Parliamentary
CourierNo. 1, May 2006 Newsletter of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova
pag. 4 Marian Lupu: Political consensus should be maintained in the best interest of the country
pag. 8 Strengthening of local autonomy has started
pag.17 Life of Parliamentary factions
pag. 24 Calendar programme – a condition for EU integration
content Welcoming speach 3
Marian Lupu: Political consensus should be maintained in the best interest of the country 4
Moldovan Parliament’s statement in response to Russian State Duma statement from 19 April 2006 6
Declaration of the Moldovan Parliament on the artificial escalation of tension on the Transnistrian portion of the Moldovan-Ukrainian border, adopted by MPs on 9 March 2006 7
Strengthening of local autonomy has started 8
Political consensus is key to success 9
Parliamentary dimension of European integration process 10
Legal framework 11
The Moldovan Parlament of the 16th convocation 14
Transnistrian business gets legal 16
Life of Parliamentary factions 17
A long lasting monitoring 20
Parliament and civil society cooperate! 22
Calendar programme – a condition for EU integration 24
Interpellations by deputies 25
Parliament is answering... 26
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.
The articles in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official views of the United Nations Development Programme or Parlia- ment of the Republic of Moldova. Articles may be freely reproduced. “Parliamentary Courier” is a quarterly newsletter published with the support of the UNDP Moldova project “Strengthening the Institutional Capacity of the Parliament”. no. 1 May 2006 Welcoming speach
In the past 10 years, the United Na- entitled “Strengthening the Institutional tions Development Programme (UNDP) Capacity of the Parliament of Moldova”. has helped more than 50 countries build A modern and strong Parliament is stronger Parliaments. This assistance has an objective of the Republic of Moldo- included support to elections, constitu- va’s long-term and medium-term de- tional reform, building legislative-con- velopment frameworks: the Millenium stituency relations, participatory law Declaration, which Moldova co-signed drafting, strengthening legislatures’ in- with 190 other countries in 2000, on the ternal organization and training legisla- one hand; and the Economic Growth tors and staff. and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper Parliaments play a fundamental role and the EU-Moldova Action Plan on the in establishing the rule of law, in super- other. As elected representatives, Mem- Bruno Pouezat, vising government activities, in fostering bers of Parliament are key advocates for UN Resident Coordi- participatory and accountable govern- the changes required to meet these goals; nator, UNDP Resi- ance and in ensuring national compli- they are also accountable to the citizens dent Representative ance with international obligations. Yet, of Moldova for making good on these public opinion polls over the world often promises. report a lack of trust in national legisla- Transparency, participation and ac- tures; simply put, many people feel that countability are part of what the people their country is not governed by the will of Moldova expect from their Parliament. of the people. To help it become a more We hope that this newsletter will open the effective and trustworthy institution, in way for a better dialogue between Moldo- 2005, Moldova’s Parliament requested va’s Parliament and citizens. Congratula- UNDP’s support through a joint project tions on this first issue of this newsletter!
The publishing of such a magazine is a analysis, then it is very unlikely that it will new idea in Moldova and everything that be understood by all people. is new is interesting. Such a magazine is At the same time, I admit that it is very necessary because there is shortage of in- difficult to have a clear conception of the formation when it comes to the activities magazine at the first stage. But one thing is of the Moldovan Parliament. obvious: the complicated aspects of legisla- However, the magazine should take tion should be presented in a simple form, into consideration who will be its readers. so that ordinary people can understand For instance, if the magazine publishes a them. If the Parliamentary Courier meets scientific article with a detailed political this task, then I wish it good luck! Arcadie Barbarosie, executive director of the Institute for Public Policy
I welcome the launch of a new media which are important for society, should outlet. I would like to read in this magazine be examined. It is important that such an different points of view, as well as articles outlet posts various statistics, for instance, which would help me understand what is how many draft laws were adopted during happening in Parliament and why. It would a certain period and how many are to be be useful to present the opinions of various adopted. Parliamentary factions and parties which It would be also useful to monitor how have representatives in Parliament. many MPs attend the working sessions of At present, there are very few analytical Parliament. At the end of the day, society articles of such kind in the Moldovan me- must know how it can influence the activi- dia. It is necessary to explain why a certain ties of Parliament. And here, relations be- Yevgeniy Golosceapov, problem or idea needs to be discussed at tween Parliament and non-governmental executive director of the highest level. The key problems, those organizations are very important. Amnesty International Moldova Parliamentary Courier no. 1 May 2006 Interview POLITICAL CONSENSUS SHOULD BE MAINTAINED IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COUNTRY
Interview given to Parliamentary Courier by Mr Marian Lupu, the chairman of the Moldovan Parliament
How would you characterize Parliament’s activities in the first year? The Parliament of the 16th convocation has recently marked its first year of activities and I think that a significant part of this period can be described as “a time of establishing political consensus”. This means that we managed to reach a normal level of activity quite quickly and it is obvious that the key role was played by the political consensus reached by the Parliamentary factions on major priorities such as European integration and settlement of the Transnistrian conflict. Thus, maintaining a political consensus is indisputable for the current Parliament. If we refer to Parliament’s activities, they are quite intense, although I admit that sometimes the agenda of the plenary sessions was not very busy. But this should not be viewed as lack of desire to work or that deputies are not ready to examine some draft laws, because quantity is not always the best criteria for evaluation. The problem is rather related to state structures which, together with MPs, have the right to put forward legisla- tive initiatives. Thus, a characteristic feature of this Parliament is that state structures have been involved in the design of laws, a fact that ensures interaction between legislative and executive authori- ties. In my opinion, precisely this cooperation is the key ele- ment of state’s modernization in the context of Moldova’s bid for European integration. Mr Lupu, what are the most important laws which Parlia- ment could adopt before its summer vacation? There are many important draft laws and most of them fo- cus on Moldova’s commitments to the Council of Europe. These commitments are important because, once implemented, the Council of Europe may decide to suspend its monitoring of islative programme which is one of the fundamental ele- Moldova. For us, this would be a very important step in getting ments in the process of adjusting Moldovan law to Euro- recognition for Moldova’s democratic reforms. I am speaking pean standards. about reforming and improving the legal system, adopting a We have already nearly reached the need to “make for- new law on radio and TV broadcasting, bringing political party mal” this complicated process. legislation into line with European standards and continued re- This is not only the result of our commitments, such organisation of the Information and Security Service. as the Moldova-EU Action Plan, but also the result of our After they are examined in the first reading, these draft laws need to self-organize and self-control. Bringing legislation will be sent to the Council of Europe for expert assessment and, into line with European standards is precisely the founda- after CE recommendations, will be adopted in the final reading tion on which the European integration process is based. in July 2006 at the latest. This means adjusting to European legislative, economic In addition, Parliament will follow the 2005-2009 leg- and social models, which have already proved their cor-
Parliamentary Courier no. 1 May 2006 Interview rectness and viability, to our realities and possibilities. Thus, based on our quite modest resources, the legislative programme allows establishing the key priorities in the process of improving Moldovan legislation, simultaneously with adjusting it to European stand- ards. Parliament has elaborated many new and transparent methods of ac- tivities. Why? When speaking about reasons, it should be said that transparency is characteristic to any European Parlia- ment and I think that Moldova should not be an exception. As regards, methods of working, I would like to mention that the ple- nary sessions of Parliament started to be broadcast live by the Moldova One public television shortly after the new Parliament was elected. By the way, Moldova is one of the few states which In the near future we plan to reno- its gist, in the fact that this coopera- does so. Of course, we would not like vate the hall where the plenary ses- tion helps the authorities to better un- that this practice confines only to an sions take place, as it has not been derstand citizens and their problems. instrument used to achieve politi- repaired for over 10 years. We also Meanwhile, the public has a real op- cal purposes. However, this does not plan to build our own video network, portunity to take part in the decision- mean that someone could review the to open a present-day press centre making process and in some cases to decision to broadcast live the plenary and even follow the example of the even contribute to the process of leg- sessions of the Moldovan Parliament. Ukrainian Supreme Rada and launch islative creation. At present, about 200 local and for- a TV channel of Parliament. How- I would like to mention that the eign journalists are given accreditation ever, these are long-term projects and need for cooperation between state to Parliament and they have access not we will implement them taking into structures and civil society is vital only to the plenary sessions, but also consideration the financial possibili- especially in the former Soviet states, to meetings of all the standing Parlia- ties of the country. Parliament cannot where the creation of effective demo- mentary commissions which examine afford to spend dozens of millions of cratic institutions and civil society the draft laws before submitting them dollars to the detriment of many so- institutions is, in fact, at the very be- for public debates. I would also like to cial problems. We also plan to attract ginning and often the importance of stress that starting from March 2006 assistance from donors. these institutions is not fully under- all records of the plenary sessions and How did you reach the conclusion stood. all draft laws are posted on the par- that it is necessary to draft a blueprint Unfortunately, the forms of coope- liamentary web site and everyone can on cooperation between Parliament ration which existed and continue have access to them. and civil society? to exist between the authorities and These are the key transparency ele- The idea of drafting such a blue- civil society are not always effective ments of the current Moldovan Parlia- print, which should provide for ef- because they are not adjusted to the ment on which I tried to comment in fective mechanisms taking into con- realities of a specific society, although brief. sideration the democratic norms and such things look very nice on paper. It is a well-known fact that large the experience of European states and It should be also said that the suc- amounts of money are necessary in the Council of Europe as well as the cess of cooperation depends not only order to ensure Parliament’s transpar- Moldovan reality, appeared immedi- on Parliament but also, undoubtedly, ency and its effective activities. What is ately after I was elected speaker. on representatives of the Moldovan the state of things in Parliament when I have always been aware of the civil society with whom we hope to it comes to finances? need for cooperation between the establish productive relations. Here, I The financial issue is quite difficult legislative, executive and judicial au- think, the most difficult it will be to for the time being and it has been raised thorities, on the one hand, and the overcome mutual mistrust and “pre- repeatedly by deputies. For instance, public, on the other hand. This is a sumption of guilt” of state bodies that many MPs do not have computers in sign of any democratic state, let alone can be still easily observed at some their offices or have very old ones. But European democracies. non-governmental organizations. But the problem is now being resolved. The problem is not only in the for- I am confident that we will be capable mal sign of democracy as such but in of meeting this task.
