Parliamentary

CourierIssue No. 2, August 2006 Newsletter of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova

pag. 3 A Parliamentary session of great responsibility

pag. 5 Moldova fulfilled allmost all its commitments towards the Council of Europe

pag.16 A step forward in solving the Transnistrian problem

pag. 17 Will the situation improve after new radio and TV broadcasting code is implemented? contents

A Parliamentary session of great responsibility 3

Moldova’s real independence is born only now 4

Government provides macroeconomic stability 4

Moldova fulfilled allmost all its commitments towards the Council of Europe 5

Maria Postoico: “Legislative reforms bring us closer to the European Union” 6

The Moldovan Parliament statement on the intention of the administration in Tiraspol to conduct an illegal referendum to separate country’s territory 8

Parliamentary ties 9

Parliamentary factions life 12

A step forward in solving Transnistrian problem 16

Will the situation improve after new radio and TV broadcasting code is implemented? 17

Legal framework 18

Parliamentary hearings 20

Interpellations 22

Parliament as seen by its oldest and youngest deputies 23

First results 24

Parliament answers 26

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development net- work, advocating 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 Parliament 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”. Issue No. 2, August 2006 Results A PARLIAMENTARY SESSION OF GREAT RESPONSIBILITY

he longest session in the history of the Moldovan gramme for 2005-2009, the Economic Growth and Poverty Parliament of the 16th convocation has just ended. Reduction Strategy, the Moldova-EU Action plan. According to many deputies and experts, this was The Parliament has also ratified 24 international acts al- the most productive and the most important ses- lowing Moldova to join a number of international treaties Tsion of the current Parliament. and conventions, among them the European Convention on Along with a huge number of laws and decisions adopt- the Legal Status of Migrant Workers and the Convention ed by MPs, this session was also marked by the consolida- against Human Trafficking. tion of the legislative stability, whose foundation was laid Over this period, the Parliament has received about after the March 2005 parliamentary elections. 2,200 petitions and letters focusing on social protection, In a speech given at the end of the spring-summer ses- health and housing issues, observance and implementation sion, Parliament Speaker Marian Lupu said that the session of legislation, in particular of laws on providing order and enforcement of court decisions. The Parliament Speaker also said that the spring-sum- mer session resulted in consolidation of deputies’ political will and understanding of the importance of the promoted reforms not only as a way of meeting commitments under- taken towards foreign partners, but also as a domestic need given the existing prerequisites and conditions. Here, Speaker Marian Lupu cited the dialogue with the civil society, during which the NGOs participated not only in debating draft laws included in the calendar programme, but also in their elaboration. According to the Speaker, the results of this dialogue prove that there are possibilities for a fruitful cooperation and for building mutual trust. During the spring-summer session, the Parliament paid specific attention to parliamentary diplomacy. As a result, over this period Moldova was visited by a number of top parliamentary officials, among them the Vice Chairperson which has just ended could be compared with a marathon of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, in terms of duration and results. According to the speaker, Baroness Emma Nicholson, deputy chairmen of the Greek, the spring-summer session was also a very responsible one Lithuanian and Turkish parliaments, the chairman of the and it was marked by the fulfillment of the Calendar Pro- Chinese Parliament and the Chairman of the Parliamentary gramme of legislative actions in accordance with the Reso- Assembly of the Council of Europe, Rene van der Linden. lution and Recommendations of the Commission on the Moldovan MPs have also established cooperation rela- Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by member tions with the British Parliament and participated in a meet- states of the Council of Europe. ing of Presidents of Parliaments from the member states Statistics show that deputies have adopted about 300 of the South East European Cooperation Process and in a laws and decisions during the 32 plenary sessions. The fol- meeting of presidents of parliaments from the Council of lowing laws were among the most important: Europe member states. Moldovan parliamentary delegations • the package of laws focusing on budget and financial have also paid working visits to the Czech Republic, the Bal- policy for 2007; tic States and the Russian Federation. • the package of laws adopted under the cooperation Speaker Marian Lupu also summed up Parliament’s suc- programme with the International Monetary Fund – the cesses on the path of European integration, saying that all law on the National Bank, the law on state enterprises, the the achieved results were due to the political consensus es- law on small and medium-sized companies, the law on tablished in the Parliament and the responsibility with which principles and mechanisms of regulating entrepreneurial deputies are approaching the country’s foreign priorities. activities; During the spring-summer session, the Parliament has • the law on payment of wages in the budget sector; the showed sufficient political maturity and tremendous respon- law on gender equality, the law on fighting family violence, sibility. If these trends strengthen during the next sessions, the law on lifting visa requirements for the EU, US, Cana- then the Parliament of the 16th convocation stands a good dian, Swiss and Japanese citizens; chance of going down in history as one of Moldova’s most • a number of laws included in the government pro- efficient Parliaments.

