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Activity of Public Institutions

Government
Presidency

"Kozak-2 plan" or recognition of Transnistria? by Maxim Kuzovlev

Activity of Public Institutions

Government

2.1. Appointments. Dismissals

The Government has given green light to an initiative by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration to assign Alexandru Cujba as Moldova’s representative to the New York-based United Nations.

Valentin Crudu was relieved from the office of deputy minister of education and youth "on the basis of own demand."

Vasile Mamaliga was relieved from the post of deputy minister of industry and infrastructure, as this structure was dissolved.

Note by ADEPT: The Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure was dissolved under Law # 49-XVI from 07.03.2008 and, therefore, Mamaliga has run an office in a de jure inexistent structure.

2.2. Decisions

Decision approving the regulation on methodology of calculation of earnings to provide qualified state-guaranteed legal assistance. The document was approved to implement the law on state-guaranteed legal assistance and approve the regulation on methodology of calculation of earnings to provide qualified state-guaranteed legal assistance and the model of income declaration. It says that the qualified state-guaranteed legal assistance is provided to people earning less than needed for the minimum existence per capita a month. The minimum existence is calculated on the basis of estimates by the National Bureau for Statistics, accordingly to the regulation on calculation of the minimum existence (GD # 902 from 28 August 2000).

Note by ADEPT: The law on state-guaranteed legal assistance should enter into force by July 1, 2008, but the adoption of normative acts needed to enforce it was delayed and this will also extend the enactment term of the law. Therefore, the positive effects of the new regulations will be postponed for a long period, though the implementation of reforms in the area is a priority in the country and within international commitments (EU-RM).

Decision approving model of new driver’s licences. It approved the model of driver’s licence and temporary issuance conditions. The Ministry of Information Development will implement the new documentation system by January 1, 2011 and new driver’s licences will be issued or changed on old-type ones only upon the demand of holders.

Decision creating the state-owned enterprise "Fiscservinform". The enterprise is created on the basis of the state-owned company called spirits record centre, with the Principal State Fiscal Inspectorate taking over the functions of founder. The Ministry of Finance is due to supplement the social capital of the enterprise, but no concrete amount was established.

Decision approving minimum quality standards for social services provided by maternal centres. It establishes minimum quality standards for all institutions concerned "in the limit of allocations foreseen by these budgets" and other means (grants, donations).

Decision on reorganisation of some enterprises. The state-owned Institute of Agricultural machines "Mecagro" is reorganised through merger (absorption) with the state-owned printing company of the Agrarian University.

1.3. Sittings. Decisions. Statements

Meeting with Association of Agricultural Producers

Aspects regarding the crop of this year and exports were tackled at the initiative of prime minister. Representatives of the union of agricultural producers Uniagroprotect recommended the liberalisation of the trading of agricultural products, with the condition to register export contracts with the Commodity Exchange, which will open branches in district centres. At the same time, Uniagroprotect proposed the priority subsidising of some high value-added agricultural branches. "Governmental officials said that the Government is looking for new possibilities to fund the agriculture, including from external sources and will award priority to branches producing high value-added," Zinaida Greceanii stated. Speaking about applications to restructure payments to the state social insurance budget, the prime minister said that all demands of agricultural producers will be taken into consideration, but "a second fiscal amnesty is impossible."

Meeting with IMF representatives

IMF mission head said that policies promoted by Moldovan Government are already effective and there are encouraging evolutions in the national economy, given the regional situation. According to IMF mission head, the National Bank of Moldova is successfully reducing the pressure on demand, budgetary performances are good, and the basic inflation is on the decline both due to lower prices of food products, which is a great process of the Government, given inflationist pressures and rise of energy prices.

Visit to penitentiary for women

Prime Minister Zinaida Greceanii has visited the prison for women in the village of Rusca, Hincesti district, and collected facts about renovation works carried out there with the financial assistance of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. The premier assured inmates that the Government is trying to improve the detention conditions and more than 2 million lei was allocated to complete the renovation of the medical block and canteen. At the same time, the executive is trying to reduce the number of inmates in prisons by recommending a draft law on early release of detainees who committed less serious offences. Inmates asked the Government to increase the number of jobs for convicts and approached the issuance of retirement documents for old people.