Parliamentary Courier no. 1 May 2006 Interview
How efficiently do NGOs use their How do you see the role of our hardly imagined until recently. Also right to give an expert assessment to magazine: As Parliament’s rostrum my colleagues who represent various draft laws? or as an open field for discussions be- political parties have a unanimous So far, there have been organized tween Parliament, civil society and opinion about the fulfilment of the many round tables and seminars and voters? commitments assumed and they ob- NGOs have shown a great interest in First of all, the Parliamentary Cou- serve the principle “keep your word”. them. The majority of NGOs are in- rier should become the face of Par- These commitments refer not only terested in establishing normal rela- liament and should cover the major to our mutual relations with interna- tions with Parliament and they are processes taking place in Parliament. tional structures, but first of all with ready to share their experience. The Of course, it should also become, to a the Moldovan people and with our most important thing is that both certain level, a rostrum of Parliament voters. I think that only this way the Parliament and civil society have both at the domestic and foreign levels, process of European integration, that stepped forward – we announced our as well as a place for discussions. our country needs so much, can be goals and they were fully understood In your opinion, how should the “propelled”. Finally, apart from trans- and supported. current Parliament remain in his- parency that we have already touched In addition, in accordance with the tory? upon, I would like to mention the ef- blueprint, new draft laws are almost The current Parliament should ficient activities of the current Parlia- daily posted on the Parliamentary remain in history, first of all, be- ment when it comes to establishing an web site. They are open for debates cause on 4 April 2005 it proved that inter-parliamentary dialogue through and I know that some NGOs have al- national interests, such as European developing and using parliamentary ready submitted their proposals and integration and the settlement of the democracy. I think that in the near fu- objections. Transnistrian conflict, prevail over ture the results of the foreign parlia- Deputies are carefully analysing party and personal ambitions. In fact, mentary activities will become obvi- these proposals and if they find them the events which took place in those ous. I am absolutely convinced that it good then they are included in amend- days were a test of political maturity is necessary to maintain a functional ments and voted on. I should also say for most deputies. mechanism of the political consensus that Parliament does not always man- It should be also said that those in the interests of our country on the age to inform NGOs if their propos- draft laws or statements which express path of strengthening its statehood. I als were taken into consideration or national interests are adopted either think that precisely in this quality the not, but I think that we will solve this unanimously or with a majority of current Parliament should remain in problem in the near future. votes, a thing which could have been history.
Parliamentary rostrum MOLDOVAN Parliament’S STATEMENT in response to Russian State Duma statement from 19 April 2006 he Moldovan Parliament expresses concern at the Rus- all over the world. Therefore, it is necessary to put an end to sian State Duma statement supporting the ban imposed the attempts of some political forces from the Russian Fed- Ton Moldovan wines and cognacs by the Russian Federal eration to give a political connotation, which worsens the Service for Consumer Rights Protection on 27 March 2006. traditional Moldovan-Russian cooperation, to the situation So far, the Russian authorities have provided no evidence created after Russia banned imports of Moldovan alcoholic whatsoever that Moldovan alcoholic beverages do not meet beverages. This position was confirmed by both sides dur- sanitary requirements. ing a recent visit to Moscow of a Moldovan Parliamentary The repeated calls of the Moldovan authorities to check delegation which met colleagues from the Russian State the quality of Moldovan wines have been ignored by Russia. Duma. The unjustified interdictions, which run counter to interna- We call on the Moldovan government to look for effi- tional trade norms, have been extended to all Moldovan al- cient ways of breaking the deadlock for the benefit of the coholic beverages, a fact which causes losses to citizens and Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation. companies from both states. While Russian authorities are trying to dispute the quali- Approved at the plenary session of the Moldovan ty of Moldovan wine, the latter continues to be appreciated Parliament on 21 April 2006
Parliamentary Courier no. 1 May 2006 Parliamentary rostrum Declaration of the Moldovan Parliament on the artificial escalation of tension on the Transnistrian portion of the Moldovan-Ukrainian border, adopted by MPs on 9 March 2006
Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, the European Union and the USA to legitimize the economic activities in Moldo- va’s eastern region and to eliminate criminal structures. We describe the latest statements by the separatist leaders as a conscious misinterpretation of the construc- tive initiatives put forward by the participants in the negotiating process. Tiraspol is cynically and ground- lessly rejecting all Chisinau’s constructive efforts aimed at a consistent and peaceful settlement of the Transnis- trian conflict, such as the adoption by the Moldovan Parliament of the law on the special legal status for the Transnistrian region, the social guarantees for residents of the Transnistrian region and the privileged regime of registration of Transnistrian companies in Moldova etc. The separatist regime ignores the fact that a signifi- cant number of local companies have already used these privileges and can work legally, including in foreign trade, and have access to the CIS and the EU markets. By blocking this solution, the only one possible, the he Moldovan Parliament expresses its deep con- Tiraspol regime is deliberately resorting to an economic cern in connection with the dangerous develop- self-isolation of the region. It hinders the normal activities „T ment of the situation in Moldova’s Transnistrian of its economic agents and makes the whole population of region. The illegal regime in Tiraspol has been deliber- the region, which is threatened by a real humanitarian ately blocking any constructive actions by Moldova and catastrophe, hostages to an adventurist policy. Tiraspol’s by other participants in the negotiating process for a long latest statements about quitting the process of negotia- period. These actions are aimed at peacefully and finally tions are also part of the same dangerous policy. solving the Transnistrian conflict. Unanimously condemning these destructive actions, The destructive position of the separatist leaders has the Moldovan Parliament expresses its regret that these been clearly seen over the last few days when Moldova and actions do not receive a proper assessment on the part of Ukraine have taken joint actions aimed at legitimizing Russia which is an authoritative partner in the negotiating economic activities in Moldova’s eastern districts and process. Some Russian political forces and politicians are have started to jointly regulate the customs regime in or- obsessed with a fixed idea about tearing the Transnistrian der to ensure effective control of persons and goods on region away from Moldova, turning Moldova’s eastern re- the Transnistrian section of the Moldovan-Ukrainian gion into a ghetto and its population into a human shield border. for criminal actions of several persons. The measures taken by Moldova and Ukraine in ac- We hope that the Russian delegation which has recent- cordance with a joint statement of Moldovan Prime Min- ly visited the Transnistrian region, without informing the ister Vasile Tarlev and Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuriy Moldovan authorities in advance, will show objectivity Yekhanurov from 30 December 2005, measures which and goodwill and will help Moldova to solve its most dif- are absolutely normal in the practice of normal state re- ficult problem. lations, have been groundlessly interpreted by the ille- The Moldovan Parliament underlines that the whole gal administration in Tiraspol as “economic blockade of responsibility for the recent dangerous developments in Transnistria”. the region lies with the Transnistrian separatist regime In this way, the region has started a process of self-iso- and their protectors abroad. The Moldovan Parliament is lation and a campaign of hysteria against local businesses persuaded that there is no alternative to a peaceful set- and people. tlement of the Transnistrian conflict and we rely on the Representing various categories of the population and understanding and support of the international commu- various political forces, we deputies unanimously con- nity which is sincerely interested in providing peace and demn the subversive actions of the Tiraspol authorities stability in this region of Europe. which are aimed at disrupting constructive efforts of the Chisinau, 9 March 2006
Parliamentary Courier no. 1 May 2006 Legislative initiative STRENGTHENING OF LOCAL AUTONOMY HAS STARTED
The drafting of legislation on of legislative actions in strengthening local autonomy is November 2005. This one of 18 legislative provisions of programme focuses on the Calendar Programme of legisla- problems within Moldo- tive actions in accordance with the va which are responsible Resolution and Recommendations for the country still be- of the Commission for Respecting ing subject to CE moni- Obligations and Commitments by toring. Member States of the Council of A number of com- Europe. mitments stipulated in In April 2005, deputies passed the programme refer to a decision on setting up a special improving the Moldovan commission in charge of drafting legislation on autonomy bills on strengthening local auton- of local authorities. omy. This issue was dis- Moldova joined the Council of cussed again by the Europe in 1995 and was immedi- Congress of Local and ately included in the list of coun- Regional Authorities of the tries subject to monitoring. In 1997, Council of Europe, which made Moldova signed and ratified the Eu- recommendations on the issue ropean Charter on Local Autonomy on 8 November 2005. Lora. Members of the commission which entered into effect on 1 Feb- Because problems remain, a spe- are MPs Veaceslav Untila, Oleg Ser- ruary 1998. cial Parliamentary commission was ebrian, Vlad Cubreacov, Ivan Calin, Because the development of local convened to examine legislation Nicolae Bondarciuc, Vasile Iovv, and regional democracy is subject to on three issues. First, administra- Vasile Balan, Anton Miron and Council of Europe monitoring, the tive control of documents of local Alim Afonii. Congress of Local and Regional Au- authorities. Second, delegation of * Vladimir Turcan, head of thorities of the Council of Europe powers to local authorities at differ- the Parliamentary commission for continues to write reports and make ent levels. Third, local finance and legal issues, appointments and im- recommendations on the situation inter-budget relations. munity: The goal of this commission of local democracy in Moldova. To support the activities of this is to ensure the fulfilment of a very The Commission for Respect- commission, three studies have important and complex task and to ing Obligations and Commitments been made by experts selected by significantly contribute to a posi- by Member States of the Council of the Council of Europe. In addition, tive assessment of Moldova’s efforts Europe, known also as the monitor- there are specialists representing by the monitoring commission. This ing commission, pays specific at- the local administrative level, as fact maximises the possibility that tention to this problem. well as NGOs ready to give advice. the Council of Europe will reach Thus, as a result of its regular This should all help ensure im- the conclusion that the monitoring documentation visits to Moldova, plementing the transparency prin- stage should be ended and Moldova during which local democracy was ciple stipulated in the document should pass to the stage of post-mon- examined, the commission passed on cooperation between Parliament itoring cooperation with the Coun- several resolutions and recommen- and civil society adopted by MPs on cil of Europe. This will also ensure dations. These were adopted by 29 December 2005. the implementation of a series of the Parliamentary Assembly of the The commission includes repre- tasks stipulated in the Moldova-EU Council of Europe on 4 October sentatives of all the Parliamentary Action Plan, chapter 2.1 “Political 2005 in Strasbourg. factions and is led by Speaker Mar- dialogue and reforms”. On the basis of these recommen- ian Lupu. Deputy chairman of the The commission will end its ac- dations, the Moldovan Parliament commission is Deputy Vadim Mi- tivities once all the necessary draft adopted the calendar programme sin and secretary is Deputy Grosu laws are elaborated.