Parliamentary Courier  Issue No. 2, August 2006 Speech MOLDOVA’S REAL INDEPENDENCE IS BORN ONLY NOW It has already become a tradition that the President and the Prime Minister deliver speeches in the Parliament at the end of parliamen- tary sessions. The spring-summer session 2006 was no exception. However, the tradition was not fully observed this time, a fact men- tioned by President Vladimir Voronin himself. At the beginning of his speech, the President said that he would like to somewhat change the tradition of presenting triumphant re- ports about what has been done. „Of course, there are things to be told to the society about our achievements in the economic and social areas, European integra- tion and the settlement of the conflict with Transnistria,” Voronin told deputies. However, instead, the president said he preferred to put forward some proposals of great importance for Moldova’s fu- ture as a state. “The foreign challenges that have been recently faced by our good banking system and a transparent and efficient system of regis- country prove that, in fact, our real independence, whose 15th birth- tering companies. The President believes that Moldova should thor- day we will mark soon, is being born only now, these months. oughly study the experience of those countries which were not afraid This process will turn victorious only if we manage to consoli- of giving more freedoms to both domestic and foreign companies. date all the forces in order to achieve new significant progress and “Reasonable taxes should be set for non-residents in order to at- take correct strategic political and economic decisions,” the presi- tract them to Moldova. It is necessary to develop the infrastructure, dent said. roads and telecommunications first of all,” Voronin said. Vladimir Voronin said that now everyone should look at the The President also advocated a new approach to the free eco- situation in the country from a different point of view. “During all nomic zones, which, in his opinion, should attract investments from years of our independence, we tried to show to the whole world that the whole region. we are like everybody else… Now a new stage is beginning and its Voronin said that Moldova needs an industrial revolution and essence is that we have to prove that we own specific peculiarities called on deputies not to be afraid of too many economic freedoms, which can be considered as competitive advantages and that these as, at the end of the day, they will have a positive impact on the coun- advantages can be exploited, under certain circumstances, for the try. best of our country.” “But in the situation that we, our country and our nation are fac- The president spoke in favour of a new policy on attraction of in- ing, we have only one way towards prosperity. This is accelerated vestments and the creation of a specific economic climate in Moldo- modernization. I am sure that here we will enjoy the trust and sup- va. President Voronin said that, in order to achieve this, Moldova port of our citizens. I am sure that only in this way we will ensure a already has political stability, a number of bilateral agreements on real independence of our country and its territorial and civil unity,” avoiding double taxation and mutual protection of investments, a the President concluded. GOVERNMENT PROVIDES MACROECONOMIC STABILITY In the first six months of 2006, the Moldovan Government national economy increased by 15.5% up to 1,563.5 lei (117 dol- has managed to provide macroeconomic stability, strengthen lars), while pensions soared by 22.5% up to 442.5 lei (33 dollars). tax discipline and preserve the economic growth in spite of the Meanwhile, Tarlev admitted that the “foreign shocks” have not negative influence of foreign factors such as Russia’s wine ban. remained unobserved. As a result, inflation was 7.2% in January- These are the key points of a report presented by Prime Minister June, the Moldovan currency, leu, devaluated by 3.6% towards the US Vasile Tarlev to deputies at the end of the spring-summer ses- dollar, exports dropped by 10.6%, while imports increased by 14.4%. sion. Tarlev said that the industrial output decreased by 6.6% in wake The prime minister said that GDP soared by 6.2% in January- of Russia’s wine ban which cost Moldova 21million dollars. However, June 2006 compared with the same period last year. The increase the Government said it has managed to reduce losses by 16 million in the agricultural sector was 1.8%, sales of consumer goods dollars thanks to wine exports to other countries. jumped by 6.6%, investments in fixed capital increased by 13% In these conditions, the goal of replacing imports with exports is and the transport of passengers went up by 6.6%. practically unattainable, Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev said. However, According to the Prime Minister, social indicators also im- the Government remains optimistic and it will do its best to improve proved over this period. In particular, the average salary in the the situation.

