EU’s policy towards Moldova A change of wind’?

EU’s policy towards Moldova a change of wind?

‘Change of wind’?

OVERVIEW Country profile: history, ethnic composition, economic indicators EU-Moldova relations before ENP ENP towards Moldova Future prospects

Republic of Moldova

Short 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 Post-war Post-war Soviet Control

Short history Post-war Growing self-expression

Short history Post-war Gagauzia Aug 1990 Transnistria Sep 1990

Short history Post-war Moldova declares independence from the Soviet Union 27 Aug 1991

Short 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 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 population Ethnic groups: Moldovan/Romanian 64.5% Ukrainian 13.8% Russian 13% Jewish 1.5% Bulgarian 2% Gagauz and other 5.2% National language - Moldovan Religion - 98% Eastern Orthodox

Moldova economy and population National language - Moldovan Religion - 98% Eastern Orthodox

Moldova economy and population National language - Moldovan Religion - 98% Eastern Orthodox

Moldova economy and population % Live below the poverty line

Moldova economy and population GDP% (2005) GDP per capita (US$ at PPP) - 1,900 (2004)

?Moldovan

Moldova economy and population GDP% (2005) GDP per capita (US$ at PPP) - 1,900 (2004) Unemployment - 8%, but 25% emplyed abroad (mostly illegally) Total pop. - 4,455,421(2005) Pop. below poverty line - 80% (2001) Ethnic groups: Moldovan/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, Gagauz and other 5.2% National language - Moldovan Religion - 98% Eastern Orthodox

EU-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 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 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 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 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? 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? 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