Parliamentary Courier no. 1 May 2006 European integration POLITICAL CONSENSUS IS KEY TO SUCCESS
Experts of the Association for Participatory Democracy (ADEPT) and the Expert-Group analysis centre, the two NGOs selected by the European Union to monitor the implementation of the Moldova-EU Action Plan, recently presented in Chisinau the first report on this issue entitled „Eu- romonitor”. ADEPT director Igor Botan speaks about the conclusions of the re- port in an interview with Parliamentary Courier.
What are the most important conclu- rect way to implementing the Action Plan. institutions and democratic practices. sions of this report? One of the major goals of the Action Plan However, you said that in some cases The most import conclusion is that is to provide stability of democratic institu- the haste affected quality.... Moldova has achieved some progress in tions. We can say that there is stability of It is well known that the more haste, implementing the Moldova-EU Action democratic institutions thanks to the fact the less speed. It is important that nothing Plan in 2005 However, there has also been that “eternal” misunderstandings between which could have a negative or irreversible stagnation and, unfortunately, even regress. the main political movements have been impact happened. Even if they have many However, Moldova is moving in the right cleared up and now we have a much-disput- deficiencies, laws and amendments drafted direction, although, as I have already said, ed partnership. It is absolutely normal that as a result of the political partnership are, for the speed is very slow. Our first report is the authorities and the opposition dispute the time being, those with a major impact. available on the web sites of ADEPT and programmes and approaches to problems The simplest example is that in amending Expert-Grup. Therefore, I would like only facing society, but the very existence of op- legislation, the costs of implementation of to mention that these conclusions have ponents as an organized political force and these amendments have not been estimat- been drawn based on estimation method- the country’s strategic development vector ed. ology and consulted with local experts. are not being disputed any more. At least, What laws should Parliament adopt You have said in the report that the this is what we see. The result is that the Re- urgently? progress achieved is mainly due to the po- public of Moldova enjoys the support of the In November 2005, Parliament adopted litical will. EU, the USA, the OSCE and the Council of a plan on how to bring Moldovan legisla- Yes, there is political will to implement Europe in areas of major importance. tion in line with recommendations of the the Action Plan. Because of pragmatic rea- In your opinion, what amendments Council of Europe, the Venice Commis- son, it is normal to be like this. Regardless to the legislation in effect and what laws sion and the OSCE in 2006. The list of laws of their colour, all the authorities under- adopted by Parliament have been really which are to be adopted and the deadlines stand that the “window of opportunity” necessary and beneficial? Why? are explicit. in relations with the EU could open wider The package of laws amending the elec- What steps should deputies make in if Moldova’s sociopolitical, humanitarian toral legislation, self-administration of the order to achieve a more noticeable progress and legal systems were compatible with legal system and activities of the Informa- in implementing the Moldova-EU Action EU institutions. At the same time, showing tion and Security Service, adopted on 22 Plan? political will is a variable rather than con- July 2005, as well as the amendment of the Now one does not lay the press any stant factor which depends on the interests law on the Audit Chamber prove that mutu- more on the need to emphasize priori- of major groups of influence. If reforms do al suspicion between the authorities and the ties. The Parliamentary factions, depu- not touch the interests of some groups of in- opposition can be removed. The authorities ties and the whole Parliament know what fluence, then they are promoted, but if they have given ear to the requests of the opposi- they should do. The Action Plan is a kind touch major interests, then those interests tion. Of course, the effect is mainly political, of “common denominator” of all strate- can act to lower the political will, and the but in the Moldovan political reality this was gies and concepts. This plan stipulates the result can be the support of private interests the most important. We have already seen areas of maximum sensitivity and suggests to the detriment of public interests. that democracy involves high costs. There- what should be done. The problem is in How has the political partnership fore, we start to understand that democracy the ability to draft or quickly adjust these achieved by the Parliamentary parties con- allows eliminating social tension. The exist- documents to the Moldovan reality. Thus, tributed to the implementation of the plan? ence of mechanisms to ease tension in dif- specific steps should be taken to strengthen The political partnership contributed ferent situations brings more benefits than the ability to quickly and qualitatively draft and continues to contribute in the most di- the costs of maintaining functionality of these documents.
Parliamentary Courier no. 1 May 2006 European integration
How do you access the progress in bring- Moldovan legislation in some areas is good. us a reference point while estimating the ing the national legislation in line with EU Parliament has adopted a legislative pro- progress achieved. It is clear that the pro- standards? gramme for 2005-2009, whose goal is to gramme will not be implemented on time There is progress in this area, although bring Moldovan legislation in line with the because of a banal reason – the lack of an it is quite slow. There is consensus that aqui communitaire. This document gives ability to meet deadlines.
Opinion of a deputy ParliamentARY DIMENSION OF European INTEGRATION PROCESS
The signing and the enforcement of the Moldova-EU Action Plan on 22 February 2005 offered Moldova the opportunity of raising its con- tractual relations with the EU to a new level.
Sergiu STATI, chairman of the Parliamentary committee for foreign policy and European integration
A year has passed since the signing of tus of Migrant Workers, the Convention on Thus, in 2005 the programme on inter- the Action Plan and over this period many Protection of Non-Material Cultural Patri- parliamentary cooperation with the Hun- successes in its implementation have been mony, the Council of Europe Convention on garian Parliament was drafted and similar achieved. The adoption of a number of im- Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, memorandums are to be signed with Latvia, portant laws aimed at ensuring impartiality the European Convention on International Sweden, Lithuania and Estonia. These doc- and independence of the justice system, the Value of Repressive Decisions, the Interna- uments provide for assistance from our for- enactment of the code on execution, the cre- tional Convention on the Suppression and eign colleagues through the organization of ation of a working group to amend the Elec- Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid, the studies, seminars and training on European toral Code in order to bring it into line with International Convention against the Re- integration. recommendations of an international moni- cruitment, Use, Financing and Training of An important step made by the toring mission, the joining of the Bologna Mercenaries, plus a series of conventions Moldovan Parliament in order to bring process and the creation of a Parliamentary within the International Labour Organiza- national legislation in line with European working group in charge of drafting bills in tion and the International Maritime Organi- standards was the adoption on 11 Novem- the priority areas of the Action Plan (broad- zation. ber 2005 of the Calendar Programme of casting, justice, mass media, local public Given the need to offer Parliament an legislative actions in accordance with the administration, public financial control, ac- active role in achieving its goal, the Parlia- resolution and recommendations of the tivities of the security bodies) – all these are mentary committee for foreign policy and Commission for Respecting Obligations examples of efforts made by the Moldovan European integration has initiated and con- and Commitments by Member States of the Parliament to carry out the Action Plan. tinues to hear reports from all institutions of Council of Europe. The ratification over the last year of a local public administration. The goal of these Fulfilling actions stipulated in the calen- number of international treaties is also an activities is to identify specific cooperation dar programme by the set deadline is the important element of the implementation between Parliament and the executive bod- key priority of the Parliament for the near of the Action Plan. Through ratification of ies to implement of the Moldova-EU Action future. The implementation of this pro- some international treaties, the Republic of Plan. gramme will allow Moldova to leave the Moldova committed itself to respecting the The successes achieved by the Moldovan monitoring stage behind and raise coop- provisions of these treaties. Sometimes, it is Parliament in implementing the Action Plan eration relations with the Council of Europe even obliged to amend domestic legislation are due to a large extent to the strengthen- and the European Union to new level. to bring it into line with these treaties. In ing of bilateral and multilateral contacts with At the end, I would like to say that Par- these conditions, the ratification of treaties Parliaments of European states and in partic- liament is doing its utmost in order to carry included in the Action Plan allows Moldova ular of states which recently joined the EU. out the Moldova-EU Action Plan and the re- to include European norms in its legislation, European MPs share with us their expe- sults achieved in this area have been praised thus bringing Moldova towards European rience in bringing the national legislation in by the European Commission. However, we values and standards. In this context, the rat- line with the European one, they provide con- should not forget that the Action Plan must ification of the following international docu- sultative assistance which allows us to avoid be implemented by the end of 2007 and, ments has been very important for Moldova: possible mistakes and to adjust Moldovan therefore, Parliament has a lot of work to do the European Convention on the Legal Sta- legislation to the best international practice. over the next 18 months.
10 Parliamentary Courier no. 1 May 2006 European integration Legal framework
The idea of including this column in the informative bulletin of the Moldovan Parliament is rather courageous and risky because its author could always be accused of subjectivism. Why? Because it is difficult to decide which of the laws adopted by Parliament are more important and which are less important. As a matter of fact, all legislative acts have one goal – to improve living standards and the situation in the country as a whole. However, some things regarding the legislative activities can be said and we will try to do it in this column.
