New Borders in the Southeastern Europe and Their Impact on the Stability in the Region of Central European Initiative (CEI) 12 December 2002
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New borders in the southeastern Europe and their impact on the stability in the region of Central European Initiative (CEI) 12 december 2002 Part II. Dorin Purice: Colaboration between the Republic of Moldova and the countries of Southeastern Europe in combating crossborder criminality............................. 2 Oleg Graur: The Border Guard Troops`Role in functioning and controlling the state border .......................................................................................................... 21 Dr. Stanislav Ceciui: Moldovan Border on the Map of Europe ....................... 42 IPP, Romania: Consolidation of Border Security and Regional Stability .......... 53 V. Esanu. Some aspects of the Moldo-Romanian Co-operation for Regulating the Flow of Goods and Persons at the Border between the Republic of Moldova and Romania........................................................................................................ 93 Boris Parahonschii. International co-operation in the CEI area and impact of foreign factors on the situation in the Carpathian-Danubian region................... 97 1 Collaboration between the Republic of Moldova and the countries of Southeastern Europe in combating cross-border criminality D.Purice, Liaison Officer of the Republic of Moldova to the SECI Regional Center for Prevention and Combating Cross-border criminality The Republic of Moldova is a rather young state, which emerged as a result of the breakdown of the former USSR and which along with the other former Soviet Union Republics started to create its foundation for an independent economic and social development. The Republic of Moldova with a surface of only 33.8 thousand square km (350 km from North to South and 150 km from East to West) has been divided in small autonomies and even hosts the so-called phantom-republic or the self-proclaimed Transnistrian Republic. During the last decade, the Republic of Moldova has known certain “favorable and encouraging phenomena” (referring to the indices of economic growth), which were mentioned especially in the reports presented by the previous governments. The truth is that we have become one of the poorest countries in Europe, if not in the world, where corruption, protectionism and organized crime flourish. We place first among the countries trafficking human beings to foreign countries for prostitution or slavery reasons. The aspirations and plans of the biggest foreign investors have vanished because of political instability, bureaucracy and corruption, lack of a stable and strong legal framework, which would be able to regulate promptly all legal relationships. However, during these years the Republic of Moldova has succeeded to create itself a certain image at the international level, becoming member of numerous organizations and international institutions, such as: World Trade Organization, World Customs Organization, OSCE, Council of Europe, UNO, High Commissioner for Refugees, International Organization for Intellectual Property, CIS, Central European Initiative, Southeastern Europe Cooperation Initiative (SECI), Black Sea Commission, South-Eastern Europe Stability Pact, the Commission of the Danube Basin etc. Thus, there are certain signs demonstrating a so- called external activity or European integration, even if adherence to certain international organizations is dictated by the pre-electoral policies, or by specific motives followed by separate political groups or by the desire to eventually obtain grants or additional credits. Presently, the Republic of Moldova cannot honor its financial obligations or other member duties towards the international organizations, an attitude of indifference and superficiality of our country’s representatives participating in the workings of international organizations persists. According to our opinion, the Republic of Moldova was able however to focus its attention on certain initiatives and projects, which appeared to be extremely useful and beneficial, while the importance of participating and the role of our country were highly appreciated by the other member states. Among these initiatives, we would mention the following: • Southeastern Europe Cooperation Initiative (SECI), • Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe, • SECI Regional Center for Preventing and Combating Cross-border Criminality 2 All these initiatives aim to fight corruption, organized crime and other types of criminal activities with transnational character – phenomena that obtained an enormous share in the Republic of Moldova. Moldova adhered to these initiatives due to its special geopolitical location, as well as being convinced that confident steps are made, which would assure the European integration. Fighting corruption and organized crime in the Republic of Moldova will contribute to the improvement of the social climate and to the assurance of peace, security and stability in the Region. 1. SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE COOPERATION INITIATIVE (SECI) A) Planned purposes and intentions Southeastern Europe Cooperation Initiative (SECI) launched on December 6, 1996, was proposed by the United States of America through Ambassador Schifter, by the President and by the State Secretary of the USA. The member states of the Southeastern Europe Cooperation Initiative are Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Hungary, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Turkey, Croatia, Slovenia The purposes of the Initiative were to increase regional cooperation and to assure stability in the countries of South-Eastern Europe, assuring their access to European integration. This is accomplished through encouraging the cooperation process and exteriorization of solutions of resolution economic and environmental problems. Thus, under the auspices of SEC,I the participating countries attempt to approach in common the existent problems in various fields and aspects related to regional development, through encouragement of information exchange, initiation of interstate programs and attracting private capital for the supplementation of financial sources. The work reunions of the representatives of SECI participant states take place on an urgent basis, promptly, through organizing of ad hoc work groups composed of experts and specialists responsible of the successful organization of reunions. SECI offers a High-Level Personality (HLP) of the decisions taken by the participating countries facilitating the implementation of various regional projects. The High-Level Personality offered by SECI may work as an assurance that the decisions and programs proposed by the participating states will be successfully implemented Southeastern Europe Cooperation Initiative should not overlap with or double the existent projects or initiatives. It aims to work along with other cooperation initiatives in the region, including the European Union, the Sofia Declaration regarding the relations of good vicinity, Stability, Security and Cooperation in the Balkans, Central European Initiative and Economic Cooperation in the Black Sea Basin. The international financial institutions, the European Union, the United States of America and other interested parties are invited to grant the necessary assistance to the member states of SECI, through the consulting role, through concrete actions in view of forecast, analysis and expertise of the projects proposed for realization. 3 B) Common points of view established between the European Union and the United States of America The European Union and the United States of America have decided upon the following basic principles regarding the process of Cooperation in South-Eastern Europe: 1. The purpose of the Southeastern Europe Cooperation Initiative consists in assuring stability in the region through economic development, assuring the optimal climate, attracting the private sector in the organized actions. 2. SECI will complete and amplify the activity of other initiatives implemented in the region, including the process of stability and good vicinity in South-Eastern Europe initiated by the European Union, however not doubling its functions. 3. It is important that the initiative be received and accepted mainly by the countries from the region, i.e. by the participants. 4. All countries of the region are invited to participate in SECI. As long as the participation of the Former Yugoslav Republics remains the subject of the agreement, these will not be harmed or limited to participation in the international organizations and will not be subject to any other restrictions. However, the participation of the Former Yugoslav Republics will not influence the policies of the European Union and of the United States of America regarding the relationships between these republics and the European community. 5. The countries participating in SECI will choose the High-Level Personality in order to favor the activity of the Initiative. 6. The secretarial activity, or other professional activities aiming to assure the High- Level Personality, will be supported by the experts from the USA, EU and other international organizations. 7. SECI will focus its attention to the projects, which will not create competition to the projects of the similar organizations or initiatives in the region, including the policies implemented by the European Union in the region. 8. The international financial institutions, the EU, the USA may participate in the projects initiated by SECI depending on case. They may assist the activity of the projects though organization