Foreign minister says Moldova to seek differentiation from other partners at Riga Summit

Chisinau, 8 April /MOLDPRES/ - Exclusive interview given by Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and European Integration Minister Natalia Gherman with the MOLDPRES State News Agency. 

[MOLDPRES]: Moldova has been recently visited by the Latvian foreign minister and the secretary of state for European affairs of France. You have discussed with the officials about preparations for the Eastern Partnership Summit, due to be held in Riga in next May. What are Moldova's expectations from this event?

[Gherman]: At the beginning of the mandate, we are visited by more European senior officials, which represents an important support to Moldova on behalf of the European Union. We and officials from France and Latvia discussed our priorities and how the EU commits to assist us in achieving the set objectives. Presently, there is no other framework for promoting reforms in Moldova but the pro-European one, in line with the European standards and norms. That is because the Association Agreement represents the current governance programme in terms of structure, timeline, accountability of the institutions involved and the support from the entire society.

I want to assure you that Moldova will show up very well prepared at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga. We are really the most advanced country in the Eastern Partnership in terms of the relation with the EU. We have good reports, important results and we truly want to be distinguished and differentiated from other eastern partners by our own merits and results achieved in the implementation of the European agenda. It remains to be seen how much this differentiated approach will be ensured. As it depends on us, but it equally depends on our European partners. If differentiated approach is ensured, the next step should be shaping of the future relation between Moldova and EU. We shall see how that will be covered in the documents of the Riga Summit. We firmly declare and reiterate the message that Moldova, as a European state through history, heritage, civilisation and values, deserves to be a full-fledged EU member in the foreseeable future. We recognise, at t the same time, that this requires a number of conditions that each aspiring state must implement before to applying for membership.

[MOLDPRES]: How much money will Moldova receive in 2015 for the implementation of the Association Agreement with the European Union and how will they be used?

[Gherman]: Moldova and the EU every year negotiate both areas where assistance will be provided for pressing ahead with reforms, and the amounts provided. About 100 million euros is scheduled for 2015. The areas of country budget 's direct assistance to implement reforms are: continuing reform in the justice sector, energy, rural development and vocational education. Money is offered and received only following strict checkings by EU and observance of more conditionalities.   

[Moldpres]: More officials have previously said that Moldova would submit the application on accession to EU in 2015. But, after the elections, there were opinions that we are not ready for this. What steps Moldova should take till the application’s submission and when will it be ready to do this?

[Gherman]: We must continue implementing the Association Agreement and Free Trade Area. We have to attain a critical mass of progress and achievements, which will prepare us for submitting the application on getting the status of candidate to accession. The application is not a goal in itself, but an instrument that prepares us for launching talks on accession. The application has to be submitted when we will be sure that the answer is positive. Both Moldova and EU have to be ready. At this stage, we have to prepare a little bit better, to choose with maximum responsibility and to coordinate very well the moment of submitting the application, to analyse together with EU when it is the most appropriate moment and then to do it. I hope that this moment will be very soon.

[Moldpres]: What may happen if we nevertheless submit an accession application and get a refuse from EU? Have such situations happened before?

[Gherman]: Yes, such situations have happened. For me and my colleagues, who are involved in this process, Albania’s example has always been, when at a certain moment, it forwarded this application to EU and was refused. So, the important moment for launching the negotiations on accession to EU has been lost by Albania for at least five years. This is because when you get a negative reply, the case of this country is not re-examined immediately and they suppose that it is necessary to wait some time till realities and reforms in this country will be more convincing.

[Moldpres]: Which are the priorities of Moldova's foreign policy for the next four years?

[Gherman]: The absolute priority, both at the domestic and external levels, is Moldova’s European integration and taking into account this major goal – developing cooperation and interaction with the European institutions and EU member states. Another important objective remains the development of ties with neighbouring states. We speak out for maintaining the strategic dialogue with the USA, which has been launched recently. Our important partners, such as: China, Russia, states from Asia, din Middle East will also be in our attention. We will promote the economic diplomacy, will facilitate attraction of foreign investments into the economy, we will take care of identifying new sales markets for Moldovan products. It is very important that, within international organisations, Moldova further has its own voice. The opportunities provided by UN will be fully developed. At regional level, we actively cooperate with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and Council of Europe. And not in the least, the Moldovan diplomatic and consular service will always keep a close eye on problems of Moldovans residing abroad.

[Moldpres]: In the context of the nearing of the Eastern Partnership Summit, due in Riga, which foreign officials will come to Moldova in the near future and which states you are to visit?

[Gherman]: Moldova is to be visited by more foreign ministers, especially those of the EU member states. We are waiting on visit the Swedish, Slovakian and Austrian foreign ministers. I will take part in the meeting of Eastern Partnership foreign ministers – a step of preparation for the Riga Summit. On 15 May, I will have another possibility to coordinate Moldova’s positions with the EU’s ones within a meeting of foreign ministers of Visegard Group and Eastern Partnership. Afterwards, the Riga Summit is to take place. Next week, I will pay a visit to Qatar. We will officially inaugurate Moldova’s embassy in Qatar. I will meet more officials and sign two bilateral agreements. Besides, I will participate in a conference organised under UN’s aegis, which will take place in Doha.

Moldova will also be visited by French and Luxembourg prime ministers. Thus, we have a rich agenda.

(Reporter N. Sandu, Editor L. Alcaza)