Legislative programme 2005-2009 In late 2006, Parliament adopt- ed the legislative programme for 2005 – 2009. The document is based on the Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, the Moldova-EU Action Plan, the national programme Moldovan Village and the gov- ernment programme “Moderni- zation of country – well-being of people”. Such a programme has un- doubtedly been necessary, espe- cially given the fact that bringing Moldovan legislation into line period is stipulated in the PCA). European integration objectives. with EU standards remains a key Later on, simultaneously with The community vector is prerogative of the legal framework EU expansion, the EU’s New also stipulated in the strategic of Moldovan-EU relations. This is Neighbourhood Policy was pre- documents which determine the also one of the basic requirements sented. This document gives the framework of the government ac- for both the European integration possibility of amending the con- tivities – the Moldova-EU Action process, and for the EU accession tractual framework based on the Plan, the Economic Growth and process, which is known as one successes achieved by every neigh- Poverty Reduction Strategy and of the three Copenhagen criteria. bouring country, the Republic of the Moldovan Village programme Achieving the status of a candi- Moldova included, when it comes based on which the government date country is the strategic ob- to the implementation of the Ac- programme “Modernization of jective of Moldova’s domestic and tion Plan. The latter is a strate- country – wellbeing of people” foreign policy. gic document which develops and was drafted. At present, relations between specifies the key provisions of the Taking into consideration Moldova and the EU and Moldo- PCA. these realities, as well as Parlia- va’s pro-European aspirations The integrationist course de- ment’s key role in the legislative are based on the Partnership and termines the content of the coun- process, it is necessary to begin Cooperation Agreement (PCA) try’s strategic documents which bringing Moldovan legislation between the European Communi- stipulate the framework for po- into line with the aqui communi- ties and their Member States, on litical, economic and social de- taire, a notion which in the near the one hand, and the Republic velopment of the country for the future must be understood by all of Moldova, on the other. This next three to four years. This way, the participants in all the stages agreement entered into effect on the same integrationist course led of the legislative process. 1 July 1998. This strategic docu- to strengthening the political will It should be mentioned that ment, as a basic treaty, is the con- stipulated in the first document the countries wishing to become tractual framework of Moldovan adopted by the current Parlia- full-fledged EU members have relations for at least three years, ment – the declaration on politi- been implementing EU standards until 2008 (the 10-year valitidy cal partnership for implementing for many years. Every country has
Parliamentary Courier 11 no. 1 May 2006 Legal framework an individual action plan and all of them enjoy Eu- ister: The decision to extend the 1997-1998 priva- ropean Commission assistance. At present Moldova tization programme is a positive signal for inves- does not enjoy such great assistance, but knowledge tors both foreign and local. The adoption of this law that it has already gained will give it prospective contributes to promoting Moldova’s image abroad. visions for organizing the process of improving leg- The government will soon present a new privatiza- islation. At present, this is being done very slowly tion blueprint under which all enterprises which and without a programme approach. are not of strategic interest for the country will be Taking into consideration priorities, on the one privatized. The government will also present a new hand, and limited resources, on the other, this pro- method of organizing privatization contests. This gramme will allow Parliament to use its efforts to de- will give a fresh impetus to the privatization proc- velop a well-thought out and efficient programme. ess in Moldova. It is hard to imagine what would have happened if Parliament did not support this idea. Probably, all Situation of employees will privatization processes would have stopped and this would have had a negative impact on our dialogue improve with foreign creditors and donors. The draft law on salaries paid to budget-sector employees has been one of the most discussed in Parliament. The document has been also very much More attention to human expected by society. The first commentaries on the rights draft law appeared in the summer of 2005, while the Higher protection of human rights is now one document was enforced only in early 2006. of Parliament’s key priorities. The fact that the au- The great interest in this law is easily explained. thorities and the opposition have showed partner- For the first time ever, the law provided for a sig- ship in this issue is welcomed, although their views nificant increase in salaries for all categories of on how to solve human rights issues do not always budget-sector employees (for instance, salaries of coincide. teachers are to soar by about 40 per cent, those of Thus, over the last few months, several initiatives social workers by up to 60 per cent). The salaries on human rights protection have been examined. In are to go up gradually until 2010, when salaries of particular, it was proposed that citizens have the some categories of budget-sector employees are to right to appeal to the Constitutional Court before increase 2.5 times. addressing the European Court of Human Rights The well-marked social nature of the law has (ECHR) and there have been several parliamentary caused hot debates in Parliament during many ple- sessions which examined how prisoners’ rights are nary sessions and meetings of commissions. Almost observed in Moldova. A real triumph is the amend- every deputy was trying to obtain better conditions ment of legislation to call to account officers re- for various categories of budget-sector employees. sponsible, because of incompetence or abuse of Against this background, there have been many mu- power, for Moldova losing cases at the ECHR. tual accusations and criticism. But MPs can be un- At the same time, the Finance Ministry will have derstood because, at the end of the day, they were to pay compensation for the violation of the rights trying to contribute to improving the situation of of Moldovan citizens in accordance with the ECHR employees. decisions. During discussions in Parliament, depu- ties said that the Finance Ministry has repeatedly A good signal for investors refused to pay such compensations on the ground The privatization problem has always been very that these sums had not been included in the state sensitive and caused numerous “hot” discussions budget. As a result, citizens appeal again to the between the authorities and the opposition (regard- ECHR and ask for the enforcement of court deci- less of the parties which have been in power). It is sions. According to some deputies, Moldova lost 16 not a secret that over the last few years it has been cases at the ECHR just because the government had repeatedly said that “Moldova is not attractive for not paid compensation in time. investors” or that “investors do not receive clear All the Parliamentary factions, apart from the signals that Moldova is open for their activities”. Our Moldova Alliance (OMA), voted for the draft However, Parliament has recently dismissed these law as they believe that “this is a step forward in accusations (or at least made a serious attempt) by providing justice independence and a higher level adopting the law which extended the 1997-1998 pri- of protection of human rights”. However, OMA dep- vatization programme until 31 December 2006. uties believe the law creates conditions for reprisals * Igor Dodon, deputy economics and trade min- against some officials.
12 Parliamentary Courier no. 1 May 2006 Legal framework
zens and foreigners and to providing the latter liv- Legislative process will be ing conditions and social assistance in case of un- employment or sickness. All the expenses are to be more transparent covered by the country on whose territory these The issue of transparency of the legislative proc- citizens work. ess has been repeatedly raised in Parliament. The * Vlad Cubreacov, deputy chairman of the Par- current Parliament has made serious steps in this liamentary committee for foreign policy and Euro- direction. It is sufficient to recall only such facts as pean integration: Moldova will have to bear no ex- the live broadcasting of parliamentary sessions on penses to implement the convention because it used radio and TV, the publication of the plenary sittings its right to have reserves towards the implementa- records and draft laws included on the Parliament’s tion of articles requiring financial spending. In par- agenda on the parliamentary web site. ticular, these were the articles on labour payment Another example is the legislative initiative and social assistance for migrant workers. adopted recently by Parliament under which the However, only Moldovans who are working le- government will have to provide citizens’ free access gally abroad can enjoy the privileges of this conven- through Internet to all legislative and normative tion. acts which entered into effect after 23 July 1990. * Dumitru Diacov, one of the authors of the draft law: In order to obtain a law or a decision, Ethylic alcohol and alco- at present citizens must address various companies holic beverages smuggling which monitor the process of adopting normative will be curbed acts and then sell this information. This runs coun- The hearings organized recently by Parliament ter to the constitution which guarantees free access to see how the law on production and circulation to information. The government should be interest- of ethilic alcohol and alcoholic beverages is imple- ed that its citizens know legislation. mented have probably been the most effective over Parliament has decided that all official docu- the recent period. We say this because the measures ments be published on the web site of the govern- that MPs decided that the state bodies should take ment in the state and Russian languages. In addi- could return huge amounts of money to the state tion, the government will have to update these budget (some MPs say that the state loses between documents on a regular basis. 200 and 700 million lei (15-53 million dollars) per year as a result of irregularities on the ethylic alco- Better conditions for hol market). Moldovans working abroad The government will have to draft and implement Massive migration has probably been the most in 2006 the automatic information system “State serious consequence of the transition period. Prob- registry of circulation of ethylic alcohol and alco- ably it is not so important how many Moldovans holic beverages”. In addition, every company work- went abroad to find better-paid jobs – half a million ing in this area will have to keep its own records or a million – but the way they are being treated using a computerized system. in other countries given the fact that most of them In parallel, all district councils, the Chisinau and are working there illegally. Officials have repeat- Balti councils and the council of the Gagauz auton- edly spoken in favour of improving life and labour omous republic in southern Moldova will conduct conditions of Moldovans working abroad and some local hearings to see how this law is being imple- improvements have happened. The most important mented and will try to improve the situation. action undertaken is the ratification by Parliament The Prosecutor-General’s Office and the Centre of the European Convention on the Legal Status of for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption Migrant Workers. will have to investigate cases when losses were in- Thus, now Moldovan citizens who are legally flicted on the state and consumers by top officials working in such countries as Italy, France, Holland, who violated this law. The two institutions must re- Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Turkey will port to Parliament in October 2006 about measures enjoy the same working and social conditions as the taken to improve the situation. citizens of these countries. The convention covers Also in October 2006, the government is due to only the above eight countries because, so far, it present a report in Parliament on actions taken to has been ratified only by them. But it is hoped that improve the situation on the market of alcoholic more countries will ratify the act. beverages. Precisely then, one will be able to speak The member states of the convention commit more specifically about the concrete results of the themselves to paying the same salaries to their citi- Parliamentary hearings.
