EU’s policy towards Moldova

1. EU’s policy towards Moldova EU’s policy towards Moldova a change of wind?

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

3. Republic of Moldova

4. 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)

5. 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)

6. 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

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

8. Moldova economy and population 80% Live below the poverty line 4 455 421

9. 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 • 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

10. 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)

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Presented by Thank you for you attention! Sylvia Szabo