 Parliamentary Courier Issue No. 2, August 2006 Calendar programme MOLDOVA FULFILLED ALLMOST ALL ITS COMMITMENTS TOWARDS THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

The fulfilment of the Calendar Programme of legislative actions in accordance with the Resoluti- on and Recommendations of the Commission on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by member states of the Council of Europe has marked the spring-summer session of the Moldovan Parliament. Summing up the results of the session that has just ended, Parliament Speaker Marian Lupu has said the Parliament has already dealt with 16 out of the 18 points included in the Calendar program- me. In particular, it adopted 11 laws in two readings and 5 laws in the first reading and sent them to the Council of Europe for a last expert assessment. Marian Lupu said that the Parliament did not adopt only two laws envisaged in the Calendar programme – the law on political parties and the Education Code. Lupu said that both laws will be adopted during the autumn session. Overall, in order to meet its commitments towards the Council of Europe, the Parliament re- viewed about 40 laws, for which 22 drafts were developed. We will refer below to several of them, which are of major importance. I. Rules and Procedures of the should meet, how their decisions enter into force, what is the re- PARLIAMENT sponsibility of local councillors, mayors and deputy mayors. Deputies have also voted in the first reading two bills aimed at In accordance with a draft law voted by MPs in the first read- strengthening the local autonomy in Moldova. They also passed ing, the most important articles of the Parliament’s Rules and Pro- in the final reading a number of amendments under which each cedures will be amended. For instance, the provision on the crea- of Chisinau’s five sectors will have its own mayor and a council tion of parliamentary factions will see substantial changes. Thus, elected by voters. the right to create parliamentary factions will be granted not only to parties and blocs which attended the parliamentary elections, but also to parties which entered the Parliament as part of an elec- III. MPs SET CRITERIA FOR toral bloc. ESTABLISHING MORAL DAMAGE Under the amendments, the parliamentary majority will be The Moldovan Parliament has approved a number of amend- considered the parliamentary faction or coalition announced ments to the Civil Code under which the following criteria should through a statement and which has the necessary number of dep- be taken into consideration while determining the size of compen- uties in order to adopt organic laws. The parliamentary factions sations paid for moral damage: the nature of the spread informa- which do not join the ruling majority will be considered opposi- tion, area of its circulation and its social impact, seriousness and tion. duration of victim’s psychic and physical suffering, the degree of The other important amendments to the Parliament’s Rules guilt of the person who caused the damage, victims’ satisfaction and Procedures focus on the election of the Parliament Speaker, with the paid compensation, publishing of a correction and grant- the activities of the permanent bureau, the creation of parliamen- ing the right to publish a denial before the court pronounces its tary committees and special commissions, the organization of ex- verdict. Thus, the Parliament has dotted all the i’s on one of the traordinary parliamentary sessions, deputies’ right to put forward most sensitive issues – the freedom of expression. bills, the procedure of debating bills and the approval of the Parlia- ment’s budget. IV. ELECTORAL CODE WAS IMPROVED One of the most important documents adopted by the Parlia- II. NEW LAW ON LOCAL PUBLIC ment during the spring-summer session was the law on amending ADMINISTRATION the Electoral Code under which local elections will be validated if In line with the provisions of the Calendar Programme, they are attended by at least 25 per cent of voters. Moldovan MPs also voted in the first reading a new law on the Previously, the requisite turnout was 33 per cent. local public administration. The document provides for a new The new law also cancels the tear-off coupon on ballot papers method of calculating the number of councillors, depending on and stipulates that the “voted” stamp will be no longer put on vot- the number of inhabitans of a certain village, town or city. ers’ IDs. The local councils will have the following key prerogatives: at The law also envisages that the Central Electoral Commission mayor’s proposal, they will appoint deputy mayors and approve and the Information Development Ministry will jointly draft a reg- mayoralty’s staff, the status and budget of the locality. The councils ister of voters which will include all eligible voters. The register will will also administer public assets and take decisions on using land be compiled based on the population record register. plots and creating local companies. The enactment of these amendments will significantly improve The document also stipulates when and why local councils the electoral process in Moldova.