Parliamentary Courier 13 THE MOLDOVAN P ARL iAMENT OF THE 16th CONVOCATION
2005 2009 CDPP MCP MCP
ROSCA Iurie, LUPU Marian, POSTOICO Maria, vicespeaker speaker vicespeaker
MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP OSTAPCIUC AFONIN Anton BalmoS Bondarenco Bondarciuc BodiSteanu Borgan Borgula Bulgacov Calin CalmaTui Cavlac Chetraru Eugenia Alim Mircea Galina Elena Nicolae Vasile Serafima Ludmila Ghenadii Ivan Valeriu Ecaterina Iosif
MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP Cotorobai DaTco Dobrovol- Dragan Dragomir EREMCIUC Eriomin Garev Gherman Gozun Gudumac GuTu GuTul Iovv Alexandru Albert scaia Victoria Semion Vladimir Vladimir Iurie Valerii Stella Petru Eva Ivan Nicolai Vasile
MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP Jdanov Mandaji Mantorov Miron MiSin Mocan Morcov MusteaTA Oleinic Pasecinic Petrenco Popa Prijmireanu Sidorov Alexandru Afanasii Oleg Anton Vadim Mihail Ghenadie Gheorghe Nicolai Arcadie Grigore Gheorghe Dumitru Mihail MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP MCP OMA OMA Sococol Stati Stepaniuc Stoicov Stepa Todoroglo Turcan Ursul Vitiuc Vlah ZagorodnIi Zimin URECHEAN BALAN Sergiu Sergiu Victor Iurie Boris Dmitrii Vladimir Ala Vladimir Irina Anatolie Larisa Serafim Vasile
OMA OMA OMA OMA OMA OMA OMA OMA OMA OMA OMA OMA OMA OMA Bujor CIONTOLOI COLTA COSARCIUC GROZAV GUTU LIPCAN OLEINIC ONCEANU PAVLICENCO PINTEA PLESCA TARANU UNTILA Leonid Ivan Vasile Valeriu Vasile Ion Alexandru Alexandru Anatolie Vitalia Vasile Ion Anatol Veaceslav
CDPP CDPP CDPP CDPP CDPP CDPP CDPP DPM DPM DPM DPM DPM DPM DPM CUBREACOV CHIRIAC LEAHU SECAREANU SUSARENCO SERPUL VARTA DIACOV Agachi BULIGA FILAT GROSU GUMA IVANOV Vlad Adriana Angela Stefan Gheorghe Valentina Ion Dumitru Efim Valentina Vladimir Lora Valeriu Dumitru
Independent Independent Independent Independent Independent Independent Independent Independent Independent Independent Independent Independent DPM DPM deputy deputy deputy deputy deputy deputy deputy deputy deputy deputy deputy deputy RADUCAN TULEA banari Bolboceanu Braga BraghiS Ciobanu CUSNIR Deatovschi Golban JALBA Klipii NEAGU Serebrian Marcel Oleg Ivan Iurie Vladimir Dumitru Vladim Valentina Vladim Valentina Zoia Igor Ion Oleg
Studies Parliamentary Factions Born in: Moldovan Communist Party - 56 deputies. (CDPP) - 8 deputies. 1930 – 1940 – 2 Deputies with two specialties Leader - Eugenia Ostapciuc. Leader – Vlad Cubreacov. 1940 – 1950 – 26 - 30 persons Our Moldova Alliance (OMA) – 16 depu- Democratic Party of Moldova – 9 deputies. 1950-1960 – 45 Master in sciences – 3 persons ties. Leader - Serafim Urechean Leader – Dumitru Diacov. 1960 – 1970 – 21 Doctor in sciences - 18 persons Christian Democratic Popular Party Independent deputies – 12 1970 –1980 - 7 no. 1 May 2006 Commentary TRANSNISTRIAN BUSINESS GETS LEGAL he introduced on 3 March of new rules the (Transnistrian) businessmen pay their rebate, especially the VAT. As an option of transportation of Transnistrian tax dues to the local authorities. they proposed setting up business ac- Tgoods across the Moldovan-Ukrain- The law has exempted Transnistrians ian border have been regarded by official from taxation on imported raw materi- Dumitru BRAGHIS, independent MP Tiraspol as an economic blockade. Chisi- als. Previously, it has been decided not to and former Prime Minister nau and Kiev, in turn, have described the charge them any export taxes either apart measure as bringing border control into from the 0.18% customs clearance fee. compliance with international standards. This way, the Moldovan legislature The amended by Parliament legislation has has deprived Transnistrian authorities of made it easier for businesses in Transnis- the sole excuse to object to the Moldovan trian to conduct international trade and registration. As regards the Moldovan-reg- take advantage of all the benefits available istered Transnistrian companies, their tax to their Moldovan counterparts. burden hasn’t got any heavier. Moreover, Now, the Transnistrian businesses can without having to cease their production, ship their goods overseas enjoying trade they can enjoy broader sales opportuni- preferences granted to Moldova by the Eu- ties. ropean Union and the benefits of free trade No doubt, the new mechanism leaves Any amendment to the tax law accords with Romania, Ukraine and Rus- enough room for improvement, for which scares businessmen and, therefore, the sia, as well as the Stability Pact for Southeast purpose Parliament has granted the gov- bill should be thoroughly studied well in Europe and bilateral agreements with the ernment additional powers for “swift re- advance. Stability Pact members on one condition sponse to changes in the Transnistrian re- – these businesses must have Moldovan gion and prompt decision-making.” registration. The bill has evoked critical catcalls The amended law has straightened out from the opposition as contradicting the counts with Moldovan banks to hold the irregularities with VAT- and excise rebate Constitution. The OMA and CDPP fac- rebated sums, which, in turn, brings up the for Transnistrian entrepreneurs, which, tions noted that the issues concerning problem of foreign exchange. Moreover, upon registration, get the same rights as Transnistria’s trade activity should be reg- the opening of such accounts will require their Moldovan colleagues. Under the new ulated by Parliament-passed laws rather a permit from the Transnistrian central scheme, however, their tax contribution than by government resolutions. They also bank; otherwise there might be problems doesn’t go to the Moldovan budget, but is found the proposed scheme of (tax) rebate with the local authorities. deposited on special customs accounts and too complicated. Another unresolved issue remains rebated once the export/import operations Under these circumstances, however, the need to undergo goods expertise and are complete. The measure is meant to help in a bid to conciliate Transnistrian com- customs clearance on the Moldovan ter- panies who wished to set up link with the ritory which takes time and implies extra Igor DODON, Deputy Moldovan law, the majority faction (Com- charges. This is because Moldovan cus- Minister of Economy and Trade munists) has decided to get this legislation toms officers are not allowed in the Tran- through Parliament. The adopted decision snistrian-controlled 460 km-long sector has shown no intention on the part of the of the Moldovan-Ukrainian border. So far, Moldovan authorities to fill the national Ukraine hasn’t let the Moldovans partake coffer with proceeds from either temporary in the joint control of the Transnistrian car- or permanent registration of Transnistrian goes on the Ukrainian territory either. As companies in Moldova. to the Transnistrian customs, they are not To this date, about as 100 Transnistrian willing to give up their revenues from reg- entities – accountable for 80% of the re- istration and clearance of the local exports. gion’s industrial output and exports – have The Transnistrian administration has obtained Moldovan registration, the Reg- categorically rejected the new Moldovan istration Chamber has reported. However, proposals treating them as an attempt to This scheme has been developed to because of the obstacles set by Transnistri- seize the Transnistrian property and de- prevent dual taxation. The state doesn’t an administration, the process of registra- prive the region of its statehood. Unfor- wishes to cash in on these companies but tion runs slowly. tunately, contrary to the European Union, only to legalize their operations. On the other hand, Transnistrians re- OSCE, and the United States, Russia has main uncertain as to how to get their tax shared this view.
16 Parliamentary Courier no. 1 May 2006 Life of Parliamentary factions
FIRST QUARTER OF 2006 WAS SUCCESSFUL
In the first quarter of 2006, our fac- drafting a new regulation of Parliament. tion, like the whole Parliament, contin- Communist MPs hope to soon finalize a ued its legislative work in a condition of viable legislative act which would allow cooperation and consensus between most Parliament to operate in accordance with Eugenia Parliamentary groups, which has been es- present-day requirements and in the best Ostapciuc, tablished through the unanimous adoption democratic parliamentary traditions. The leader of the of the well-known declaration of political reasonable proposals put forward by other Parliamentary partnership. Parliamentary factions are also being taken faction of the The elaboration, discussion and adop- into consideration. Moldovan Com- tion of legislative acts was based on the Deputies continue to keep in touch with munist Party 2005-2009 legislative programme. This the electorate and we welcome their visits document, which will have a long-term to various localities throughout Moldova in impact on the activities of the whole Par- order to study the situation in districts and liament, pays specific attention to legisla- to give practical help to solve the existing tive initiatives aimed at bringing national problems and to study and generalize vot- legislation into line with EU standards. It ers’ proposals. Thus, in the first quarter of also establishes general criteria according 2006, Communist MPs visited all 28 may- to which the legislation in effect is to be oralties from Riscani District, in northern amended and adjusted to international leg- Moldova. They also visited the Tutun-CTC islation. tobacco company in Chisinau. Among the most important social laws As concerns international activities, we consider the law on wages in the budget in the first quarter of 2006, the Commu- sector which was adopted in December nist faction continued to pursue a real- 2005 and re-voted in the first quarter of istic foreign policy which is in line with 2006. This law perfectly suits our electoral the priorities of our party and the state. and government programmes and provides Thus, the leader of the Communist fac- for a significant increase in salaries in the tion and its ordinary members have met education and other important social ar- foreign officials and took an active part in eas. the activities of the standing Parliamen- Our faction continues to work hard on tary groups. THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY EXPRESSED IT’S POINT OF VIEW AS MANY TIMES AS IT WAS NECESSARY I consider that Parliament has not a number of amendments to Moldovan managed to approve really important legislation and we hope that they will be laws in the first quarter of 2006. One of adopted. the reasons was that we did not have a lot Our faction has taken an active part of time at our disposal. In general, the in discussions and presented its point of Dumitru Diacov, Democratic Party is pleased when its ide- view, which was often different from those leader of the Par- as, initiatives or amendments to various of both the ruling faction and the opposi- liamentary faction laws are accepted. As in 2005, Democratic tion parties, every time it was necessary. of the Democratic Party’s activities in 2006 have been rather I can say that the Democratic Party has a Party of Moldova fruitful. We have managed to elaborate constructive point of view and it always
Parliamentary Courier 17 no. 1 May 2006 Life of Parliamentary factions tries to build a bridge between MPs regardless of However, generally speaking, parliamentary ac- their political orientation. tivities were stable and the laws adopted contrib- Unfortunately, in the first half of 2006, no seri- uted to improving the situation in the country. I ous draft laws which could improve the social and am sure that over the next few months we will economic situation in the country were debated. manage to do more than we have done so far.
A PROLIFIC YEAR IN Parliament
I consider that the activities of the factions in the very first day of their ac- CDPP Parliamentary faction in 2005 tivities in the new Parliament. We have and the first months of 2006 were pro- all advocated European integration and digious, and as a result many initiatives further democratization of the state. I put forward by Christian Democrats or am glad that Moldova’s European part- supported by them were adopted. These ners have highly and unanimously ap- initiatives focused on fundamental po- preciated this partnership and its main litical and social reforms and central beneficial consequence - the political Vlad Cubreacov, state institutions, and were aimed at stability of this country. leader of the Parlia- bringing Moldova closer to European I consider that compared with pre- mentary faction of standards. vious Parliaments, the first year of ac- the Christian Demo- Over the last year, Parliament’s activ- tivities of the new Parliament was very cratic Popular Party ities were marked by the political part- prolific, maybe the most prolific year of (CDPP) nership reached by all the Parliamentary the last decade.
