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“IT IS HIGH TIME FOR POLITICIANS TO THINK, HOW TO HEAL WOUNDS FOR MOLDOVA’S LONG-TERM BENEFIT”
*(Exclusive interview of Special Representative of the European Union for Moldova Kalman Miszei for the Infotag news agency)
“I”: How would you characterize 2009 in Moldova?
K.M.: This has been a shocking, dramatic year for the country. Competitive elections are a celebration of democracy but it takes time in new democracies – such as also in my country – to learn to respect the opponents, to learn that the current election is not the end of the political process, to learn that the looser is not looser forever and that the parliamentary opposition has co-responsibility in governing the country. All these things take time to sink in. It is particularly true for countries that are not only young democracies but also young countries. And Moldova has an additional challenge which is its unsettled Transnistrian region that makes the country even more vulnerable to external influences. So, all in all, the drama that has unfolded is regrettable but understandable.
On the other hand the Moldovan people and also to an extent its political class – on all sides of the political conflict – deserve congratulating. You have had the guts to uphold the democratic principles in spite of the very harsh accusatory rhetoric that characterized the electoral competition on both sides of the political spectrum, particularly the second time around. But now it is high time to start thinking seriously about how to heal wounds.
“I”: What is the way forward and what does the European Union expect from the political class of the country in the current post-electoral situation?
K.M.: After many months, almost a year, of election politics the country needs to address urgent challenges. First is of course the economy. Moldova needs a stable, consensual government. There is a risk of succumbing into permanent political crisis and we should all feel responsible to avoid that. Just like after 7 April we advocate, stronger than ever, political negotiations. There can be different formulas but one needs to be found soon. Given the rules that guide electing the president of the Republic, political negotiation is a must. The political class has the responsibility but also the golden opportunity to turn this constitutional requirement into a virtue and start broad negotiations. This will be complicated and its quality needs to be high so that it can withhold the test of time. However, it also has to be fast because the economy can not wait – as simple as this. The more transparency in the process and outcome the better – so that the public for whom these negotiations should be done can judge the content and fulfilment of agreements.
Our other request to the Moldovan politicians is about competence. Competence, competence, competence. In a multiparty negotiation it is not easy to uphold this principle. But first, the state of the economy requires in key posts, prime minister, minister of finance, economy people who can address the short term issues of macroeconomic balances as well as longer term structural issues. This is crucial. Second, areas where the European Union has been critical in the past and that have proved to be vital during the conflict need thorough reform. The report of the Council of Europe High Commissioner highlights some of the areas, such as police reform, independence of the judiciary and the like.
“I”: There was a major controversy about April 7, and the aftermath. What should, in our view, the Moldovan politicians do about this trauma now?
It is natural that on both sides of the conflict people feel injustice. That is always like that when there is a conflict. So far I am hearing much more of what the others can do to remedy the situation and very little: What I can do to contribute to normalization of public life. Gestures towards each other are in high demand – for the long term benefit of the country!
In practical terms we have been urging for setting up a commission – best to think about a parliamentary one – to draw lessons from the dispute about the cleanness of the election, from the events of 7 April as well as the human rights violations after 7 April. Under the aegis of the commission, a code of conduct for political language should also be adopted which all the political parties should adhere to. The current tone of political debate and political journalism is debilitating and harmful to the further development of Moldovan democracy. The new Parliament has to do this urgently, and it has to be inclusive of all the 5 parties that have entered Parliament.
“I”: How will the international community help?
K.M.: If and when Moldova will have a coalition government the IMF will work with it intensely to set up a financial support package. The government will need to commit to the necessary reforms that the country needs to undertake. The IMF financial package will also open the door for additional support by the World Bank and the European Commission.
Also, the European Union is eager to start negotiating a new framework agreement that will take Moldova’s relationship with the EU to an entirely new level. It will have very beneficial long term economic as well as social impact. This will be an intense, not quick, negotiation. So, the international community is able to give very strong support – but the conditions for that are a dynamic process of government building, upholding democratic standards and a coherent economic package.
“I”: How is the Moldovan political crisis affecting the Transnistrian settlement?
K.M.: The crisis has delayed the process but the basic ingredients of a successful settlement remain the same. First of all the continent, Europe, needs a profound success in order to strengthen our pan-European security. It is in the interest of the EU as well as Russia. Therefore Moldova, and its Transnistrian region, continue to have a good opportunity to contribute to a major pan-European success. What it requires is that the new government, whatever coalition, upgrades the importance of the Transnistrian settlement. The person in the government who deals with the issue should be a political heavyweight and enjoy sufficient trust of the members of the 5+2 settlement team. Moldova has to continue, and even deepen, the confidence building efforts with Transnistria, both the population and the elites in Tiraspol. The European Union will support this process – our support package with the Moldovan government towards Transnistria is steadily increasing. We expect the Moldovan government to have an unrelenting commitment to the country’s territorial integrity.