Parliamentary Courier  Issue No. 2, August 2006 Interview Legislative reforms bring us closer to the European Union

Interview given to Parliamentary Courier by Moldovan Deputy Speaker Maria Postoico

How would you characterize the seriously approached the issue of ful- working climate in the Parliament filling its commitments towards the and its efficiency? Council of Europe. The Parliament The current Parliament has has assessed the state of things and showed great responsibility for the took specific actions to complete the fate of our state from the very begin- fulfilment of all these commitments. ning of its activities in March 2005. First of all, the Parliament ap- At the initiative of the Communist proved the Calendar Programme of Party, a Declaration on political part- legislative actions in accordance with nership was adopted at the very first the Resolution and Recommendations parliamentary session based on po- of the Commission on the Honouring litical consensus. This proved that the of Obligations and Commitments by parliamentary parties recognize the member states of the Council of Eu- political partnership as an absolute rope adopted by the PACE in Stras- priority of Moldova’s domestic and bourg on 4 October 2005. foreign policy, as well as the fact that, At present, the Parliament is for the first time ever since Moldova working hard to fulfil this Calendar became independent in 1991, they Programme and, in my opinion, much reached national consensus which has already been done. In particular, is necessary in order to implement most draft laws due to be examined democratic reforms, achieve Euro- help solve the major problems faced during the spring-summer session pean integration and solve the Tran- by the society today. At the same time, have already been submitted to the snistrian conflict. I would like to express my own point Parliament or even voted in the first In my opinion, the greatest of view given my work experience in reading. achievement of the current Parlia- the previous Parliaments. These bills focus on the function- ment is the constructive relationship To be honest, very important ing of the Parliament and the legal between the ruling Communist Party amendments to the legislation have system, local autonomy, radio and TV and the opposition when it comes to been adopted and this should have broadcasting, security services reform debating and adopting issues of key been done long ago. This fact, as well etc. All the assumed commitments importance for the country. I believe as the very responsible and profes- are being implemented and we hope that the working climate in the Parlia- sional approach to all issues included that they will be entirely fulfilled. ment which, in my opinion, is rather in the Parliament’s working agenda, You have been one of the authors constructive is a result of this situa- allow me to say that the Parliament is of the legal reform. What is now the tion. highly efficient. situation in this area? The fact that MPs have various Mrs. Postoico, you are heading In accordance with a message sent opinions on different issues and the the Moldovan delegation to the Par- by President Vladimir Voronin to existence of heated debates is some- liamentary Assembly of the Council the Parliament, aimed at overcom- thing absolutely normal for a demo- of Europe (PACE). Could you please ing drawbacks in the legal system, cratic parliament. tell us which commitments under- and based on the decision No 445- As regards Parliament’s efficiency, taken by Moldova while joining the XV from 7 November 2003, a special I think that it could be better assessed Council in 1995 have not yet been Working Group has been set up. It by our voters, whom we represent and fulfilled and what is the Parliament was charged with drafting proposals who expect that we, deputies, adopt doing to meet them? aimed at improving the legislation and good laws and decisions which would The current Parliament has very the normative framework in order to

