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Activity of Public Institutions

Government
Presidency

Common lists of candidates by Igor Botan

Activity of Public Institutions

Government

1.1. Appointments. Dismissals

Artur Visotin was nominated chief of the Civil Service Centre.

1.2. Decisions

Decision concerning the indexation of social insurance and some state social allowances. It sets a 20-percent indexation coefficient for 2009 and following will be indexed starting April 1, 2009: all types of pensions established and calculated on the basis of the law on state social insurance pensions; service length pensions paid from state social insurance budget; pensions for public servants established under the law on public service; pensions for customs officers established under the law on customs service; invalidity allowances established under the law on insurance for work accidents and professional diseases; pensions established under the law on social protection of citizens affected by the Chernobyl catastrophe etc. Pensions of members to Parliament, Government, public servants, local elected officials and customs officers will be indexed just the amount paid from the state social insurance budget.

Decision concerning some actions to remedy consequences of the summer 2008 natural calamities and housing of victims. It creates a group to examine the technical condition of deteriorated homes and a negotiation commission to purchase houses for victims. The Ministry of Construction and Area Development will ensure by May 1, 2009 the purchasing of building materials needed to repair and consolidate deteriorated homes and will deliver them to victims for free, while the Ministry of Finance will allocate 2 million lei to purchase necessary homes and building materials.

Decision concerning some actions for the operation of the Giurgiulesti Free International Port. The Agency for Land Relations and Cadastre is entrusted to organise works via subordinated institutions, issue necessary documents and carry out transactions relating to expropriation of private real estate assets (fields and constructions) located in the area of public works close to the Giurgiulesti village. A commission is created to settle reactions of expropriated people to related proposals.

Decisions approving some regulations:

• Concerning the contest-based employment in a public office;
• Concerning the trial period for beginning public servant;
• Concerning the authorisation of nuclear and radiological operations;
• The regulation on cadastre of vegetal regnum objects.

Decisions approving plans, programmes, policy documents:

• The development programme of light industry until 2015;

Decision on allocation of funds. The Government Apparatus is allocated 1.987 million lei to manufacture, deliver, import 500 insignia of the "Bogdan Intemeietorul" Order, manufacture 2,000 jubilee medals "650^th Anniversary of Moldovan Country", 100 insignia "Artist of People", 300 insignia "Emeritus Artist".

1.3. Sittings. Decisions. Statements.

Penalties for delayed payment of increased salaries

Prime minister has ordered the sanctioning of local public administration representatives who delay the payment of increased salaries to budgetary employees. This order comes after the Ministry of Finance said that increased wages were not paid in 13 rayons before March 1 for various reasons, though more than 621 million lei was already transferred to local public administrations. Prime minister described the situation as a direct sabotage by local administrations in the context of electoral campaign, aimed to destabilise the situation in country, and ordered the creation of a working group to control local public administration bodies and resolve problems.

Presidency

2.1. Decrees

The Honour Order was awarded to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Mr. Terry Davis.

The crew of SAAB-200 airbus of the Carpatair Company was awarded for high professionalism and sacrifice spirit proved in the emergency which occurred during the Chisinau-Timisoara flight: the Honour Order was awarded to pilots Leonid Babivschi and Iurie Oleacov and the Civic Merit Medal was awarded to stewardesses Natalia Borozan and Violeta Tibulschi.

The Labour Glory Order was awarded to:

• Galina Bulat, deputy minister of education and youth;
• Valeriu Bogdan, director-general of the Joint Stock Society Promtehgaz.

Outgoing United Kingdom Ambassador to Moldova John Beyer was awarded the Civic Merit Medal.

2.2. Sittings. Decisions. Statements

Increased social protection for veterans

Moldova’s president has convoked a working sitting on actions to be taken in connection with the 65^th anniversary of Moldova’s liberation from fascist occupation. In particular, the sitting focused on social support for former participants and invalids of the World War II, with Vladimir Voronin raising initiatives aimed to enhance the social protection for WWII invalids and participants, including a 50-percent rise of state allocation for these people.

State security and consumer protection

A sitting of the Supreme Security Council has tackled the protection of consumer rights, with the chief of state saying that the present situation is alarming and demanding urgent actions to improve it. It was mentioned among shortcomings the imperfect legal and institutional framework; inefficient functioning of control bodies in the field of protection of consumer rights; jeopardised public health and security of population. The chief of state indicated the need to establish very strict requirements for imported commodities.

