Politics
Turkey and Russia move closer to visa-free travel
Reading Time: 4 minutesRussian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, visited Turkey in order to attend the talks between Iran and the P5+1.
Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, visited Turkey in order to attend the talks between Iran and the P5+1. Prior to the start of the talks on the Iranian nuclear issue, Lavrov held crucial meetings with his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu, on bilateral relations as well as regional issues. In particular, Lavrov and Davutoglu chaired the first Turkish-Russian Joint Strategic Planning Group at the historic Ciragan Palace in Istanbul. The talks were a preparatory meeting within the framework of the High Level Strategic Cooperation Councils, which Turkey initiated in recent years with many countries, including not only some of its Middle Eastern neighbors but also Greece and Russia.
The joint planning meeting sought to prepare the ground for the Strategic Cooperation Council to be held in Moscow in the coming months, possibly during Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s, visit to Russia in mid-March. Until then, several other high level contacts will occur between Turkish and Russian delegations, underscoring the intensity of the flourishing bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
A major item during the Davutoglu-Lavrov meeting was the issue of visa liberalization, which was agreed upon by the leaders of the two countries last year. The issue was first raised during Erdogan’s meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Moscow in January 2010. Following the Visa Exemption Agreement allowing visa-free travel for up to one month, which was signed in May 2010 during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to Ankara, Turkey expressed eagerness to conclude this matter as soon as possible (EDM, May 20, 2010). Turkish sources admitted that Moscow could not reciprocate with Ankara, yet, they attributed it to the overall complicated nature of the Russian bureaucracy. Indeed, in an obvious affirmation of these differing perspectives on the issue, the Turkish government completed the ratification of the agreement promptly. The Russian Duma, however, has yet to discuss it (Cihan Haber Ajansi, January 20).
Nonetheless, recently both countries took an important step towards removing a major obstacle to the realization of a visa-free regime. In Moscow, Turkish and Russian diplomats signed a Readmission Agreement, which especially the Russian side deems important as part of its fight against illegal migration. Under this agreement, both countries commit to readmit immigrants who illegally enter the other country through their territory. Reportedly, Moscow has become concerned about the increasing number of illegal immigrants arriving in Russia through Turkey, en route to their final destinations in Eastern Europe and the EU (Zaman, January 18). When both countries complete the ratification process, they will start implementing these protocols simultaneously (www.mfa.gov.tr, January 18).
During the Davutoglu-Lavrov joint press conference, Davutoglu praised the progress on this issue, and added that he hoped the legal procedures would be finalized soon, so that visa-free travel will be implemented following the planned High Level Cooperation Council in Moscow. Davutoglu maintained that it would be an historic step that will further boost the already high level contacts between the two nations (Anadolu Ajansi, January 20).
Lavrov was asked to comment on Turkey’s potential role in the resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue. Lavrov commended Turkey’s contribution and its provision of a venue for the P5+1 talks in Istanbul. Nonetheless, Lavrov also added a note of caution, referring to the complex nature of the problem, and emphasized that if the Istanbul meeting sets an agenda for future meetings it would achieve some positive results. The Russian foreign minister reiterated the importance of tackling this issue within a broader framework, highlighting the need to address other regional and economic challenges. On the eve of the talks, Lavrov raised the possibility of rolling back the sanctions on Iran, though he also urged Iran to allow for more intrusive inspections of its nuclear facilities as a demonstration of its goodwill (Zaman, January 21).
Davutoglu reiterated that Turkey is providing merely a venue, and is not directly involved in the talks between the P5+1 and Iran. This limited role of facilitating talks, though important in itself, indicates a scaling back from Turkey’s earlier efforts to play a more proactive diplomatic role in this crisis. Previously, Ankara had gone to great lengths to interject itself as a mediator between Iran and the West and influence the resolution of the standoff over Iran’s nuclear program. Turkey’s efforts, in coordination with Brazil, resulted in Iran’s signing the Tehran declaration on a nuclear swap deal (EDM, June 1, 2010).
The success of the US in securing a UN Security Council resolution for a new round of sanctions (despite Turkey voting against it) and developments since, has rendered the Tehran Declaration largely ineffective. Yet, the Turkish side continues to emphasize that the declaration offers a constructive legal framework on which further diplomatic initiatives might be based. Davutoglu, thus, referred to the Tehran Declaration following his meeting with Lavrov, and stressed Turkey’s readiness to assist the parties if they decided to return to the avenues opened by that declaration to address the Iranian nuclear issue.
Davutoglu also sent some messages to Tehran. The Turkish foreign minister urged the Iranian leadership to provide assurances to the international community that it would not seek to develop nuclear weapons, though reiterating that all countries have a right to the peaceful use of nuclear technology. This emphasis on Iran offering assurances was also an important development, considering the criticism of Turkey’s position on the Iranian issue. Turkey’s position is often criticized for being pro-Iranian or offering Iran a shield against Western sanctions. Davutoglu is working hard to eradicate this image and reassure the international community of Turkey’s impartiality on this issue. Moreover, Davutoglu’s emphasis on the right to peaceful use of nuclear technology is significant, since he believes that Turkey also needs to acquire nuclear power plants in order to meet growing energy demands. By constantly emphasizing this right, Davutoglu hopes to remove any objections that might be raised against Turkey’s efforts to obtain nuclear technology.
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
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
Politics
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
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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