National security strategy is being drafted

The process of drafting the national security strategy was examined at a sitting chaired by prime minister. Members of the commission for the elaboration of the national security strategy said that the document was improved in terms of structure and quality, but adequate regulations would be necessary in the action plan on implementation of the strategy. Thus, institutions concerned will set priorities of the action plan, in order to readjust them to the Medium-Term Expense Framework. The draft strategy and action plan will be delivered soon to the specialised parliamentary commission and Presidency in order to examine them, and all documents will be published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration and by the mass media for public consultations.

Efficiency of meetings with people

The Government has examined the execution of the decision on setting appointments between cabinet members and heads of central and local public authorities and citizens, and made a "protocol decision" instructing Executive members and heads of central administrative authorities to take notice of the information on problems raised by people and the way they are resolved, before visiting the territorial units concerned, by visiting the website of the Ministry of Local Public Administration (MLPA); to visit rural areas as well (not only district centres); to take actions in order to resolve the signalled problems in areas and to report major problems to the MLPA. In its turn, the ministry will analyse the efficiency of visits to areas, apply the rotation principle in elaborating the timetable of visits, monitor results of meetings and intensify the control on respect for the terms for the reporting of actions taken to remedy the signalled problems.

Note by ADEPT: Experts consider that paying more attention to visits to areas and their efficiency may also bring electoral benefits, as special problems faced by electors, which once settled would have an electoral impact, are signalled and grouped during such meetings, with the ruling party finally enjoying preliminary efforts of the Government and its representatives. At the same time, the Government and organisational and propaganda-making skills of its members are being tested.

Presidency

Note by ADEPT: After having attended official ceremonies in late August, Moldova’s president was on holidays again during September 1–14, this time at a spa in the Czech Republic.

2.1. Decrees

Moldovan president has signed several decrees, including on awarding the Order of the Republic to Andrei Galben, rector of the Free International University of Moldova.

2.2. Sittings. Decisions. Statements

Remedying consequences of floods

The first day after coming back from holidays the chief of state has convoked a sitting on remedying consequences of summer floods, hearing reports on actions taken by authorities to shelter flood victims and provide state assistance for individuals whose farm land was flooded. According to formal accounts, 108 out of 244 families which homes have been flooded were provided housing; another 84 houses are being negotiated; adequate solutions are being searched for 52 homes; families which homes shall be renovated were provided building materials. About 10 out of 11 million lei needed to assist individuals whose farm land was flooded was already distributed, by 10,000 lei being allocated per hectare of adjacent plots. Vladimir Voronin instructed all participants in restoring localities to speed up the process of housing of flood victims, complete negotiations on purchasing of homes and find ways to resolve the problem of remaining homes. While discussing actions to prevent negative effects of natural calamities, the chief of state stressed the necessity of making conditions to activate the process of insuring the agriculture against calamity-related risks.

Economic Policies

1. Prices and inflation

Inflation rate for first nine months of the year was 6 percent…

Consumer prices rose by 0.7 percent in August, so that the annual inflation rate climbed up to 6 percent, as tariffs for public services have grown by 5 percent. In particular, the rise was linked to dearer natural gas and electricity. According to NBS accounts, the inflation rate was influenced by a 2.2-percent decline of prices of food products, a 0.6-percent rise of prices of manufactured goods and a 5-percent advance of tariffs for public services.

Tariffs for natural gas supplied via centralised networks to household consumers rose by 22.5 percent in August 2008, drinkable water supply and sewerage tariffs increased by more than 15 percent, electricity tariffs for household consumers advanced by about 12 percent and tariffs for urban minibus transportation services grew by over 6 percent. The inflation rate for this year (August 2008 compared with December 2007) was 6 percent (the inflation in August 2007 was 7.3 percent, compared with December 2006).

Average prices in the last 12 months (August 2008 compared with August 2007) rose by 11.7 percent (August 2007 compared with August 2006 – 13.5 percent). The inflation is likely decreasing on background of lower prices of some products on summer. However, it would increase on autumn, when massive procurements of fuels and energy directly influence the evolution of prices, and it could exceed 10 percent at the end of the year.

Inflation in Eurozone and implications on domestic market…

The European market is running the risk to stagnate or even regress. The development pace of the euro area is dangerously slowing, in particular, under the impact of relatively expensive petrol and appreciation of the single currency. In addition, the accelerated inflation in many European countries completes these risks. The inflation rate in the Eurozone is the highest in the last ten years, while the U.S. financial crisis complicates the BCE tasks much.