 Parliamentary Courier Issue No. 2, August 2006 Interview

tain practice In their conclusions, Council of in applying the Europe experts said that the new new legislation, Law on Prosecution shows that the we will consider Moldovan authorities took into con- the possibility sideration most recommendations of establishing a put forward by the Committee of legal inspection. Ministers of the Council of Europe, In my opinion, as well as objections and information the legal inspec- revealed at a round table attended by tion will have to European experts. check how legal As regards the prosecution, the decisions are be- process of improving the legislative ing implement- framework continues because the ed, to examine reality requires this. I would like to petitions on legal underline that the status of the pros- ethics and its vi- ecution differs from state to state. In olation by judges some states, the prosecution is subor- sent to the Su- dinated to the executive power, while preme Council in others it is part of the legal system. of Magistrates, For instance, in Lithuania, which is ensure an efficient and qualitative le- to check if the Prosecutor General an EU member, the prosecution has gal system. The activities of the Work- gave his consent to initiate criminal the same status as in Moldova. Only ing Group focused on the following investigation, to inspect cases when now, the Lithuanian authorities are important aspects: transparency of judges are being brought to justice, as considering the possibility of reform- the legal system, fighting corruption well as to solve many other complains ing it. and increasing responsibility of deci- about activities of judges and even Therefore, we should examine the sion makers in the legal system. prosecutors. Such a system is being requirements set by the EU towards In order to reform the legal sys- successfully implemented in France its member states, as this could help tem, new bills have been drafted in and Portugal. We can take over the us implement the legislation in effect line with Council of Europe require- experience of these countries, espe- and establish what amendments to ments. cially given our aspiration to join the the prosecutor’s status are needed. At present, there is a bill on the EU. To what extent can the reforms Parliament’s agenda which includes At what stage is the reform of the you have just spoken about influ- proposals put forward by the special prosecution system? ence Moldova’s European integra- Working Group, focusing on amend- While joining the Council of Eu- tion process? ments to the legislation on function- rope 11 years ago, Moldova com- Many reforms which are currently ing of the legal system. The said draft mitted itself to amending the role underway in Moldova, in particular law was developed based on recom- and functions of the prosecution in those mentioned by me above, are mendations by experts of the Council order to turn it into an institution part of the commitments undertaken of Europe and it comprises a number which will meet the requirements of a by Moldova while joining the Council of innovations aimed at providing the state based on the rule of law and the of Europe or signing the Moldova-EU transparency of the legal system and Council of Europe norms. Action Plan. Undoubtedly, these re- increasing judges’ responsibility. The first step was made in 2000 forms bring us closer to integration What should be done in order to when the Parliament amended Arti- into the European Union, because all ensure a good functioning of the le- cle 124 of the Moldovan Constitution Council of Europe assessments and gal system? regulating prosecution’s structure and experts’ proposals included in the na- In my opinion, the legislation prerogatives. tional legislation are a positive stamp in effect, including the provisions I Under these amendments, the which is also recognized by the Euro- have just spoken about, should be prosecution is not entitled any more pean Union. I would like to say that observed. In particular, it is neces- to carry out general supervision, the Council of Europe and the EU sary that the National Legal Institute which means that prosecutor’s pow- have a joint programme on promot- begins its activities and that courts ers have been significantly reduced. ing democracy and fundamental hu- be provided with all the necessary Prosecutor’s powers were also limited man rights and freedoms in Europe. logistics and financing. Many courts following the adoption of the new Pe- Therefore, all the efforts that we un- do not have adequate session halls, a nal Code and Civil Code in 2003. On dertake today in order to reform the fact which affects to a certain extent 14 March 2003, the Parliament adopt- legislation will bring us closer to the the making of justice. It is necessary ed a new Law on Prosecution, under European Union and will give us a to pay proper salaries to judges and to which prosecutors can exercise their real chance of joining this structure. give them social guarantees. prerogatives only within penal, civil In the future, when we have cer- or administrative procedures. (24.07.2006)

Parliamentary Courier  Issue No. 2, August 2006 Parlamentary tribune The Moldovan Parliament statement on the intention of the administration in Tiraspol to conduct an illegal referendum to separate country’s territory

he Moldovan Parliament is expressing deep Tiraspol, supported by some influential politicians concern over the intention of the illegal admin- in Moscow, has felt that its position has been sig- istration in Tiraspol to conduct a referendum in nificantly shaken as it is interested only in destabi- T September 2006, which would give the appear- lization of the situation, escalation of tension and ance of legal separation of Moldova’s eastern region hindering the creation of a democratic climate aimed from state’s national territory. This action imposed at solving the conflict and restoring the unity of the on the population of the region by an illegal and anti- Moldovan people. democratic regime openly defies the Moldovan Con- The Moldovan Parliament expresses its conviction stitution, which says that the territory of the country that the Transnistrian conflict can be finally solved is inalienable, as well as international legal norms. only through correct and constructive negotiations, The referendum also seriously violates the funda- as a result of complete democratization of the region, mental human rights and freedoms and it pursues based on some reasonable compromises and interna- the goal of imposing a sham democratic procedure tionally recognized legal norms. by force. Precisely these objectives are the basis of the The moment chosen by the leaders of the break- proposals put forward by the Ukrainian leadership away Transnistrian region to call the referendum is last year, subsequently developed in the Moldovan considered to be opportune given Tiraspol’s block- law on the main principles of the Transnistrian re- ade of the negotiating process and its refusal at ac- gion’s status, under which the Transnistrian region is cept an open and constructive dialogue that aims at to be granted the largest degree of autonomy within achieving an equitable and durable settlement of the Moldova. The law was unanimously adopted by the conflict, as well as given the situation when the mon- Moldovan Parliament on 22 July 2005. itoring of the Transnistrian section of the Moldovan- Undoubtedly, a positive role should be played Ukrainian border, jointly with the European Union, here by the international community’s support for has begun to yield positive results, this leading to a Moldova’s firm course towards reunification of the significant decrease in illegal trade. two banks of the Dniester river, international inte- It becomes obvious that the separatist regime in gration and permanent neutrality, which is stipulated in the Constitution. The Moldovan Parliament recon- firms its position to positively con- tribute to a peaceful reunification of the country and its people. It welcomes the choice of all political forces, businessmen, civil society and simple citizens from both banks of the Dniester river to join their ef- forts in order to solve the conflict. The Parliament underlines that the whole responsibility for this dirty game started by the Tiraspol leaders falls on them, while the so-called referendum cannot have legal con- sequences and can neither be recog- nized by the international commu- nity.

