EU’s policy towards Moldova EU’s policy towards Moldova

EU’s policy towards Moldova EU’s policy towards Moldova

a change of wind?

OVERVIEWOVERVIEW

• Country profile: history, ethnic composition, economic indicators

• EU-Moldova relations before ENP

• ENP towards Moldova

• Future prospects

Republic of MoldovaRepublic of Moldova

Short history 1Short history 1

•Post-war reestablishment of Soviet control

• Increasing self-expression in the 1990s•Secession of Gagauzia (Aug 1990) and

Transnistria (Sep 1990)•Moldova declares its independence

from the Soviet Union (27 Aug 1991)

Short history 2Short history 2

•Snegur elected first independent unopposed candidate (1991) - beginning of transition to democracy

•Transnistria and Gaugaz minority granted autonomy (1994)

•Pre-western communist leader Voronin elected president (2000, re-elected in March 2005)

Moldova economy and populationMoldova economy and population

Ethnic groups: • Moldovan/Romanian 64.5%• Ukrainian 13.8%• Russian 13%• Jewish 1.5%• Bulgarian 2%• Gagauz and other 5.2%

Moldova economy and populationMoldova economy and population

Moldova economy and populationMoldova economy and population

4 455 42180%Live below the poverty line

EU-Moldova relations before ENP 1EU-Moldova relations before ENP 1

• Example of confusion and neglect:- EU never sought direct involvement in

conflict resolution- In 1994 Moldova signed PCA (entered into

force in 1998) - no promise of membership- 1996-97 - Moldova attempted to receive a

status of associate (with no success)- In 2001 Moldova joined the Stability Pact

(hope for membership)- In 2003 Moldova was included in ENP

EU-Moldova relations before ENP 2EU-Moldova relations before ENP 2

• Assistance provided:- Tacis programme (since 1991) -

institutional. legal, economic reforms support

- Macroeconomic assistance (balance of payment loans)

- Humanitarian assistance through ECHO- In trade Moldova has benefited from GPS

(but wine and textiles are excluded)

EU-Moldova relations under ENP EU-Moldova relations under ENP

• ENP launched in 2003 materialised through Action Plan

• Action Plan (adopted by Moldova in Feb 2005) set a list of priorities for cooperation between both actors, i.e. alleviation of poverty, conflict resolution

• Two main challenges of ENP twds Moldova: Transdniestria and relations with Russia

• However, ENP twds Moldova is becoming more active than previous EU policies

ENP twds Moldova - change of wind ENP twds Moldova - change of wind

• What change? - Brussels agreed to allow Moldova to export tax-

free to the EU products such as textiles and agricultural goods while allowing Moldova to protect its own market from EU products for up to seven years

- the Commission decided to open a delegation in Moldova

- Brussels said it would appoint a special representative for Moldova, a signal that the EU is preparing to play a more active role in the process of resolving the conflict in Transdniestria

Why change? Why change?

• 2004 enlargement and the prospect of Romania’s accession

• growing realization within the EU there that the Union has the foreign and security policy capabilities to act in Moldova

• Change of regime in Ukraine• Consensus among all major Moldova’s

parties on integration with the EU

What has to be done? What has to be done?

• Implementation of the Action Plan

(conflict resolution, building of civil society and free media, cooperation in JHA)

• Serious reform and democratization of the country would in turn ‘attract’ Transnistria

• Dialogue with Russia

Thank you for you attention!Presented by

Sylvia Szabo