Positive evolution of macroeconomic indicators

The presidential administration has convoked a meeting on financial-economic situation and actions taken by authorities to maintain financial stability, which found that a positive evolution of macroeconomic indicators is observed in Moldova this year despite the difficult economic environment in the region. In the context of continuing the implementation of social programmes released by authorities, it was discussed the preparation of the second round of indexation of deposits of people in Banca de Economii, with the Government being expected to present an implementation mechanism shortly. Vladimir Voronin insisted on special importance of maintaining an exigent control on economic-financial situation.

Note by ADEPT: Trends of the leu devaluation versus main foreign currencies were observed shortly after the meeting concerned, with authorities blaming public statements delivered by economic commentators and published by the media for this situation.

Increased attention for agro-food sector

A meeting convoked by chief of state has considered situation in agro-food sector and necessary actions to conduct successful spring agricultural works. It was noted that autumn crops are in a satisfactory condition and all necessary seeds are available. Current problems of agro-food complex include among others the lack of sale markets, circulating means, little possibilities of agricultural producers to get bank credits, as the interest rate is very high, failure of processing enterprises to pay raw material suppliers. Participants in the sitting worked out organisational, financial-bank and budgetary proposals which shall be implemented in order to improve the situation in agro-industrial complex: auctions held to purchase 40,000 tons of fodder wheat for the state reserve shall be finalised; the Fiscal Inspectorate shall not block accounts of agricultural enterprises throughout spring works; an efficient system shall be elaborated to reimburse the VAT operatively to farmers; a mechanism shall be set up to monitor the use of funds by commercial banks and reduce the interest rate on credits granted to agriculture; credits formerly granted by commercial banks to agro-industrial economic agents shall be restructured. The chief of state stressed the necessity to plant 7,000 hectares of vineyards and 5,000 hectares of orchards and work out a schedule of payment of debts by crop processing enterprises to agricultural producers for the production purchased in 2008.

Economic Policies

1. Inflation and prices

Prices "moving backward"

BNS data show that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in February 2009 was 99 percent compared with January 2009 and 103.1 percent compared with February 2008 (for information, CPI was 101.5 percent in February 2008 compared with January 2008 and 114.8 percent compared with February 2007). Therefore, Moldova records a negative inflation rate (deflation) for the first two months (minus 1.1 percent). Consumer prices decreased by 1 percent, as prices of food products have declined by 1.8 percent, manufactured goods by 1 percent, while tariffs for public services rose by 0.2 percent.

In comparison with January 2009, prices of rice dropped by 7 percent, vegetal oil by 5.5 percent, grits by about 5 percent, bread by nearly 4 percent, grapes by about 4 percent, sugar by 3.5 percent, fresh fruits by 3.4 percent (apples by about 5 percent), fresh vegetables, fowl and wheat flour by more than 3.1 percent. As for manufactured goods, prices of fuels have decreased by 5.5 percent (bottled natural gas by 15.4 percent, coal by 3.1 percent, motor fuels by 0.8 percent) in the period concerned, building materials by 1.7 percent, footwear by 0.7 percent, and ready-made clothes by 0.5 percent.

Tariffs for public alimentation and telecommunication services rose by more than 1 percent in February 2009. At the same time, tariffs for interurban public motor transportation services were reduced by about 5 percent in February, interstate railway transport by 0.4 percent and hotel services by 0.5 percent.

2. Macroeconomics

International forecasts "push" Moldova to recession…

The British Economist Intelligence Unit anticipates that Moldova’s economy will contract by 1 percent this year. On the other hand, Moldovan Government expects a 6-percent economic growth. British experts say that Moldova’s GDP will fall this year and the economic growth will be recovered in 2010 only, when it will be approximately 3 percent. The budgetary deficit could reach 1.5 billion lei, the country will be short of funds to develop announced programmes and, in consequence, the Government will have to update the expenses, should these forecasts become true.

At the same time, the International Monetary Fund anticipates that Moldova’s reserve currency will fall by more than 600 million dollars this year. As well, IMF experts simulated a heavier model for Moldova – the reserve currency of the country could decline by more than 1.3 billion dollars, from 1.365 billion dollars at present, should remittances, exports and foreign investments fall suddenly. For example, remittances accounted for 64.8 billion dollars in January 2009, falling by about 28 percent compared with the same period of 2008, when this indicator exceeded 71 million dollars. Remittances have actually substituted Moldova’s economy and this is not a good solution for a long term. The fall of remittances will reduce the purchase power of people.