The weakness of inflation is also linked to serious external disequilibrium correlated to an increasing budgetary deficit which would further depreciate the national currency and this would amplify the current inflationist boom. The reason is simple: when domestic economic agents import products and goods from the EU they also import some inflation which is included in the final price of commodities, while the inflation is on the rise in most of European countries. However, the situation is not so dramatic because export-import operations are not exaggeratedly high to influence the course of Moldovan economy radically.

2. Foreign trade

Moldova’s commercial deficit accounts for about 1.9 billion dollars…

Imports into Moldova have grown by more than 45 percent in seven months of this year, compared with the similar period of last year, up to nearly 2.78 billion dollars. On the other hand, exports from Moldova have increased by over 26 percent, up to 894 million dollars. Thus, the evolution of exports and imports raised a trade balance deficit worth about 1.9 billion dollars in January-July 2008. It is by about 678 million dollars or 56 percent higher than in the similar period of last year.

Moldova imports most of products, particularly foodstuffs from Ukraine (imports from this country were worth about 473 million dollars in seven months of this year), Romania (355 million dollars) and Russia (350 million dollars). Therefore, majority of food products traded in Moldova are dearer than in neighbouring countries. There is no other way, as prices of imported goods include customs fees, VAT, commercial addition and other taxes. Speculative actions taken by various monopolists or intermediaries which multiply faster under conditions of massive commodity imports and consumer economy, fuel prices of goods and services, too.

Import-export coverage rate keeps falling…

According to data by the National Bureau for Statistics, Moldova recorded the highest trade balance deficit with the European Union – 768 million dollars (524.3 million dollars in January-July 2007). The trade balance deficit recorded with the CIS accounted for 626.5 million dollars (416.1 million dollars) in January-July 2007. Statistics reveal that the situation of Moldova in terms of foreign trade is worsening every year. The import-export coverage rate in seven months of this year was 32 percent, compared with 37 percent in January-July 2007. At the same time, Romania ranks the 1^st place in the top of countries to which Moldova exports most. Moldovan exports to Romania were worth over 190 million dollars in eight months of this year and they rose 1.7 fold compared with the same period of 2007. On the other hand, Moldova’s exports to Ukraine have decreased by about 7 percent, so that this country descended to the 4^th place in the top of key importers of Moldovan goods. The Russian Federation and Italy rank the 2^nd and 3^rd places respectively, as Moldova exported commodities worth 176 million dollars and 102 million dollars to these countries.

3. External currency position of the country

International reserves up by over 31 percent this year…

International official assets of Moldova increased by more than 31 percent (about 442 million dollars) in January-August 2008, up to a new record of over 1.77 billion dollars in late August. That was the highest rise in a similar period since existence of international reserves of the state and it exceeds nearly twofold the growth achieved in the period concerned of last year, when international reserves increased by 227 million dollars or 29 percent. The rise of international reserves was particularly linked to currency purchases by the National Bank of Moldova, strong fluctuation of the U.S dollar exchange rate versus other currencies, effective transactions reflected in the balance of payments, and decision by the IMF Board of Directors to transfer an ordinary tranche worth 18.6 million dollars to NBM accounts.

According to the memorandum on economic and financial policies of the Government and NBM for 2008 coordinated with the International Monetary Fund, international reserves of the country should grow up to 1.7 billion dollars by the end of this year, while they could reach 2 billion dollars by the end of 2008. The central bank has reduced the share of currency reserves in dollars, but the U.S. currency continues to hold the largest share. Half of currency reserves of the state are made in dollars, 35 percent in euros and the rest in pounds and Swiss francs.

Transdnistrian Problem

Format of eventual negotiations: "5+2" versus "3+0"

On September 3, 2008, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev received Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov after coordinating the meeting with President Vladimir Voronin. In consequence, Smirnov had to lift the moratorium on relations with Chisinau introduced after the Russian-Georgian conflict has started. According to Smirnov, the Russian president reconfirmed the conditions to support the conflict resolution, in particular, Russia will back any decision accepted by Chisinau and Tiraspol, knowing that Chisinau is ready to award a legal status to Transnistria which would be capable to provide a wide autonomy within the current unitary state, in compliance with the Moldovan Constitution, while Tiraspol seeks a friendship and cooperation agreement with the Republic of Moldova, that means the recognition of its independence. In order to make Smirnov lift the moratorium, the Russian president promised to provide Transnsitria with economic assistance and to resume actions stipulated by the so-called Zhukov-Smirnov Protocol. There were allegations after the Medvedev-Smirnov meeting that a new Voronin-Smirnov meeting could be organised by late September under the auspices of the Russian president, which would give green light to negotiations in a "3+0" format (Russia, Transnsitria, the Republic of Moldova) concerning the adopted version of the famous "Kozak Memorandum", in order to approve eventual agreements in the "5+2" format.