Parliament DEFENDS COMMUNIST AUTHORITIES AND IGNORES COUNTRY’S PROBLEMS
The OMA faction accuses the leadership of The OMA faction has put forward many the Moldovan Parliament of ignoring the main proposals and amendments aimed at improv- interests of the citizen and the country. Unfor- ing the situation in Moldova. Unfortunately, tunately, the current Parliament is serving the they were rejected or ignored by the Parlia- interests of the government and it blocks all mentary majority. In spite of this attitude, the Serafim opposition efforts to eliminate the political and OMA faction refuses to accept the fact that Urechean, economic lobby of the Parliamentary Com- Parliament is compromising the commitments leader of the Par- munist majority, to speed up reforms and the assumed by deputies towards the electorate. liamentary faction European integration process and to resume The Communist majority and its allies have of the Our Moldova Parliament’s constitutional role as the supreme practically given up the partnership for achiev- Alliance (OMA) body for solving the country’s key problems. ing the task of European integration. The coali- Moldova is facing many problems both tion, based on conspiracy, is compromising the inside and outside the country which aggra- partnership and democratic governing princi- vate citizens’ daily life. In these conditions, the ples from which even the Parliament speaker life of ordinary people in Moldova is marred Marian Lupu is deviating. by desperation. At the same time, Commu- The speaker is also violating the regulation nist capitalists are amassing huge fortunes, and democratic principles on a regular basis. deal with money laundering and then bring The speaker has a biased attitude towards op- the money back to Moldova as foreign invest- position deputies compared with MPs from ments. Meanwhile, the Parliamentary opposi- the pro-Communist coalition. Unfortunately, tion is being criticized precisely because it is Marian Lupu has given up practically all his asking the authorities to solve the problems of commitments undertaken voluntarily after he the citizens. was elected to this post. As a result, Parliament
18 Parliamentary Courier no. 1 May 2006 Life of Parliamentary factions
has been transformed into an annexe to the presidency If this request is ignored, then the OMA faction along with the government, the justice system and the reserves the right to demand the impeachment of the other central and local authorities. speaker. Our position is based on the fact that Mar- Being the initiator of the statement on political ian Lupu does not keep his own word and violates the partnership as well as the key responsible figure who rights of opposition MPs. He also compromises Parlia- violated its principles and his duties as speaker, we con- ment’s active involvement in solving the acute problems sider that Mr Marian Lupu has only one moral solution facing Moldovan citizens. – to voluntarily resign.
Deputy’s opinion MPs SHOULD LISTEN MORE TO ONE ANOTHER As an independent MPs, I have made debates on the draft law on TV and radio significant efforts to promote various broadcasting have questioned the sincerity changes to draft laws which are important of those who say that they want to cooper- for society in the first months of 2006. ate with civil society. One of these drafts was the bill on TV and Unfortunately, as in 2005, deputies are radio broadcasting which, by the way, had not listening too much to one another. It Dumitru Braghis, been shelved for more than two years and, is very sad when opposition amendments independent MP finally, passed its first reading in Parlia- are first rejected and later put forward in ment last April. I have also contributed to another form by the ruling faction, adopt- drafting amendments to the regulation of ed and, thus, the credits given to someone Parliament which needs to be rectified in else. order to improve Parliament’s activities. Here, I would like to express the hope As regards Parliament’s activities in that during the next few months depu- general, I do not think that there have ties will listen more to one another and been any serious changes compared with will think about the quality of laws rather 2005. However, it can be said that Parlia- than about their personal interests. I also ment is trying to become more transpar- consider that deputies should respect one ent and open and to cooperate more ac- another more and take into consideration tively with civil society. This can be said at the opinion of their colleagues. I am sure the first sight at least, although the recent that Parliament’s activities would be much
Deputy’s opinion THERE IS ROOM FOR IMPROVing Parliament’S ACTIVITIES Social Liberal Party deputies have had a very Liberals took part in examining important draft busy agenda in the first three months of 2006 laws, in particular those about effective reforms in which, by the way, passed very quickly. The Social Moldova and the 10 conditions put forward by the Liberals put forward four draft laws and parts of Christian Democratic Popular Party and the So- these have already been discussed by standing Par- cial Liberal Party a year ago. We also participated liamentary commissions. By the way, the draft law in examining the draft law on the radio and TV Oleg Serebrian, under which foreign films shown in cinema hous- broadcasting and had a position which was differ- independent MP es in Moldova should be dubbed or have subtitles ent from those of the other Parliamentary groups. in the state language caused small earthquakes in Generally, speaking I think that Parliament both Parliament and society. worked well, although there is still room for im- Like all the other political groups, the Social provement.
Parliamentary Courier 19 no. 1 May 2006 cOMmENTary A LONG LASTING MONITORING
Moldova has been a member of the Council of Europe since 1995 and it is still under the Council’s monitoring procedure. The last visit to Chisinau by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Monitoring Committee co-rapporteurs, Josette Durrieu and Egi- dijus Vareikis, in March this year brought hope that Moldova could enter a post-monitoring period in the near future.
n 2005 Moldova seemed close ble situation, for making a resolute shortcomings were also highlight- to this goal. In May, co-rap- step toward the European Union ed, which need to be eliminated. I porteurs Durrieu and Kvakke- membership”. She promised on be- These include granting broader stad stated that “the Republic of half of the European community powers to regional authorities, Moldova has entered an extremely support for “fast advancement of reforms of the judiciary, and revi- favorable period when its applica- structural and legal reforms called sion of public broadcasting laws. tion concerning integration into to ensure consolidation of Euro- The rapporteurs attached spe- Europe will be backed by Euro- pean democratic standards in all cial attention to the problem of pean structures in every possible spheres of (Moldovan) life”. Transnistria which they believe way”. During a meeting with Presi- prevents the development of econ- They praised “the stability and dent Vladimir Voronin they agreed omy and democracy. constructivism of the political at- that “as Moldova has practically “The Transnistrian issue has mosphere in Moldova established met the commitments it had un- long ceased to be just a local prob- after the March Parliamentary dertaken while joining the Council lem. This is a problem of stability election, as well as the distinct of Europe, there are real precondi- in the region that has to be solved wish by all the Parliamentary par- tions for Moldova’s transition in within the frame of the territo- ties to move formars to fulfil the the nearest future from the stage rial integrity and sovereignty of nation’s European aspirations”. of monitoring to the stage of con- Moldova,” Durrieu said. She said it While in Chisinau, Josette Dur- structive political dialog within was possible to get the Council of rieu expressed confidence that the the frame of the European Union”. Europe involved in the Transnis- “Moldovan authorities are able to However, the October reso- trian settlement work “given the assess the possibilities, being of- lution of PACE “Functioning wish of the negotiation parties”. fered by the present-time favora- of Democratic Institutions in “I regard Moldova as a European Moldova” was not so optimistic. nation and we must do everything Achievements were listed, includ- for Moldovans to become our part- ing progress toward European ners in Europe,” Durrieu said. integration and implementation Dumitru Diacov, member of the of the EU-Moldova Action Plan; Moldovan PACE Delegation and Transnistrian settlement evolution leader of the Parliamentary fac- and realization of the Yushchenko tion of the Democrat Party, while Plan involving the United States satisfied with the PACE Resolu- and the European Union; and en- tion in general, has urged compa- suring the independence and ef- triots “not to be deluded with its ficiency of the judiciary and the praise.” fight against corruption. But some “The Council of Europe has
20 Parliamentary Courier no. 1 May 2006 cOMmENTary
has been deliberately stemming the reforms in such sensitive areas as prosecution and judiciary, local autonomy and, particularly, radio and television,” he said. In Urechean’s opinion, many laws are “drafted in secrecy with- out involvement of profile NGOs, which is contrary to the principles of transparency and political plu- ralism”. outlined a list of tasks to be re- solved in a bid to bring Moldova in ment decisions comply with the line with the European standards EU-Moldova Action Plan and thus of democracy and human rights,” we should be able to meet its dead- said Diacov. line,” Ostapciuc said. The March visit of co-rappor- At a news conference summa- teurs has revealed no significant rizing their visit, the rapporteurs improvement in the situation. described the Moldovan situation Moldova has advanced along as “fairly stable”. They welcomed the path of democratic reforms the Moldovan Parliament’s deci- but the pace is not fast enough, sion to broadcast its plenary sit- said Durrieu. tings, change the composition of Their latest visit saw the co- the Audit Chamber and the Cen- rapporteurs meet with leaders of Vlad Cubreacov, leader of tral Electoral Commission (inclu- the Parliamentary factions. During the Parliamentary faction of the sion of opposition members), and one meeting, Serafim Urechean, Christian Democratic Popular to introduce of new customs rules leader of the “Our Moldova” Alli- Party (CDPP) was less categorical, for Transnistrian goods. ance Parliamentary faction, said it saying: “Moldova moves, albeit would be premature to terminate slowly, in the right direction.” The new customs regime is a the CoE monitoring procedure. Dumitru Diacov said he saw tool to legitimize Transnistrian “Moldova’s democratic de- nothing alarming about Moldova business operations. The old way velopment is being undermined being monitored by the Council of of cross-border transportation of by the Communist government, Europe for a long time. goods was economically beneficial sometimes in coalition with the “All the CIS countries-member to the self-proclaimed Tiraspol and the Baltic States are still under leadership, hence their disappoint- monitoring; the democracy in our ment with the situation occurred country is making its first steps since 3 March. Their actions at the and we can’t move away from that border have been no more than just yet, especially with the short- just a self-blockade, Durrieu said. comings still in place. Here we’re In her opinion, the sooner talking about the reform of public Moldova resolves the Transnis- administration, (transformation trian crisis the sooner it might be of TeleRadioMoldova into a genu- able to join the European Union. ine) public broadcaster and some The rapporteurs confirmed the other issues,” said Diacov. CoE position about fulfilment by The above opinion is shared by the Russian Federation of its inter- Eugenia Ostapciuc, leader of the national commitments regarding Parliamentary allies, which is evi- Communist Party faction, who withdrawal of troops and weapon- dent in the poor quality of the re- said the PACE monitoring should ry from the Transnistrian region. form legislation adopted since 22 not be seen as negative. The position of Russia gets June 2005 and covert negotiations “Thanks to the monitoring, we particularly delicate in view of the regarding government appoint- can get valuable advice from the fact that Russia is about to assume ments. The Parliament coalition Council of Europe. Our govern- the G-8 chairmanship, they said.