According to this scenario, Moldova’s economy will enter into recession and a 4.5-percent fall could be recorded in 2009. This is a mathematical exercise, but these estimates should be taken into account as last version. IMF has recently updated its forecasts for the poorest countries. Hereby, IMF forecasts a 3.5-percent GDP growth for Moldova in 2009. On the other hand, EBRD economists say that Moldova’s economy could grow by 4.1 percent in 2009.

3. Infrastructure

All our roads… will they ever repair?

According to the third annual Travel & Tourism Competiveness Report, Moldova is ranked the 132nd place among 133 countries in terms of quality of traffic infrastructure. The report worked out by the World Economic Forum ranks Moldova among countries with worst traffic infrastructure like Chad, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Paraguay and Bolivia. As well, the quality of transport network in Moldova is also bad, with our country being ranked the 87th place. In addition, Moldova is considered an "expensive" country in terms of air tickets and airport taxes. Here Moldova is ranked the 108th place among 133 countries. The Constraints Analysis worked out in 2007 reveals a similar situation.

Table 1. Evolution of the roads network conditions in Moldova



Source: Analysis of the current condition of the Moldovan Transport Sector, World Bank, 2007.

On the other hand, Moldova has progressed in terms of hospitality, level of fuel prices, hotel services. It climbed five places in the Travel & Tourism Competiveness Report and ranked the 93^rd place among 133 countries, compared with the 98^th in 2008. Moldova is ranked between Kazakhstan and El Salvador. Romania is ranked the 66^th place, Ukraine the 77^th, Russia the 59^th. The rating was carried out on the basis of some indicators such as tourism regulatory framework, infrastructure, natural resources and human capital. Switzerland, Austria and Germany are the most attractive countries for tourism development, ranking the first three places, while Burundi, Lesotho and Chad rank the last three places.

4. Social protection

Pensions in Moldova are among lowest in the region…

Moldova is ranked the 8^th place in the Commonwealth of Independent States and Baltic Countries in terms of minimum pension. According to statistics, a Moldovan retiree was earning minimum 45 dollars in early February. The highest minimum pensions are paid by Estonia – 170 dollars, Latvia 136 dollars and Kazakhstan 101 dollars. Moldova was ranked after Azerbaijan, which pays a minimum pension of more than 93 dollars, Lithuania 92 dollars, Ukraine 70 dollars, Belarus 67 dollars, and Russia 51 dollars. The ranking ends with Uzbekistan – 40 dollars, Georgia 33 dollars, Armenia 26 dollars, Tajikistan 16 dollars, and Kirgizstan 13 dollars.

Table 2. Minimum pensions in CIS member states



Source: www.infotag.md

Building non-state or private pension funds is being discussed for quite a long time, as legislation seems to be well for this purpose, but no actions are taken in this respect. On the other hand, these funds are part of a developed financial market, while our financial or capital market is underdeveloped. For example, employees’ liabilities to private pension funds would be an investment in a more quite and stable retirement to match annual contributions and a lasting solution to a long-term crediting for economic agents. More by token that these institutions along with banks make the same financial market everywhere and Moldovan legislation allows building such funds.

A solution to beat the crisis would be for the Government to find all possible ways in order to oblige Moldovans working legally abroad to contribute to the pension system in their host countries and further transfer their rights. But this would be possible in case Moldova has (or will have) such agreements with countries concerned. Otherwise, Moldovan immigrants could contribute directly to the domestic pension system, as its security could be threatened when some emigrants will come back home.

In this respect, estimates by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reveal that the number of population will fall by 10 percent in 2010–2050 in 45 countries, including Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Romania and Ukraine. Updated UNFPA forecasts say that Moldova will have only 2.9 million people in 2050, should the state of things be the same (low birth rate, negative natural rise, massive emigration of population), so that the economically active people will not exceed 1 million and maximum half of them will be salary earners, while the number of retirees will exceed one million (more than 640,000 people at present). Respectively, a salary earner will "carry" more than two retirees.

Transdnistrian Problem

"2+1" consultations

Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov has announced that a "meeting of presidents in a 2+1 format" was set for March 18, 2009 in Moscow. He instructed the department for foreign relations to prepare the meeting jointly with the Russian Embassy in Chisinau. Smirnov stressed that the "meeting of presidents" Medvedev and Smirnov will take place anyway, while a confirmation of the participation of Vladimir Voronin was expected. Chisinau authorities confirmed that the chief of state will participate in the March 18-scheduled meeting.