In this context, the EU special representative to Moldova, Kalman Miszei, said on September 5, 2008 during the "Transnistrian Dialogues" organised with the support of the Association for Foreign Policy (AFP) that a lasting solution to the Transnistrian conflict may be found and ensured in the "5+2" format only.

On September 8, 2008, Vienna hosted consultations of mediators and observers of the Transnistrian issue in the "3+2" format. After negotiations, the head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Philip Remler, shared with Moldovan authorities the opinion that there were premises to settle the conflict. In this context, the chairman of the Moldovan Parliament, Marian Lupu, emphasised on September 15 that the negotiation process relating to the conflict resolution may be resumed only in the "5+2" format, which ensures an optimal transparency and credibility framework, as well as for post-conflict developments.

On September 10, 2008, Brussels hosted the meeting of the North-Atlantic Council in the format 26 + Republic of Moldova, attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Andrei Stratan. On this occasion, Minister Stratan had a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer. Mr. Stratan reconfirmed the official position of Moldovan authorities concerning the Transnistrian issue, in particular, the fact that the "5+2" format is the only way to find a peaceful solution; Moldova has a decisive and inalterable position regarding the Adapted CFE Treaty, especially regarding Russia’s respect for the 1999 Istanbul commitments. In this context, Minister Stratan expressed gratitude to NATO for supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, reporting national evolutions in implementing the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) between the Republic of Moldova and NATO. He confirmed that Moldova will keep cooperating with NATO, particularly within the IPAP, on the basis of the constitutional neutrality principle. Perhaps the clauses expressed by Andrei Stratan aimed to be heard by Russian authorities and Chisinau political forces, meaning that the Republic of Moldova will not give up the "5+2" format to accept the "3+0" format; it will not yield in principle issues for the sake of a rapid resolution of the Transnistrian conflict under pressures of the electoral agenda; the Constitution and legislation of Moldova confirm the neutrality of the country and an international confirmation is unnecessary. In this regard, it is worth to note that Minister of Reintegration Vasile Sova has also confirmed that the "5+2" format is the best one to resume the negotiations, while contacting Ukrainian diplomats and making public addresses.

Do chances to recognise Transnistria’s independence suit its supporters?

In the context of the recognised independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Russia, the separatist Transnistrian regime has found supporters among communist political parties in Moldova and Ukraine which are incapable the least to get officially registered, as well as in Transnistria, which have a rating of tenths of percent. Thus, on September 15, 2008, the Party of Communists of Moldova – Party of Communists of the Soviet Union (PCM-PCSU), the Party of Communists of Ukraine – PCSU (PCU-PCSU) and the Party of Communists of Transnistria – PCSU (PCT-PCSU) released a statement addressing the Russian, Ukrainian and Moldovan Parliaments, asking them to recognise the independence of Transnsitria. They motivated their appeal with the risk of "territorial claims by Romania" which allegedly endanger the existence of the Republic of Moldova itself.

Socio-economic developments

The socio-economic situation in Transnsitria is complicated so far. Transnistrian speaker Evgeny Shevchiuk has stated to the Ukrainian TV channel "Inter" that the current difficulties are a consequence of the fact that Transnistria has not been recognised internationally. For this reason, Transnistria cannot open new jobs, raise salaries, improve education, people emigrate, the demographic condition is deplorable, decreasing by more than ¼ since Transnistria exists. He noted that the Transnistrian economy would grow by 15 percent a year, if the Republic of Moldova did not block it. At the same time, Shevchiuk repeated the thesis that Transnistria survives as a political-economic entity thanks to the Russian support.