Chisinau, 28 July 2006

 Parliamentary Courier Issue No. 2, August 2006 Parliamentary ties PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY – A NEW INSTRUMENT FOR PROMOTING COUNTRY’S INTERESTS In late May 2005, the Estonian capital, Tallinn, hosted a support of the EU member states in the process of bringing two-day European Conference of Chairmen of Parliaments, the national legislation into line with European standards. which was also attended by Moldovan Parliament Speaker Parliamentary diplomacy is different from the classical Marian Lupu. one, which is the task of the Foreign Policy Institutions. As At the forum, Lupu delivered a speech which focused on Marian Lupu said in his speech in Tallinn, deputies are not parliamentary diplomacy. Like in most East-European coun- obliged to confine to some strict limits of the diplomatic tries, in Moldova, parliamentary diplomacy is a new prac- right. “Thus, where the government diplomacy is not capable tice. Nevertheless, the authorities are paying much attention of functioning, the parliamentary diplomacy is efficient and to it. necessary in the light of its simplicity,” Lupu said. At he same In Moldova, the rapid development of the parliamen- time, the Moldovan Speaker underlined that parliamentary tary diplomacy concept pursues the goal of contributing to diplomacy coexists with classical diplomacy, adding that Moldova’s European integration, including by attracting the they should supplement one another rather than compete. VISIT TO CROATIA WAS VERY FRUITFUL

A delegation of the Moldovan Parliament paid a working In the course of the visit, we studied the experience visit to Zagreb in late May 2006 at the invitation of Croatian of a state which is one step ahead of us when it comes to lawmakers. The Moldovan MPs have described the visit as European integration and which has a very interesting very productive and efficient and said that it will be followed and useful experience in this area, in particular in ad- by a visit of Croatian MPs to Moldova this autumn. justing domestic legislation to the EU acquis. Vladimir Turcan, the chairman of the parliamen- We found our meetings with the members of the par- tary committee for legal issues, appointments and immu- liamentary committee for agriculture, who briefed us nity: During the visit to Croatia, the Moldovan delegation about how they managed to find a balance between the had meetings with the Croatian Parliament Speaker, as well interests of domestic farmers and the European market’s as with heads and members of the parliamentary commit- requirements, very interesting and productive. tees for legal issues, European integration, foreign relations, During the visit, we also had the opportunity to ex- agriculture and social problems. amine some aspects of the Rules and Procedures of the Croatian Parliament. This happened exactly before the Moldovan Parliament adopted some important amend- ments to our Rules and Procedures. We have taken up some ideas from our Croatian colleagues, in particular about how to maintain discipline in the session hall. As a result, we have introduced in the Rules and Pro- cedures of the Moldovan Parliament a clause which stip- ulates that officers of the State Guard Service will take care that discipline is observed in the session hall, even when small conflicts come up. We are glad that our Croatian colleagues will visit Moldova this autumn in order to study our experience and methods of work. During our visit to Zagreb, they showed great interest in our methods and practices. For sure, the exchange of experience will be useful for both sides.