Ukraine accepts "2+1" consultations, not negotiations

The special representative of Ukraine at the "5+2" negotiations, Victor Krizhanovsky, has visited Tiraspol to discuss with Transnistrian foreign minister the situation relating to the Transnistrian settlement before the March 18-set meeting in Moscow. The Ukrainian diplomat noted that Ukraine will not change its positions concerning the Transnistrian settlement after the resignation of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vladimir Ogrizko. Krizhanovsky stressed that Ukraine has nothing against "2+1" consultations, but it does not accept the signing of any political documents without its participation: "We do not warm separate negotiations. No agreement is possible without Ukraine, as this would mean eroding the negotiation process. We do not want to be common signatories; we want to keep participating actively in the negotiation process." In his turn, Transnistrian foreign minister Vladimir Yastrebciak stated: "This position of Ukraine is well-known, we have an understanding attitude, but the Moscow trilateral meeting does not mean undermining the "5+2" format. The vacuum in the negotiation process must be filled up and any mediation initiatives are welcome in this regard. These are not separate negotiations; all will be transparent for all participants in negotiation process."

Ukraine will open interdepartmental structure for Transnistria settlement

While visiting Tiraspol, the special representative of Ukraine at the "5+2" negotiations, Victor Kryzhanovsky, has stated that his country will promote a very clear and outlined policy on Transnistrian settlement. He noted that an interdepartmental group will be established and it will be headed by Stepan Gavrish, deputy secretary of the Security and Defence Council. Kryzhjanovsky will be the deputy of Gavris. The necessity of setting this group was dictated by the fact that Ukrainian ministries and departments do not coordinate their actions very well in relations with Transnistria. "Each ministry or department in charge with regulating Moldovan-Transnistrian relations has its interests. The Foreign Ministry has to harmonise these interests and this requires time. Equilibrium of these interests is needed."

Eventual Voronin-Smirnov meeting

The Transnistrian leader has stated that he could meet separately with Vladimir Voronin in Transnistria in the second half of March, in order to discuss issues related to commercial cooperation, exports by Transnistrian economic agents, other problems aimed to facilitate the life of people. He stressed that the Tiraspol administration does not warm the "package of documents" on conflict resolution which President Vladimir Voronin handed in to Igor Smirnov at the December 24, 2008 meeting, since Moldovan authorities did not give green light to the initiative to sign a friendship and cooperation treaty with Transnistria. Serious talks could focus only on an "agreement on harmonising relations" with the Republic of Moldova.

Foreign trade exceeded 2.5 billion dollars in 2008

Transnistria’s foreign trade was worth 2.571 billion dollars in 2008, according to the statistics department from the secessionist region. Exports were worth 928.9 million dollars and imports amounted to 1,642.6 million dollars. The trade balance was negative – 713.7 million dollars. In 2008 the Transnistrian region held commercial relations with 114 countries, including 12 CIS member states. The trade with CIS states covered 55 percent of the exports and 68.7 percent of the imports. The import-export proportion in relations with Ukraine is 3:1. Overall production in 2008 was by 2.1 percent smaller than in 2007. Inflation was 33 percent.

Social problems in Transnistrian region

The Transnistrian statistics department has reported wages in the eastern region of Moldova. In particular, the average salary in 2008 was 246 dollars. The average wage of budgetary organisations was 118 dollars. The highest average salaries on sectors were recorded in energy, banking and insurance, respectively 595, 435 and 365 dollars. The nominal average wage has increased by 28.2 percent in 2008 compared with 2009, but the real average salary covered just 96.1 percent of the one paid in 2007. Retirees count for 133,209 people before January 1, 2009, which is by 115 persons less than on January 1, 2008. The average pension in the region amounted to 54 dollars in 2008.

Transnistrian NGOs seek proportional electoral system

Twenty Transnistrian nongovernmental organisations backed requirements for introduction of a proportional electoral system in the region chosen by the Supreme Soviet. The proportional system is expected to represent widely different groups of people. The initiative seeking the adoption of a proportional electoral system is motivated by necessity to harmonise the Transnistrian legislation with Russian laws. However, developers consider that the electoral threshold in Transnistria should be 2–3 percent, not 7 percent like in Russia. As well, they seek open, not closed candidate lists, as voters should know those who will represent them for five years.