Parliamentary Courier 21 no. 1 May 2006 Parliament and Civil society
Civil society’s involvement in raising the efficiency of the decision-making process is a key objective in every democratic society. A state is democratic and modern when civil society has access to the ela- boration and adoption of decisions that are essential for political, economic and social development of a country. The Moldovan Parliament made the first step in this direction in late 2005, when deputies gave the green light to a blueprint on cooperation between Parliament and civil society. Parliament AND CIVIL SOCIETY COOPERATE!
he blueprint was drafted fol- fresh impetus to the development of when the Republic of Moldova an- lowing numerous calls for cre- the non-governmental sector. nounced its irreversible decision to ating cooperation mechanisms At the seminar “Principles of co- be part of the large European family, between the public authorities operation between civil society and we reached a decisive stage in devel- Tand civil society. Representatives of local public authorities in Moldova” oping the Moldovan society, a stage both NGOs and the authorities have held in late 2005, Speaker Marian when we can say for sure that the de- repeatedly spoken about the need to Lupu said: “Present-day perceptions velopment of the non-governmental involve civil society in the elabora- seen through the angle of demo- sector should be a national interest. tion of certain draft laws. cratic values and principles place I am convinced that the Republic of The goal of the blueprint is to start civil society among the key elements Moldova has reached a stage when an open and permanent dialogue be- of a state based on the rule of law. both public authorities and society tween civil society and Parliament. Meanwhile, democracy - which is should realize the importance of an On the one hand, this will contribute an ideal towards which every society efficient cooperation in people’s in- to improving the process of drafting aspires - describes civil society as a terests”. laws and, on the other, it will give a pillar of individual freedoms. Today, According to the speaker, over the last few years “the Moldovan civil so- ciety has not only survived in tough transition conditions, but also tried to impose itself as a true guardian of democratic values”. “Civil society is now present in all areas of activity and it is capable of putting forward opinions, assess- ments, strategies and conceptions. In this context, it is necessary to create a framework which would be favour- able for launching cooperation be- tween the public, governmental and non-governmental sectors in a bid to encourage civil initiatives, par- ticipatory democracy and objective understanding of problems facing Moldovan society today,” Lupu said. The speaker said that “the non- governmental sector should get in- volved in this process at a stage when
22 Parliamentary Courier no. 1 May 2006 Parliament and Civil society
“Civil society is now present in all areas of activity and it is capable of putting forward opinions, as- sessments, strategies and conceptions. In this context, it is necessary to create a framework which would be favourable for launching cooperation between the public, governmental and non-governmental sectors in a bid to encourage civil initiatives, participatory democracy and objective understanding of problems facing Moldovan society today,” its proposals can have a real impact amination and adoption are posted According to the speaker, among areas on legislative initiatives, while Parlia- on the Parliament’s web site - www. of common interests for a long-term ment can benefit from its participa- parlament.md – and civil society can period would be the implementation tion”. At the same time, in order to study them and put forward propos- of the legislative programme adopted bolster mutual confidence, the con- als by the set deadlines. in October 2005 and the support giv- sultative process should be open and Under the blueprint, public hear- en to the process of bringing the na- the cooperation mechanism should ings and ad-hoc meetings are to be tional legislation in line with the aqui be clear to both public associations conducted and councils of experts communitaire. involved in this process and the pub- attached to standing Parliamen- For a short-term period, this co- lic opinion, the speaker said. tary commissions are to be created. operation could focus on actions At a conference at which the blue- Through them, civil society can par- stipulated in the cooperation plan be- print was presented, Speaker Marian ticipate in finishing the elaboration of tween the Moldovan Parliament and Lupu recalled that cooperation with laws. the Council of Europe. However, civil civil society is one of the four priori- Following many talks with rep- society should not confine itself to ties set by the current Parliament at resentatives of civil society, it has this aspect only. the beginning of its activities. In ad- been decided that all NGOs, includ- The executive director of the In- dition, this cooperation is stipulated ing those from Moldova’s breakaway stitute for Public Policy, Arcadie Bar- in the Moldova-EU Action Plan. Transnistrian region, should have barosie, has described the process In order to ensure a functional equal access to and equal possibilities of cooperation between Parliament blueprint, several key objectives have of cooperating with Parliament. and civil society as constructive and been set: to assess problems facing In early March 2006, Speaker important, given the fact that every society, to represent more broadly in Marian Lupu had a meeting with NGO or individual will be able to Parliament the opinions of various representatives of a dozen of NGOs contribute to improving the legisla- groups of citizens, to make partici- at which the implementation of this tive process. He said that civil society patory democracy and the decision- document was discussed. is first of all interested in the observ- making process more efficient, to According to Lupu, the goal of the ance of human rights, freedom of ex- encourage civic initiatives, to expand meeting was to inform representatives pression, access to information and and improve the legislative frame- of civil society that all legal, logistic gender equality. work through a larger participation and organizational aspects of this Undoubtedly, this document is not of voters in this process. process have already been prepared. only a basis for cooperation between In accordance with this document, The participants in the meeting dis- Parliament and NGOs, but also an im- starting from February 2006, all draft cussed practical ways of cooperation portant step forward in implementing laws submitted to Parliament for ex- between Parliament and civil society. the Moldova-EU Action Plan.
“The beginning of cooperation between This blueprint will have numerous ben- Parliament and civil society is a good sign. eficial effects. In particular, MPs will be di- The blueprint on cooperation between rectly informed about needs of civil society, Parliament and civil society will allow rep- and be able to solve problems quicker, and resentatives of civil society to get involved there will be more transparency in Parlia- in the decision-making process, to exam- ment’s activities, something both sides are ine the laws which are being drafted and to interested in. I am sure that this coopera- express their opinion. I have attended the tion will bolster civil society’s confidence Vladimir Garaba, meetings between representatives of civil in Parliament and its decisions. As a rep- society and Parliament and I consider that resentative of civil society, I wish that this chairman of the Chisinau such meetings are auspicious and very use- blueprint becomes functional and a con- branch of the Moldovan ful. tinuous process.” Environmentalist Move- ment
Parliamentary Courier 23 no. 1 May 2006 Topical CALENDAR PROGRAMME – A CONDITION FOR EU INTEGRATION n late 2005, the Moldovan Parlia- the Council of Europe (also known ment approved the Calendar Pro- as the Monitoring Commission) gramme of legislative actions in ac- has paid numerous visits to cordance with the Resolution and Moldova in order to study I Recommendations of the Com- the situation. During mission for Respecting Obligations these visits, the mem- and Commitments by Member States bers of the commis- of the Council of Europe, adopted in sion meet with heads Strasbourg on 4 October 2005. and representatives This document gives the oppor- of state institutions, tunity to send bills to the Council of as well as with repre- European integration. Europe for expert assessment. After as- sentatives of political Here are some of the 18 laws sessment, the bills, which can already and public organizations. which are to be adopted by Parlia- be described as in line with European Between visits, the sides keep per- ment: standards, can be adopted by Parlia- manently in touch, a fact which allows * Broadcasting code of the Repub- ment. continuous monitoring of how Moldo- lic of Moldova. This bill was debated Moldova joined the Council of Eu- va is meeting obligations and commit- in April 2006. The goal of this draft rope in 1995 and was immediately in- ments undertaken when joining the law is to create democratic principles cluded in the list of countries which Council of Europe. This dialogue has for the functioning of radio and TV are subject to monitoring in accord- resulted in numerous recommenda- channels in Moldova and to defend the ance with the Council of Europe pro- tions and assessments of legislative rights of the audience. The bill sets the cedures. In particular, the Council of acts drafted by Moldova. So far, steady legal basis for regulating the creation Europe monitors how the Moldovan progress has been registered in bring- and broadcasting/re-broadcasting of legislation is being improved in order ing the Moldovan legislation in line programmes under Moldovan legisla- to adjust it to Council of Europe prin- with Council of Europe principles and tion. It also regulates public and pri- ciples and criteria. requirements. vate TV and radio channels and pro- Over the last 10 years when Moldo- However, 11 years after joining the vides for civil society’s control of the va has been monitored, the Commis- Council of Europe, Moldova still con- activities of broadcasters. The code has sion for Respecting Obligations and tinues to be monitored by this Europe- been drafted because the current state Commitments by Member States of an institution because there are many of the radio and TV channels requires legislative drawbacks which were men- amendments to the law. Radio and TV tioned in the last resolution that was channels should be independent in edi- accompanied by the recommendations torial policy and must broadcast objec- of the monitoring commission. This tive and unbiased reports. document was discussed and adopted * Reorganisation of the legal sys- at the 4 October 2005 plenary session tem. of the Parliamentary Assembly of the It is planned to create working Council of Europe (PACE). groups to draft bills on amending laws The Calendar Programme repre- on the status of judicial officials in- sents a selection of legislative tasks cluding judges, the Supreme Council stipulated by PACE on 4 October of Magistrates, the disciplinary col- 2005. The fulfilment of these tasks will lege and disciplinary responsibilities contribute to a positive assessment of of judges, the college on qualification Moldova’s efforts by the monitoring and the approval procedure for judges. commission. This will create prereq- It is also planned to finalise soon the uisites for ending the monitoring pe- drafting of laws on the status of execu- riod and reaching a new stage – that of tion bodies, clerks, rules on amending post-monitoring cooperation with the the contravention code, and the law on Council. It should be mentioned that lawyers. All these bills pursue the goal this aspect is absolutely necessary in of transparency and easier access to the context of Moldova’s objective of justice.
24 Parliamentary Courier no. 1 May 2006 interpellations by deputies
This column will focus on deputies’ interpellations and answers received. Due to shortage of space, Parliamentary Courier will publish only the gist of some interpellations and answers but will try to include as many of them as possible.
