Last week was marked by two important moments in Europe-Romania-Moldova relations: the establishment of an informal group of friends of Moldova in Brussels and Basescu's visit to Chisinau accompanied by almost half of the Romanian government, a strong signal of interest from Romanian this country.

The first concrete results of the visit: the decision to establish a National Authority for Citizenship, which will expedite the granting Romanian citizenship to those who missed it (as most Moldovan) and a grant of 100 million dollars for educational projects, primarily. There is also the promise of connecting networks, energy, transport records, the railway network, etc.. Not for the first time he is talking about something in the relationship between the two countries, but given the new power in Chisinau, the projects are more likely to be achieved in a relatively short time.

Moldovans are Romanians read?

It is one of the most sensitive files. Two years ago, Romania regained the simplified procedure could prove citizenship for Moldovans, until the third generation, there were Romanian citizens. Only last year were awarded nearly 20 thousand citizens. The establishment of the Citizenship, the number of files to be analyzed will go to 100 or even 150 thousand a year. Several issues involved here: Romanian institution will be able to just set up to work quickly and effectively to the wave of applications for citizenship will arrive (it is estimated that there are already 600 thousand applications)? The announcement regarding the establishment of new agencies will likely trigger new applications for grant of citizenship. The question of finding locations where it is situated agency, hiring officials, sharing files, etc..

Logistical issues are but the smallest problem. More important are the political ones. We see that there is primarily a domestic political consensus. UDMR Senator Gyorgy Frunda, a member of the governing party and one Romanian representatives in the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe critical to accelerating the FRY on the grounds that granting Romanian citizenship "not only to help the Russian right wing, whose objective is a Moldova without Romans. "

To have chances of success, "project Moldova" is not only of Traian Basescu, and national consensus must be achieved both in the political class, as well as in society, because there will be voices to protest when they hear that hundreds of thousands Moldovans to become Romanian citizens in a time short enough. At the political level, I saw there, at least apparently, shared vision of both Traian Basescu and Geoana how, if we think the latter's statement: "I welcome this visit. It's a very good thing that Moldova is moving with energetic steps towards democracy and towards Europe. " In addition, PSD can be an important voice around Europe Moldova, through formal and less formal contacts they have in Brussels and other European capitals. We can mention here for example Adrian Severin, who is the "voice" on foreign policy in the European Parliament Socialists.

Moldova is Europe interested?

  Consensus in Romania have achieved on the Moldovan and European level. Frankly, until now Europe has continued to look at Moldova as a state located in the area of influence of Russia and has generally little attention Romanian initiatives in the area. We think about the episode election April 7, when Europe (because of Easter Catholic) reacted late and shy. The situation may change. Group of Friends of Moldova, launched Monday in Brussels and co-chaired by Romania and France, is a first step. As for RFI said Pierre Lellouche, French Minister of European Affairs, the group will send a letter to Catherine Ashton, the High Representative on Foreign Policy of the European Union, a letter will be required to "mobilize" the Moldovan case. Four topics are covered in goal: visas (if they are removed, as happened recently in Serbia, Moldovans can travel more easily in Europe and will diminish the sense of alienation), economy (Moldova is the poorest country in Europe and in need of assistance and investment - will negotiate an Association Agreement and a Free Trade Agreement) institutional reform and human rights and Transnistria (frozen conflict, for whose solution we need an agreement with Moscow). For Europe prosperity and democratization of the Republic of Moldova could be a first sign of success of the recently launched Partnership Eastern, targeting countries in the east. Led by a coalition called Alliance for European Integration, Moldova seems far more fertile ground for this project only European countries like Ukraine or Belarus. NewsIn In a statement, Ambassador of Sweden in Bucharest, spoke as the Group of Friends of Moldova about a "symbolic gesture and welcome." As you know, Sweden is one of the countries interested in the region, co-author, along with Poland, the initiative that led to the Eastern Partnership.

In addition, friends old and new Europe of Moldova may be a subtle lobbying, but targeted the European Commission, Council of Ministers and even the newly created EU External Action Service.

Who's in Chisinau?

  That was in power for European Integration Alliance (EIA) does not mean that Moldova will join the EU tomorrow. First, power in Chisinau is not complete. The current president, Michael Ghimpu is interim, after Parliament failed in two rows in choosing a president because of the opposition Communist Party (needed 61 votes and the parties have only 53 IEA). The situation should be resolved this year or by early legislative elections, which will lead to a new Parliament, either by changing the Constitution (for the election of President by a simple majority). Moreover, even among Alliance not all voices are equally conducive to rapid approach of the EU and, once resolved the issue the president, these voices will be heard a little more clear.

What does Russia?

  As says Pierre Lellouche, Russia is an important element. If Moscow wants, quite easily disrupt the Moldovan political scene. In addition, Transnistrian issue can not be solved without Russia's consent. There are many Russian citizens in Moldova, because Russia has granted citizenship and it Moldovans (especially those in Trasnistria). As stated by one in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, when interest is, Russia is quickly reminded of its citizens. After the recent political changes in Moldova, Moscow has been reserved, which means it will always remain so. This is the area where Europe and the United States may involve the most, because Moscow preferred to discuss the "big ones". The United States recently granted an aid of 260 million dollars while Moldova Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State, said Friday that "the U.S. will help Moldova to improve the lives of its citizens" (in an interview for Voice of America, Clinton talks among theltele about the issue of Russian troops from Transnistria). A Basescu's visit to Moscow, which is spoken for so long, and it might clarify some things.

Conclusion

  Moldova has an area how to Belgium, a population more than twice that of Slovenia, but is a mixture of geopolitical issues worthy of an area ten times larger. Romania is her lawyer in the process of rapprochement with the EU. Recent visit to Chisinau by Traian Basescu, accompanied by six ministers, is a good "family photo" Roman Moldovan, but it takes much longer.

Romania has to play in the team both in relation to Chisinau, whose policy is not very constant, as well as in relations with Europe, U.S., Russia and Ukraine (the country which has borders with Moldova and watching what happens here). For it would be good for Romania to be a team itself. Moldova should not be only "draft soul of the president", but the entire Romanian society. We need a dialogue with political parties in society - that have already appeared voices become Romanian Moldovans say they will take advantage of the Romanian Social without having contributed to them - with business people to invest in Moldova. For a businessman, Moldova is not in itself a big market, but can mean a bridgehead for other destinations, located further east.

Moldova's EU approximation is a long way, which can often stumble, as already said. (In 1991, when he disbanded the Soviet Union, Moldova was economically more advanced than the Baltic states, which has not prevented eventually join the EU even before Romania). 1995 Bucharest signed the EU Association Agreement and not only joined 12 years later. Between Moldova and the EU there is no such agreement. In addition, at European level in the 90s there was enthusiasm related eastward expansion, the Berlin Wall separating memory is still fresh. Now, enthusiasm was replaced with "fatigue" extension. Barriers are higher and the European part.

Basescu will need to put more soul into "the project or the soul" to have chances of success. Romania should be prepared for long discussions, to have the ability to compromise, to seek support in many places. The project will not end in Basescu's mandate and perhaps even in one of the future president. For him to succeed, close to the EU must not only an ambition to be Romanian, but a real desire of those who are beyond the Prut .

SOURCE: rfi.ro