Sittings of Joint Control Commission are inefficient so far

Sittings of the Joint Control Commission (JCC) are inefficient so far. Just talks on agenda take two hours. Last sitting on March 12, 2009 focussed on two Moldovan prisons based in Bender municipality and training centre of the Transnistrian defence ministry dislocated to Cetatea Bender. Separatist authorities want the prisons to be shut up while Moldovan representatives invoke the necessity to close the training centre, as it violates the convention on principles of peaceful settlement of the armed conflict in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, signed by Russian and Moldovan presidents on July 21, 1992.

Foreign Affairs

European Integration

British Parliament releases motion to support Moldova

According to a communication by the Ministry of Foreign Relations and European Integration of Moldova, the House of Commons of the United Kingdom Parliament has released a parliamentary motion "Future of Moldova" to sustain Moldova’s efforts in fulfilling its European integration and country reintegration goals.

The parliamentary motion was worked out by a group of parliamentarians headed by Mr. Alun Michael, member to the British-Moldovan parliamentary friendship group, and was signed by 53 members to the House of Commons. The parliamentary motion supports Moldova’s European integration prospect, with the signing of a new Moldovan-community legal framework which would ensure Moldova’s way forward accession to EU. At the same time, the motion backs the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova, calling for the resumption of the "5+2" Transnistrian settlement negotiation process. It highly appreciates the activity of the EU Border Assistance Mission and calls for the extension of its mandate after 2009. (According to MFAEI communication)

General Report on EU activities in 2008

The European Commission has published the General Report on the Activities of the European Union in 2008.

Bilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova – Bulgaria

During March 12–13, 2009, Bulgarian President Gheorghi Pirvanov was on a formal visit to Chisinau, met Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin and visited the Taraclia-based State University. During bilateral talks, the sides approached issues relating to socio-economic cooperation between Bulgaria and Moldova, as well as topical international matters. In particular, it was mentioned an unused potential of bilateral commercial-economic relations and necessity to implement joint investment projects in future, including with a touristic destination. Speaking about Moldova’s European option, Gheorghi Pirvanov assured that Bulgaria will support the European integration efforts of Moldova. (According to a press release by Moldovan Presidency)

Note by ADEPT: Many political commentators said that the visit of the Bulgarian president in full electoral campaign was part of visits bringing electoral capital to PCRM and aiming less at getting Bulgaria’s support in the European integration process of Moldova, with Bulgaria having many faults within EU.

Multilateral cooperation

Republic of Moldova – Council of Europe

ECHR decisions

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) pronounced a decision on Eugenia and Doina Duca vs. Moldova on March 3, 2009. It established violation of the rights to property and fair trial. Non-pecuniary and pecuniary damages will be established under a separate decision.

On March 10, 2009, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights pronounced a decision on Paladi vs. Moldova. The case was resent to the Grand Chamber at the request of Moldovan Government after the 4^th Chamber awarded victory to Paladi vs. Moldova on July 10, 2007. The Grand Chamber confirmed the violation of the right to freedom and security and the right to appeal to the Court, as well as violation of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ban of torture and degrading treatment). The Court granted 2,080 Euros to the applicant in pecuniary damages, 15,000 Euros in non-pecuniary damages and 7,000 Euros in costs and expenses. (Source: www.echr.coe.int and www.lhr.md)

Visit by Council of Europe Secretary-General Terry Davis

During March 5–6, 2009, Council of Europe Secretary-General Terry Davis was on a working visit to Chisinau, discussed with President Vladimir Voronin, Prime Minister Zinaida Grecianii, and participated in the inauguration of the first promotion of the National Institute of Justice. During discussions, Terry Davis appreciated progresses made by Moldova in some areas, including in terms of alignment to European standards and norms. At the same time, the secretary-general said that these successes are not a reason to relax and Moldovan authorities shall keep developing democratic reforms, strengthening the rule of law and ensuring respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Speaking about forthcoming parliamentary elections in Moldova, Mr. Davis said that the Council of Europe wants these elections to be fair. The CoE Parliamentary Assembly will monitor the electoral process and will work out a report.

Studies, Analyses, Comments

Common lists of candidates
Igor Botan, 9 March 2009

Amendments operated to the Election Code last year have incensed controversies. The Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM) and the Christian Democratic People’s Party (PPCD), promoters of a higher electoral threshold up to 6 percent, besides prohibition of electoral blocs have motivated their option by necessity to avoid an excessive fragmentation of the future Parliament

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