IMPACT OF ROMANIA’S EU ENTRY practice was dropped. Since 1996, pensions and salaries have been periodically increased. The latest increase took WILL BE MINIMAL place in early 2006, when wages of some categories of * Deputy Vladimir Filat has asked the Economics and budget employees such as teachers and doctors soared by Trade Ministry to provide information about the impact about 40%. of Romania’s entry into the EU on 1 January 2007 on In addition, pensions are indexed in Moldova every Moldova’s foreign trade. year on 1 April. The government is now working on a new * From the answer of Economics and Trade Minister draft law on indexation of revenues. The document will Valeriu Lazar: be submitted to Parliament for examination and adoption Romania’s joining the EU will not seriously affect after the enactment of the law on wages in the budget sec- Moldova’s foreign trade. Over the recent years, Romania tor (the law is already in force – editor’s note). has constantly been in the third place among Moldova’s foreign trade partners, with imports and exports standing at about 20%. AGRICULTURE NEEDS After Romania joins the EU, the free trade agreement HELP AGAIN between Moldova and Romania will be cancelled. How- * Deputy Marcel Raducanu has asked the Agriculture ever, we hope that the impact of cancellation will be mini- and Food Industry Ministry to provide information about mal because our bilateral relations will be based on EU the situation in agriculture as a result of record low tem- rules which provide for free access to the EU market of peratures last winter. many foreign products. * From the answer of Deputy Agriculture and Food In- Starting from 1 January 2006, Moldova has enjoyed dustry Minister Anatol Spivacenco: the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP+) in relations The low temperatures registered in early 2006 have af- with the EU. This system allows Moldova to export to Ro- fected most agricultural plants sowed last autumn. A total mania, after the latter joins the EU, about 75% of goods of 294,600 hectares were sowed last autumn, or 74% of all that it now exports under the free trade regime. SGP+ fields which had to be sowed. Of them, 247,000 hectares will also cover 52% of Moldova’s imports from Romania were sowed with wheat, 33,900 hectares with barley and which are currently subject to the free trade regime. In the rest with rape. After the last January-February frosts, addition, there are several categories of goods which are specialists said that only 17% of wheat fields, 8% of barley imported at zero tax rate. It means that Romania’s acces- fields and 5% of rape fields are in a good shape. At the sion to the EU could affect only one third of Moldova’s same time, the district agricultural commissions estab- imports from Romania. lished that 40% of wheat fields and 32% of barley fields However, MPs have sent messages to the government are in a satisfactory condition. Between 10% and 25% of and Parliaments of the European countries which are its buds of orchard trees and 25-35% of vine buds were hit partners asking that the EU offers Moldova Autonomous by frosts. Commercial Preferences. Brussels has already taken a po- litical decision to this effect which is mentioned in the Moldova-EU Action Plan. Now the government must TERMOCOM’S DECISION TO meet the necessary conditions so that starting from the DISCONNECT DEBTORS FROM next year Moldova enjoys the PAC (Partnership and Co- HEATING WAS ILLEGAL operation Agreement) along with the Balkan countries. * Deputy Ion Neagu has contested the decision of the Termocom heating company to disconnected indebted NEW LAW ON INDEXATION consumers from the network in the middle of the winter * From the answer of Termocom director Dionisie An- OF REVENUES tocel: * Deputy Valentina Serpul has asked the government Termocom’s decision to disconnect some indebted to provide information about the need to periodically in- apartment blocks from the heating network was perfectly dex people’s revenues. legal. Legislation gives Termocom the right to take such * From the answer of Deputy Economics and Trade action and if the company did not use it, then it would Minister Sergiu Sainciuc: not have been capable of supplying heat to consumers According to the law on indexation of revenues which who are paying their heating bills. It is not true that Ter- is now in force, revenue are indexed only following an mocom disconnected dozens of apartment buildings from increase in prices for goods and services. Several such the heating network. We have disconnected only three indexations had been carried out until 1996 when this apartment buildings where payments were under 12%.
Parliamentary Courier 25 no. 1 May 2006 Feedback Parliament IS ANSWERING...
The Moldovan Parliament receives dozens of letters every day from citizens who face various problems and ask for Parliament’s help. Here are some of the letters and solutions found by Parliament.
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- Residents of the village of Magdacesti, CriuleniThe ex District, have asked Parliament to include Mag dacesti in an investment plan which would help to provide the village with drinking water. penses stand at about 280,000 lei (about 21,500 dollars). Parliament has met the requirement and, as a result, 300,000 lei of the 2006 budget have been earmarked for completing the construction of an artesian well, for building a 1.3-km water supply system and for some other works. M. Dimov from the village of Ghidighici, Chisinau municipality, has asked for financial support to build a new house after his current house, where he is living with his daughter, was badly damaged by the heavy rains in A Andrei Calancea from the town of ugust 2005. asked for Parliament’s support in granting prefer The mayoralty of Ghidighici gave M. Dimov a place ential credits to to build a new house, the Chisinau city hall gave him participants in the 1992 war for Moldova’s territoOrhei has 250,000 lei and the republican fund for support of popu Iacob I rial integrity. vanov and lation offered him 2,000 lei. Timofei Marit, - their housing problems.The credits had to be used to solve A special Parliamentary commission has exam - - ined the request and decided that Timofei Marit should receive a 70,000-leu preferential credit to solve his housing problem. However, the commis - - sion said that Ivanov Iacob couldn’t enjoy the same s privileges as he had already used his right to re A ceive preferential credits. - Authors of most letters sent to Parliament ask for fi - - nancial assistance to buy medicines or pay utility bills. a result, dozens of people have received assistance from Alexandru Hramov (Chisinau) the national and local funds for the support of popula mong these were tion. A – 2,000 lei, MihailVera I Botnaruscenco (Chisinau) (Batir,Ludmila Cimislia – 1,000 Cirpa District) lei, (Chisinau) Fiodor – 1,000 lei, Costetchi (Chisinau) – 800 lei, Ioana Cambur (Chisinau) - 800 lei, Galina Gorbatiuc (Chisinau) – 700 lei,oroca) Nadejda – 500 Dragan (Chisinau) - 600 lei, Ioana Madan (Chisinau) - 500 lei, PetruAlexandra Ciolacu - - 500 lei, Ion Garbadjiu from the town of Cimislia, invalid of - - (Chisinau) – 500 lei, Pelagheia Cojuhari (S first degree, has asked for support to build a new house lei, Vladimir Ghirba (Floresti) – 400 lei and after his old house was destroyed by fire. Sidorova (Chisinau) – 500 lei. As a result of government’s involvement, the Coun Eugenia Mostvenco and Enafia Luzeanina have re cil for Administration of Housing Fund decided to of ceived 450 lei and, respectively, 500 lei as assistance from fer a 3,000-leu financial help to Ion Garbadjiu. the fund of the Parliamentary speaker.
26 Parliamentary Courier Parliamentary committEes
Committee for Legal Issues, Appointments Secretary and Immunities BORGAN Serafima Chairman Members TURCAN Vladimir OSTAPCIUC Eugenia Vice-chairmen SEREBRIAN Oleg SIDOROV Mihail BANARI Ivan PLESCA Ion DIACOV Dumitru Secretary GUTUL Nicolai BALMOS Galina SOCOCOL Sergiu Members MANTOROV Oleg Committee for Public Administration, Environ- VLAH Irina ment BRAGHIS Dumitru and Territorial Development CIONTOLOI Ion Chairman SUSARENCO Gheorghe UNTILA Veaceslav ZAGORODNII Anatolie Vice-chairmen GUTU Ivan BALAN Vasile Committee for Economic Policy, Secretary Budget and Finance AFONIN Alim Chairman Members BONDARCIUC Nicolae CALIN Ivan Vice-chairmens BODNARENCO Elena POPA Gheorghe PRIJMIREANU Dumitru BOLBOCEANU Iurie CIOBANU Vladimir NEAGU Ion JALBA Zoia Secretary GROSU Lora CALMATUI Valeriu MUSTEATA Gheorghe Members CAVLAC Ecaterina Committee for Culture, Science, Education, GUTU Ion Youth, Sports and Media BRAGA Vladimir Chairman PINTEA Vasile STEPANIUC Victor GUMA Valeriu Vice-chairmen PETRENCO Grigore DRAGOMIR Vladimir BULGACOV Ghenadi IVANOV Dumitru MANDAJI Afanasi Secretary GHERMAN Stella Committee for National Security, Members Defense and Public Order STEPA Boris Chairman GOZUN Petru STOICOV Iurie PASECINIC Arcadi Vice-chairmen TARANU Anatol GAREV Valeri ONCEANU Anatolie FILAT Vladimir VARTA Ion Secretary LEAHU Angela LIPCAN Alexandru Members Committee for Agriculture and Food Industry POSTOICO Maria Chairman ROSCA Iurie COSARCIUC Valeriu MISIN Vadim Vice-chairmen MOCAN Mihail TODOROGLO Dmitri VITIUC Vladimir CUSNIR Valentina DEATOVSCHI Nicolai Secretary KLIPII Igor COLTA Vasile DRAGAN Semion Members JDANOV Alexandru Committee for Human Rights BODISTEANU Vasile Chairman ERIOMIN Iurie SECAREANU Stefan COTOROBAI Alexandru Vice-chairman GROZAV Vasile OLEINIC Nicolae RADUCAN Marcel Secretary MIRON Anton CHIRIAC Adriana Members Committee for Social Policy, ZIMIN Larisa Healthcare and Family DOBROVOLSCAIA Victoria Chairman BORGULA Ludmila BULIGA Valentina CHETRARU Iosif Vice-chairmen GUTU Lidia EREMCIUC Vladimir TULEA Oleg GOLBAN Valentina BUJOR Leonid Secretary GUDUMAC Eva Members ANTON Mircea Committee for Foreign Policy MORCOV Ghenadie and European Integration DATCO Albert Chairman OLEINIC Alexandru STATI Sergiu URECHEAN Serafim Vice-chairmen SERPUL Valentina IOVV Vasile URSUL Ala PAVLICENCO Vitalia CUBREACOV Vlad 29 May 2006