Politics
Vladimir Voronin’s speech at ONU
Reading Time: 4 minutes It has been often mentioned that, if the UN did not exist it would have been invented. We totally share this assessment. Looking back at its 60 years period of activity, the World Organization has pro
Mr. President,
Mr. Secretary-General,
Excellencies,
It is a privilege and an honour for me to participate in this august assembly of Heads of State and Government which offers a unique opportunity to celebrate and reaffirm our unity of purpose and our support for the United Nations.
It has been often mentioned that, if the UN did not exist it would have been invented. We totally share this assessment. Looking back at its 60 years period of activity, the World Organization has proved, despite some of its failures, that it does not have an alternative and remains “the indispensable common house of the entire human family”, as defined in the “Millennium Declaration”.
To keep its relevance in the twenty first century and to meet the expectations of the peoples of the world, the UN has to meet both old and new challenges. It also needs to adapt itself to the ongoing changes of international environment.
The reports of the Secretary-General “A more secure world” and “In Larger Freedom” do not only describe with accuracy the modern threats and challenges which exist in the area of peace, security, development and human rights but also show the right direction and measures which need to be undertaken in order to address them. These actions are meant to confer a new dynamism to the process of implementation of the Millennium Declaration, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) – a process which has been adversely affected by the complexity of international climate after September 11th, 2001.
Along with other Member States, the Republic of Moldova believes that these new circumstances require that we revitalize the consensus on major challenges and priorities and convert this new consensus into collective action which shall lead, inter alia, to renewal and strengthening of the UN system.
In this regard, I deem it very important to declare at this Summit my country’s continuing commitment to the United Nations and to pledge our firm support to it through provisions of the Draft Outcome Document we shall be adopting.
Honorable Heads of State and Government,
Freedom from want, freedom from fear and freedom to live in dignity are values that derive from the spirit of the UN Charter and underpin the Draft Outcome Document of our meeting.
We share the content of this document due to our strong conviction that:
• Only through full observance of the commitments included in the “Millennium Declaration”, as well as in the decisions of the major conferences in economic and social fields, we will be able to ensure the necessary pre-requisites for the eradication of poverty, achievement of Millennium Development Goals and sustainable economic growth at the global and national levels;
• Only through continued advancement of disarmament and non-proliferation, prevention and peaceful settlement of conflicts, combating terrorism, aggressive separatism and transnational crime, counteracting the illicit traffic of arms, unconditional application of international norms and principles of international law, we will succeed to ensure an effective functioning of the collective security system for XXI century;
• Only through steady promotion of democracy and strengthening the rule of law, protection of and even enforcement of respect for fundamental human rights, especially, in the cases of humanitarian crime or conflict zones out of sovereign states’ control, we would ensure the necessary conditions to live in freedom and dignity.
The UN plays a central role in perfecting and materializing this "triangle of development, peace and freedom". This fact requires its institutional consolidation and adjusting its structures to the imperatives of today’s world.
The Republic of Moldova supports the adoption of necessary decisions by the Member States, including within the framework of this meeting, which shall lead to revitalization of the General Assembly, reform and expansion of the Security Council; increase of effectiveness of the ECOSOC and the UN Secretariat, creation of the Council for Human Rights and Peace-building Commission. We also stand for the elimination of some obsolete references from UN Charter regarding the Trusteeship Council and "enemy states".
Ladies and gentlemen,
As a country facing the difficulties of transition and still affected by the consequences of an unsettled internal conflict, inspired and supported from abroad, the Republic of Moldova is deeply interested in promoting at the national level the values that form the foundation of the above-mentioned documents. Namely from this angle, we perceive our specific contribution.
Particularly, we are strongly determined to follow unswervingly the efforts aimed at restoring the national dignity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country through complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops and seeking a lasting solution to the political conflict in the Eastern districts together with the responsible actors of the international community.
I would like to underline in this context that without removal of the factors of external pressure, including foreign military presence, without democratization and demilitarization of Transnistria, without control of the state borders on the perimeter of this area, it will be impossible to settle the conflict, to stop the illegal trafficking of arms, drugs and human beings and provide stability and security for this part of the European continent.
Also, we will continue to work vigorously to further develop the democracy and the rule of law and democracy and to ensure a maximum level of protection of human rights on the entire territory of the Republic of Moldova so that our citizens from the area controlled by the totalitarian separatist regime from Tiraspol would also enjoy them.
Likewise, we pledge to make any effort to ensure a sustained economical development, to increase the welfare of our citizens and to improve the socio-economical indicators, including through achievement of the MDG’s.
These specific priorities are complementary to those related to European integration which has become an irreversible strategic objective of our internal and external policies. The European choice of the Republic of Moldova derives from natural desire of a South Eastern European state to integrate into the system of political, economic, social and cultural values of the European Union’s family. We believe that successful implementation of the EU-Moldova Action Plan, apart from approaching the European horizon, will mean, as well, the achievement of the above-mentioned objectives.
From this perspective, we hope that our efforts will be supported more actively by the international community, in the spirit of the Global Partnership that we are trying to reaffirm at this UN Summit.
Mr. President,
In conclusion, I would like to join the previous distinguished speakers who pleaded for the renewal of commitments and for concrete actions. This is the only way to move on towards a world of liberty, prosperity, justice and peace. It is exactly this collective vision that is enshrined in the UN Charter and for which the Republic of Moldova continues to remain a faithful and committed member of the World Organization.
Thank You for your kind attention.
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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