An analysis of the structure of products made in Transnistria reveals that half of them are made by the food industry, which was affected by a grave drought last year. The transportation sector was also hit, as it covered 80 percent this year compared with 2007 due to dearer fuels. Another cause of the decline of transports is the fact that Transnistrian carriers cannot get the TIR chart for international carriages because the secessionist enclave is not recognised internationally. In general, the Transnistrian industry has achieved both progresses and regresses this year. Thus, some progress was made in the energy manufacturing, metallurgy, engineering and processing industry, light and food industries. The greatest growth of approximately threefold was achieved by the building material manufacturing industry. Regresses were linked to the chemical industry, wood processing industry, and particularly the glass manufacturing industry, which covers only 7 percent this year, compared with 2007.

Despite difficulties, Transnistrian exports achieved a great growth in 2008. The newspaper of Transnistrian unionists "Profsoiuznye Vesti" has published statistics on geography of Transnistrian exports. According to the publication, specialised Moldovan institutions have certified 454 Transnistria-based economic agents before August 1, 2008, of which 160 were recorded for a permanent term and another 294 for a temporary term. The external trade of Transnistria registered by Moldovan customs bodies was worth 654.4 million dollars, of which 569.5 million dollars in exports and 84.9 million dollars in imports. The geography of Transnistrian supplies cover 69 countries. Eighty percent of exports go to 9 countries, in particular, Russia, Romania, Poland, Italy, Germany, Ukraine, Turkey, Syria, and Austria. Forty-seven percent of Transnistrian exports go to the Commonwealth of Independent States and another 34.3 percent to the European Union.

The Ribnita-based Metallurgical Plant covered 88 percent of all export declarations, achieving a 55-percent growth compared with the same period of last year. Almost half (46 percent) of its goods go to Russia, and another half go to 36 countries. Supplies by the light industry (textiles, clothes, footwear, etc.) have grown by 39 percent. The EU is the No.1 market for these goods (it absorbs more than 85 percent). The cement ranks the 3^rd place in the Transnistrian export, as the cement manufacturing has grown eightfold compared with the same period of 2007. This export goes, in particular, to Russia, Romania and Palestine. Transnistrian unionists were astonished after releasing these statistics, saying that they "are working hard, but the Transnistrian treasury is empty so far."

Regroupings of political forces

It was announced on September 15, 2008 that the Patriotic Party of Transnistria (PPT) led by Oleg Smirnov, the son of Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov, has plans to merger with the Republican Party of Transnsitria (RPT) headed by Vladimir Rileakov, a well-known red director who supported the Transnistrian regime in the early 1990s. The news comes to confirm statements delivered on September 13, when a news conference with the participation of Oleg Smirnov, Vladimir Rileakov and Roman Hudeakov, leaders of the Transnistrian branch of the Russian Democratic Liberal Party, discussed joint efforts of the three parties to support the introduction of the proportional electoral system instead of the majority system. The consolidation of political forces with the participation of the son of Igor Smirnov, Oleg, may be regarded as an additional indicator that the latter will succeed his father. Another indicator in this regard is that fact that Igor Smirnov was accompanied by his son at diverse meetings with Russian officials this year. Key messages of the 4^th Congress of PPT led by Oleg Smirnov reveal that this party is getting ready for a serious political race with the Obnovlenye Party headed by Transnistrian speaker Evgeny Shevchiuk, the political rival of Igor Smirnov. In this respect, the assault by Oleg Smirnov against the course of liberalisation of the Transnistrian economy held by Obnovlenye as a political representative of the influent interests of Sheriff Company is not an occurrence. Oleg Smirnov and his party have recently proposed a new tax for monopolist corporations and their super profits, envisaging Sheriff directly. Also, they propose a proportional taxation of incomes and luxury estates. The electoral tint of these initiatives is clear, being consolidated by patriotic messages, recognition of the Orthodoxy as an official religion, introduction of religion in schools, etc.