Parliamentary Courier  Issue No. 2, August 2006 Parliamentary ties MOLDOVA AND CHINA: PARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS BECOME PRIORITY Political relations between the Republic of Moldova and People’s Republic of China have advanced to a new stage over the last few years, while parliamentary ties have played a sig- nificant role in their development. An eloquent example in this regard is the visit to Moldova of China’s National People’s Congress Chairman Wu Bang- guo in May 2006. In an interview given ahead of Wu Bangguo’s visit to Chisi- nau, Moldovan Parliament Speaker Marian Lupu said that the top Chinese legislator’s visit to Moldova speaks about the pri- ority nature of the relations between the two states. „Incon- testably, the fact that the parliamentary aspect is becoming a key element of our cooperation with China is very important. The desire of the top Chinese lawmaker to visit Moldova, for the first time ever since our republic became independent in is to receive telecommunication equipment manufactured by 1991, is an eloquent proof,” the Moldovan Parliament Speaker the ZTE company free of charge. added. The Chinese delegation also donated their Moldovan col- The priority nature of cooperation at the parliamentary leagues a large batch of office equipment, which included two level and the need to deepen it was one of the key issues dis- liquid crystal television sets and 32 computers, including 18 cussed during the one-hour meeting between the Moldovan laptops. and Chinese top lawmakers, as well as during negotiations at At the end of his visit to the Moldovan Parliament, Wu the level of parliamentary groups. Bangguo wrote down in the Book of Honourable Guests of This part of the visit, whose agenda had been drafted for the Parliament and received a present from his Moldovan col- two months and which can be described as the “busiest” agen- leagues – a grapevine planted into a handcarved elm vase. da in Moldova’s new history, ended with the signing of three Apart from meetings with Moldova’s top officials, the documents: an agreement on economic assistance, under agenda of Wu Bangguo’s visit also included sightseeing in which Moldova will receive 10 million yuans (800,000 US dol- Chisinau and a visit to Moldova’s famous wine cellar in lars) for the implementation of social programmes, an agree- Milestii Mici. ment on strategic partnership between the state-run com- Finally, Wu Bangguo invited Marian Lupu to visit China. pany Moldtelecom and the Chinese private company Huawei The Moldovan Speaker accepted the invitation with pleas- Technologies and an agreement under which Moldtelecom ure. COOPERATION BETWEEN BUSINESS AND PARLIAMENT TO BECOME MORE EFFICIENT

This summer, the International Association of Busi- relations are not correctly regulated, then they risk be- ness and Parliament (IABP), has launched a national ing affected by corruption. mechanism on cooperation between business and Par- * Bruce George: Corruption exists in all countries, liament. The goal of this mechanism is to establish cor- regardless of how democratic they are. Nobody is per- rect relations between the Parliament and business. fect. Even in the EU there is corruption at the level of the So far, such mechanisms have been implemented in 20 Government and the Parliament. However, the corrup- developing states, including Georgia, Ukraine and Ro- tion level is much higher in South-East Europe. Moldova mania. makes no exception in this respect. IABP-Moldova will On the occasion of launching this mechanism in consult deputies on their relations with the business Moldova, the honorary OSCE Parliamentary Assembly community and on what to do in order to have correct chairman and the IABP chairman, Bruce George, has relations with business and exclude corruption. visited Chisinau. Bruce George has been a British MP We shall invite Moldovan deputies to Great Britain to for 33 years. In his opinion, in any Parliament deputies get acquainted with our experience in the field. We want have direct or indirect ties with business, and if these Moldova to become a truly democratic state, with no cor-

