Traian Basescu in Moldova
Ana Luft, January 15, 2010
After the election both in 2004 and in 2009 Traian Basescu implemented his first presidential visit to Chisinau, to the "Moldavian brothers". Almost a half of the Romanian Government accompanied him. In the new political situation all the major issues of bilateral relations have been discussed during this visit.
As a result of Moldavian parliamentary election in April 2009 it became possible to block the election of the communist candidate for a president (minimum of 61 from 101 members of parliament is essential to elect head of state in Moldova, majority, which communists could not obtain this time), and this also lead to a pre-term parliamentary election on 29 July 2009, as a result the ruling Communist party was thrown down after 8 years of communist regime.
However, the election season is not finished yet. Alliance for European Integration (a coalition of four parties: the liberal, democratic, liberal and democratic and party Our Moldova) has a majority in the Parliament (and thus formed the government led by Vlad Filat), however it lacks majority necessary to push through Marian Lupu (former Speaker of Parliament, former member of the Communist Party) to a post of president. Mihai Ghimpu, the Speaker of Parliament is currently acting President of Moldova, hence constitutional law experts puzzle over revising the Constitution to allow the parliamentary coalition elect a president, avoiding further pre-term election in summer 2010.
In this situation, the visit of Romanian President aroused extreme emotions. Those of Moldovans who have obtained Romanian citizenship during the last 19 years (Moldova declared independence in 1991) waited in December 2009 in long lines before the Embassy of Romania to vote for Traian Basescu, who as almost the only one among Romanian politicians gives Moldavian citizens encouragement and hope for a better tomorrow. At a very beginning of the Basescu's visit he assured that "Romania is a country that fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova, but no one can convince us that the blood in our veins is another than that which flows in the veins of the Moldavian citizens". Mihai Ghimpu, one of the leaders who is the most favorable for unification of Moldova and Romania echoed him: "I think we have a historic opportunity to change the marketing issues in Moldova, and I urge you to seize this opportunity. Everything depends on us".
Basescu arrived to Chisinau, together with the ministers of economy, internal affairs and administration, justice, foreign affairs, transport and regional development and tourism. The new Romanian Ambassador to Moldova was already in place and accompanied the President during the visit. Since April 2009 Romania's diplomatic mission in Chisinau has been decimated because Romanian Ambassador and the Head of the consular section were banished as a result of issuing thousands of visas and considering thousands of applications for granting the Romanian citizenship.
Basescu had brought with him a plan of assistance to Moldova, in addition to the U.S. aid newly acquired by Vlad Filat (262 millions euro as a non-repayable loan). 100 million of non-refundable credit for infrastructure projects, education and local authorities was promised by Basescu. He convinced also his Moldavian colleagues in the need to integrate the Moldovan and Romanian infrastructure through junction of pipelines, power lines and railways. There are still wider tracks in Moldova inherited from the Soviet era. This impediments passenger transport, and in particular transportation of goods to the West. Changing of the infrastructure will reduce dependence of Moldova on trade with Russia and would stimulate economic relations with Romania and the European Union.
Another Romanian offer to Moldova is 110kV power line Falciu-Gotesti, which will be ready by the end of 2010 and which has already been built on the side of Romania. Bucharest declared its wiliness to bear the costs of junction of the two energy systems. Romania attempted to get 30 millions euro from EU funds, required for the construction of electricity power lines 400 kV Suceava-balti. A major infrastructure project is also to connect the gas transportation system Dochia-Ungheni-Iasi, so that Moldova depends no longer only on Russian gas. In the opinion of prof. Daniel Daianu, one of the leading Romanian economic experts, "with the purpose of better integration of Moldova with the European Union, Romania must support development of infrastructure in Moldova - roads and railways. This could be achieved through the EU's Neighborhood Policy or by providing loans and technologies to Moldova".
Another important, though sensitive topic to the part of Moldavian politicians and citizens, is the issue of Romanian citizenship for Moldovans. During his visit Basescu opened a new Romanian consulate in Cahulu and announced opening of the Romanian Citizenship Agency, based in Bucharest with five branches in major Romanian cities. Just in 2009, Romania has issued about 20 000 passports for the citizens of Moldova, which are the passports eligible in all EU countries. It is estimated that Romania has already issued 120 000 passports for Moldavian citizens and further 500 000 applications are pending in Romanian Consulate in Chisinau.
There remains the question of the Romanian-Moldovan border and its recognition. Moldova insists on signing the Romanian-Moldovan treaty. However, President Basescu refused consistently to sign a treaty that would define new borders. Bucharest (that lost Bessarabia in 1940 for the Soviet Union) has recognized de facto the border of Moldova inherited from the USSR, however "President of Romania, signing such a treaty would become a partner for Ribbentrop and Molotov"- said Basescu.
Russian "Niezawisimaia Gazeta" wrote that the main goal of Basescu's visit to Moldova was to share the 130 millions euro that the European Union provided for joint projects of Romania, Ukraine and Moldova. In July 2009 the Moldavian parliamentary coalition abolished all anti-Romanian decisions of President Voronin (e.g., visas for Romanian citizens, refusal to benefit from EU funds in projects with Romania) and included a clear course towards integration with the EU and the strong convergence with Romania. The newspaper notes also, that before the Basescu's visit appeal for the unification of the Romanian people has appeared in the Moldovan media, signed by 35 NGOs.
Russian journalists paid attention also to the remark of Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Theodore Baconski, who has called Moldova as "Bessarabia" and stressed that Bucharest does not agree to define the inhabitants of this region differently than "the same people speaking the same Romanian language". Russian political scientist living in Moldova, Vitaly Andrievski, believes that "the impact of Romania in Moldova is increasing. During last half of the year two powerful Romanian press holdings were created in Moldova, which will soon dominate the local information market. Romanian expansion is also supported by some Moldovan politicians who demonstrate openly their views for unification with Romania (eg,. Ghimpu Mihai, the acting president)". In the opinion of Andrieveski, Moldova is for Romania "a kind of fertile ground for the development of relations with Russia." The largest shareholder in the biggest gas depository in Romania will probably be Gazprom, that recently resumed talks on the issue. If the agreement is to be signed, it would open also new routes for Russian gas to Romania via Moldova.