According to Regnum.Ru, Olvia-Press, Novy Reghion, Nezavisimaia Gazeta

Foreign Affairs

European Integration

Moldova seeks an Association Agreement with EU and accession to EU FP7 on research

Deputy Minister Andrei Stratan, minister of foreign affairs and European integration, met officials of the European Commission, EU Council and European Parliament in Brussels on September 10, 2008. While discussing with Mrs. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European commissioner for external relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, the Moldovan foreign minister approached issues related to internal developments in Moldova from the European integration perspective, Moldova-EU relations and settlement of the Transnistrian conflict. Mrs. Waldner appreciated Moldova’s position concerning the situation in Georgia and reconfirmed the EU support for getting the mandate on future Moldova-EU cooperation agreement, saying that it should be quite ambitious and fit internal realities of the EU. Also, the European official emphasised the importance of organising and conducting fair parliamentary elections in 2009 for the European future of Moldova. In his turn, Mr. Stratan assured that the Transnistria settlement negotiations will restart in the "5+2" format only, stressing that Moldova seeks an Association Agreement as future legal accord with the EU. During the same visit, the Moldovan foreign minister along with Gheorghe Duca, chairman of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, has met Mr. Janez Potocnik, European commissioner for science and research, to discuss Moldova’s association to the EU FP7 on research, participation in joint research projects, identification of mobility programmes for researchers, takeover of good EU practices in the field of science and strengthening of skills of scientific centres / Academy of Sciences. (According to the MFAEI press release from 11.09.2008)

Bilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova – Czech Republic

During September 2–3, 2008, Moldovan Prime Minister Zinaida Greceanii was on an official visit to the Czech Republic and met high-ranking Czech dignitaries there, in particular, Czech President Vaclav Klaus, Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, the heads of the Upper and Lower Chambers of the Czech Parliament, Premysl Sobotka and Miloslav Vlcek, etc. During meetings with Czech officials the Moldovan premier has presented reforms implemented by Moldova and discussed opportunities to develop the Moldovan-Czech relations (in the field of energy, commerce and visa regime), as the Czech Republic is expected to take over the EU Presidency in January 2009, thanking the Czech side for supporting Moldova in the European integration process and helping it to remedy consequences of floods. In their turn, the Czech president and prime minister assured that the Czech Republic supports Moldova’s European aspirations and it will keep assisting Moldova in this respect. During the visit, the Czech and Moldovan presidents have signed a protocol to the agreement on reciprocal protection of investments. Also, Mrs. Greceanii has attended the Moldovan-Czech economic forum organised in Prague over her visit, as well as the opening of the new headquarters of the Moldovan Embassy to the Czech Republic.

Multilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova – Council of Europe

During September 8–9, the Council of Europe corapporteur for Moldova, Mrs. Josette Durrieu, was on a fact-collection visit to Chisinau. Mrs. Durrieu has met state and parliamentary officials, leaders of parliamentary factions, heads of ministries and departments, representatives of the electronic media watchdog CCA and Public Company TeleRadio-Moldova, etc. She appreciated the stable economic and political situation in Moldova, welcoming the honouring of almost all commitments assumed by Moldova to revise the legal framework. At the same time, organising and conducting parliamentary elections in Moldova is so far "a test of political maturity" for Moldova and taking this test is for the interest of the Government, as it will encourage the European integration of the country. According to the European officials, the organisation of the 2009 parliamentary elections is being monitored.

Republic of Moldova – NATO

The meeting of the North Atlantic Council 26 + Republic of Moldova took place in Brussels on September 10, 2007. It focussed on assessing the progress made by Moldova in implementing the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) with NATO on the basis of the NATO Mission evaluation report from March 2008. The Moldovan side was represented by Deputy Premier Andrei Stratan, minister of foreign affairs and European integration, and Defence Minister Vitalie Vrabie. The head of the Moldovan delegation, Andrei Stratan, has presented accomplishments of IPAP, stressing further objectives in reforming the national security and defence system and areas of cooperation requiring the NATO assistance. He reported the evolution of internal reforms in Moldova in the context of European aspirations of the country and revealed Moldova’s desire to sign an Association Agreement with the EU, which would stipulate Moldova’s status of candidate to the EU. NATO representatives reconfirmed the NATO position to keep cooperating with Moldova on the basis of an updated IPAP. In this respect, participants formulated recommendations on further implementation of the Plan, expressing readiness to provide assistance. Also, the Moldovan delegation has also met NATO Secretary-General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer and discussed latest developments in the Transnistria settlement process additionally to IPAP-related issues. (According to MFAEI press releases)

Studies, Analyses, Comments

"Kozak-2 plan" or recognition of Transnistria?
Maxim Kuzovlev, 15 September 2008

The agenda of Russian President Dmitri Medvedev for August 26 was pretty busy. On that day, the Russian chief of state informed the world community that it has signed the decree recognising the Republic of South Ossetia (RSO) and the Republic of Abkhazia

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