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Summer School in Moldova 24 July 2009

As an imitative of CLSN partners - Moldova and Georgia the GFSIS has chosen the "About Foreign Policy at the Bank of Dniester" summer school seminar participant Ms. Magda Nebieridze. The seminar was organized by the Foreign Policy Association of Moldova and took place in Moldova on 13 - 18 July 2009. Ms. Magda Nebieridze participated in the seminar and shares her opinion on the event.

About Foreign Policy at the Bank of Dniester
By Magda Nebieridze
MA in European Studies

The six day seminar "About Foreign Policy at the Bank of Dniester", which took place on July 13-18, 2009 near Chisinau in Moldova, aimed to establish closer relations among the young intellectuals from the post soviet countries and conflict regions. There was a wide range of participants from Moldova, Transdnistria, Georgia, Abkhazia and Lithuania, who tried to share their experience and knowledge during discussions and presentations. The seminars have been conducted by local and foreign professors and experts. The whole project has been funded and organized by the British Council of Moldova and by the "Foreign Policy Association", an NGO in Moldova.

It would be expected that the friendly working atmosphere could sometimes be loaded by variety of viewpoints and argument either pro-Russian or pro-European. Russia is an influential and attractive player for conflict regions of Georgia and Moldova. To look through historical events, Abkhazia broke away from Georgia in 1991-92. Georgian government attempted to regain control over the region but was defeated in 1993 by Abkhaz forces, backed by Russian units.  The seceding of Transdnistria from Moldova is more or less similar occasion. In 1992 the Moldovan government in Chisinau sent in troops, but antagonism has been terminated after Russia deployed forces in Transdnistria to supervise the ending of fighting. Today both regions are regarded to be best smuggling spots with the freedom of conducting criminal activities.

During the seminars several factors caught my attention. The citizens of Transdnistria represent a merging population: Moldavians about 30%, a bit more Ukrainians and Russians are the majority. Their Russian orientation has been expressed by the young students wish to leave for Russia for studding purposes. But the wish didn't seem fully consolidated, because some of them would like to study in Moldova. Thus they have choice either to take Passport of Moldova or of Russia, as only Transdnstrian passport isn't enough to go abroad. One more problematic fact is that the people immigrate to Russia for labor purpose, but likewise many do so to Ukraine. With respect to conflict resolution or defining the status of Transdnistria the words of M. Sieg, Adviser of German Bundestag, among our constructive lectures are worth noting. His "rational" is that the position of separated region should be decided among the people of the whole Moldova, of right and left side; and the decision should serve the interests of both.

The local experts hope for concrete resolution opportunities through EU very soon. I consider that their hope doesn't lack substance for several circumstances. It is a fact that Moldova and Transdnistria are integrated on three levels: 1. Sport, they have common sport groups especially in football. 2. Church of Transdnistria is subordinated to Moldovan Church. 3. Business, many transdnistrian enterprises are registered in Moldova in order to export goods to Europe. Mr. Seig announced that EU will always see Transdnistria as a part of Moldova, but it at the same time will protect the role and right of conflict region. All these represent positive steps in the integration process.

The relations are clearly cut between Georgia and Abkhazia. The issue wasn’t deeply touched either by presentators or participants, but the only negative fact, what I discovered was that Abkhaz people represent almost ethnic minorities in the independent country of Abkhazia and neither of them being definitely influenced by Russian ideology would like to leave in peace with Georgia. Now one may wonder how could Moldova manage to find slow confidence building rout and Georgia didn't?!

Most of the local experts during the meetings applied their criticism to the European Union as an incapable and ineffective bureaucratic organ. But many challenged the pro-Russian government built by the President, leader of communist party V.Voronin. The paradox of Communist Party guiding Moldova's European aspirations has been explained as follows: Voronin knows how to fool down European partners. I consider that now, especially after the huge demonstrations against the above mentioned party, EU faces real condition to be proactive in order to protect the rights of the civil society in electoral process. The reputation of Democratic Party with Marian Lupu is being "cured out", because people can remember the period when democrats have been steeling everything. The words of Sergei Shirokov, director of Bureau of Political Research "Mediator", were very important in terms of seeking roots for the Moldovan Governments inactivity with regard to reform at political and economic level. He explained that Moldova who lived in Russian empire for 100 years and in the Soviet Union for 50 years is accustomed to relying on others making decisions on his own problems.

The discussions referred not only to conflicts but almost all vital issues of international relations: NATO and Use of Force, EU's soft power capacity, Russia and energy consideration, the prospects of Neighborhood Policy and Eastern partnership, which gave the seminars interesting and wide spectrum, so that the students had more chance in terms of realizing their knowledge and experience.

Additional sources:

1) "Provincial Communist functionary joins Democratic Party", on:  http://www.azi.md/en/story/4631

2) "The Republic of Moldova - polygon for testing "dirty" electoral techniques", http://www.azi.md/en/investigation/4573

3) "Moldova crisis in an opportunity for the European Union", http://www.azi.md/en/comment/3636

4) "Marian Lupu to head Democratic Party list of candidates",  http://www.azi.md/en/story/3693