over Real Madrid, forget the need for total and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria!” declared the journalist Vitalie Ciobanu.

Nowadays, FC Sheriff Tiraspol has no other choice than to represent Moldova internationally. For many years, the team used the Moldovan Football Federation in order to be able to participate in championships, including international ones. That is because the region remains unrecognised by the international community. However, the club’s victory is presented as that of Transnistria within the region, without any reference to the Republic of Moldova, its separatist character being applied in this case especially.

Is it a victory?

In fact, FC Sheriff Tiraspol joining the Champions League is a huge image breakthrough for the Transnistrian region, as the journalist Madalin Necsutu claimed. It is the success of the Tiraspol Club oligarchic patrons. From the practical point of view, FC Sheriff Tiraspol is a sports entity that serves its own interests and the interests of its owners, being dependent on the money invested by Tiraspol (but not only) oligarchs.

Here comes the real dilemma: the Transnistrian team, which is generously funded by money received from corruption schemes and money laundering, is waging an unequal fight with the rest of the Moldovan football clubs, the journalist also declared. The Tiraspol team is about to raise 15.6 million euro for reaching the Champions League groups and the amounts increase depending on their future performance. According to Necsutu, these money will go directly on the account of the club, not to the Moldovan Football Federation, creating an even bigger gab between FC Sheriff and other football clubs from Moldova who have much more modest financial possibilities.

“I do not see anything useful for Moldovan football, not a single Moldovan player is part of FC Sheriff Tiraspol. I do not see anything beneficial for the Moldovan Football Federation or any national team.”

Is it only about football?

FC Sheriff Tiraspol, with a total estimated value of 12.8 million euros, is controlled by Victor Gusan and Ilya Kazmala, being part of Sheriff Holding – a company that controls the trade of wholesale, retail food, fuels and medicine by having monopolies on these markets in Transnistria. The holding carries out car trading activities, but also operates in the field of construction and real estate. Gusan’s people also hold all of the main leadership offices in the breakaway region, from Parliament to the Prime Minister’s seat or the Presidency.

The football club is supported by a holding alleged of smuggling, corruption, money laundering and organised crime. Moldovan media outlets published investigations about the signals regarding the Sheriff’s holding involvement in the vote mobilization and remuneration of citizens on the left bank of the Dniester who participated in the snap parliamentary elections this summer and who were eager to vote for the pro-Russian socialist-communist bloc.

Considering the above, there is a great probability that the Republic of Moldova will still be represented by a football club that is not identified as being Moldovan, being funded from obscure money, growing in power and promoting the Transnistrian conflict in the future as well.

Photo: unknown

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Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita meets high-ranking EU officials in Brussels

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Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Natalia Gavrilita, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nicu Popescu, pay an official visit to Brussels, between September 27-28, being invited by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles.

Today, Prime Minister had a meeting with Charles Michel, President of the European Council. The Moldovan PM thanked the senior European official for the support of the institution in strengthening democratic processes, reforming the judiciary and state institutions, economic recovery and job creation, as well as increasing citizens’ welfare. Natalia Gavrilita expressed her confidence that the current visit laid the foundations for boosting relations between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, so that, in the next period, it would be possible to advance high-level dialogues on security, justice and energy. Officials also exchanged views on priorities for the Eastern Partnership Summit, to be held in December.

“The EU is open to continue to support the Republic of Moldova and the ambitious reform agenda it proposes. Moldova is an important and priority partner for us,” said Charles Michel.

Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita also met with Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for Economy, expressing her gratitude for the support received through the OMNIBUS macro-financial assistance program. The two officials discussed the need to advance the recovery of money from bank fraud, to strengthen sustainable mechanisms for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in Moldova, and to standardize the customs and taxes as one of the main conditions for deepening cooperation with the EU in this field.

Additionally, Prime Minister spoke about the importance of the Eastern Partnership and the Deep Free Trade Agreement, noting that the Government’s policies are aimed at developing an economic model aligned with the European economic model, focused on digitalization, energy efficiency and the green economy.

A common press release of the Moldovan Prime Minister with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles, took place today, where the agenda of Moldova’s reforms and the main priorities to focus on in the coming months were presented: judiciary reform; fighting COVID-19 pandemic; promoting economic recovery and conditions for growth and job creation; strengthening state institutions and resilience of the country.

“I am here to relaunch the dialogue between my country and the European Union. Our partnership is strong, but I believe there is room for even deeper cooperation and stronger political, economic and sectoral ties. I am convinced that this partnership is the key to the prosperity of our country and I hope that we will continue to strengthen cooperation.”

The Moldovan delegation met Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice. Tomorrow, there are scheduled common meetings with Oliver Varhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Adina Valean, European Commissioner for Transport and Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy.

Prime Minister will also attend a public event, along with Katarina Mathernova, Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.

Photo: gov.md

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Promo-LEX about Maia Sandu’s UN speech: The president must insist on appointing a rapporteur to monitor the situation of human rights in Transnistria

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The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, pays an official visit to New York, USA, between September 21-22. There, she participates in the work of the United Nations General Assembly. According to a press release of the President’s Office, the official will deliver a speech at the tribune of the United Nations.

In this context, the Promo-LEX Association suggested the president to request the appointment of a special rapporteur in order to monitor the situation of human rights in the Transnistrian region. According to Promo-LEX, the responsibility for human rights violations in the Transnistrian region arises as a result of the Russian Federation’s military, economic and political control over the Tiraspol regime.

“We consider it imperative to insist on the observance of the international commitments assumed by the Russian Federation regarding the withdrawal of the armed forces and ammunition from the territory of the country,” the representatives of Promo-LEX stated. They consider the speech before the UN an opportunity “to demand the observance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the Russian Federation with reference to this territory which is in its full control.”

“It is important to remember about the numerous cases of murder, torture, ill-treatment, forced enlistment in illegal military structures, the application of pseudo-justice in the Transnistrian region, all carried out under the tacit agreement of the Russian Federation. These findings stem from dozens of rulings and decisions issued by the European Court of Human Rights, which found that Russia is responsible for human rights violations in the region.”

The association representatives expressed their hope that the president of the country would give priority to issues related to the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region and would call on relevant international actors to contribute to guaranteeing fundamental human rights and freedoms throughout Moldova.

They asked Maia Sandu to insist on the observance of the obligation to evacuate the ammunition and the military units of the Russian Federation from the territory of the Republic of Moldova, to publicly support the need for the Russian Federation to implement the ECtHR rulings on human rights violations in the Transnistrian region, and to request the appointment of an UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur  to monitor the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova.

**

The Promo-LEX Association concluded that 14 out of 25 actions planned within the National Action Plan for the years 2018–2022 concerning respecting human rights in Transnistria were not carried out by the responsible authorities.

The association expressed its concern and mentioned that there are a large number of delays in the planned results. “There is a lack of communication and coordination between the designated institutions, which do not yet have a common vision of interaction for the implementation of the plan.”

Promo-LEX requested the Government of the Republic of Moldova to re-assess the reported activities and to take urgent measures, “which would exclude superficial implementation of future activities and increase the level of accountability of the authorities.”

Photo: peacekeeping.un.org

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