10 Parliamentary Courier Issue No. 2, August 2006 Parliamentary ties ruption at any level. The British MP gave his Moldovan colleagues a book entitled “Ten steps towards a trans- parent Parliament”, which contains rules on regulating deputies’ extra-parliamentary business interests. During his visit to Chisinau, Bruce George had a meet- ing with Moldovan Parliament Speaker Marian Lupu. At the meeting, Lupu said that the Parliament is paying spe- cific attention to establishing a permanent and efficient cooperation between deputies and the civil society. “In the process of cooperation with the civil society, there are also some difficulties, given the lack of experi- ence of both sides. However, this cooperation has also the local public administration. We advocate the estab- led to very good results in areas of major importance for lishment of an open cooperation mechanism between the Moldova, such as electoral legislation, mass media and Parliament and the business community,” Lupu said. COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO HELP MOLDOVA INTEGRATE INTO EU The chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the ing that “this will contribute to solving the Transnistrian Council of Europe (PACE), Rene van der Linden, paid conflict”. a two-day official visit to Moldova at the end of July. In “The PACE advocates a quick settlement of the Transnistri- Chisinau, he had meetings with President Vladimir Vo- an conflict. We believe that the settlement of this problem will ronin, Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev, Parliament Speaker allow creating a zone of stability and security here and building Marian Lupu and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign and a flourishing and stable Moldova which will deserve to join the European Integration Minister Andrei Stratan, leaders of large family of European nations,” Rene van der Linden said. political parties and heads of religious confessions. Speaking at a news conference in Chisinau at the end of his Rene van der Linden also delivered a speech in the visit, Rene van der Linden admitted that Moldova has achieved Moldovan Parliament during which he spoke in favour some progress in fulfiling its commitments in 2005. of a “quick settlement of the conflict with the breakaway “The implementation of the adopted laws is much more Transnistrian region within a territorially integral Moldo- important. That is why, we promised the Moldovan Parlia- va” and “based on generally accepted European values”. ment that the PACE will become much more active when it The European official called on Moldovan MPs to comes to providing assistance in monitoring the implementa- closely observe Council of Europe standards, underlin- tion of the adopted laws,” the PACE Chairman said. MOLDOVA HAS GOOD CHANCE OF JOINING EU Recently, the Republic of Moldova was visited ropean Union. “This is not the best time to speak by Marianne Mikko, an Estonian MP and head about EU enlargement, as there are problems even of a delegation of the European Parliament. At within the EU. For instance, the situation around the end of her visit to Chisinau, Marianne Mikko the adoption of the EU Constitution is quite un- gave a news conference during which she said certain,” she said. that “the tempo of implementation of legislative However, she said that Moldova’s chances reforms is quite fast in Moldova”. She considers of joining the EU depend on Moldova itself. “If that in the Republic of Moldova good laws are be- Moldova meets the EU integration criteria at 101%, ing drafted. At the same time, Marianne Mikko then nobody will have the right to oppose Moldo- said that Moldova has not yet carried out all the va’s entry into this organization. The Republic of assumed commitments, but expressed hope that Moldova is situated in Europe and it has the right this will be done following the implementation of to ask to be accepted into the EU. Therefore, noth- the Moldova-EU Action Plan. ing remains but to wish Moldova success in this The chairwoman of the European Parliament regard,” the European official said. delegation expressed confidence that the Repub- Marianne Mikko also said that the European lic of Moldova has good chance of joining the Eu- Union is ready to support Moldova on this path.

Parliamentary Courier 11 Issue No. 2, August 2006 Parliamentary factions life “WE TRIED TO MEET VOTERS’ EXPECTATIONS”

During the third session of the Parlia- While during the two parliamentary ment of the 16th convocation, the Com- sessions in 2005 our deputies submitted munist deputies based their activities on 48 draft laws, then during the 2006 spring- Eugenia the electoral platform of the Communist summer session alone they put forward 34 Party and the Moldova-EU Action Plan. legislative initiatives, most of which have Ostapciuc, In our opinion, these two documents, already been adopted, while others are un- chairwoman of the on which the Government programme is der examination. parliamentary fac- also based, are fully meeting the expecta- The results of our activities have con- tion of the Commu- tions of our voters and their aspiration for tributed to achieving growth in the indus- nist Party a better life in a rapidly developing inte- trial output, agriculture and other branch- gral state. es of the national economy. They have also During the spring-summer session, helped solving a number of social prob- one of our priorities was to further ensure lems, in particular to increase salaries for the political stability achieved during the budget employees, pensions and scholar- first year of activities of the current Par- ships. liament. This stability creates a normal We perfectly realize that, in some cases, working atmosphere, it allows the main the newly-adopted laws will have a tempo- parliamentary factions to cooperate and rary negative impact on certain people. is a condition for stability in the whole Here, I refer to the amendments to the law society. on education, the law on entrepreneurial Like most MPs, the Communist depu- licence, the law on registration of animals. ties concentrated their efforts on the elabo- However, in a long-term perspective, these ration and adoption of legislative acts in laws will contribute to registering an eco- accordance with the calendar programme nomic growth, improving the education for 2005-2009, the goal of which is to system, living standards and sanitary se- bring the national legislation in line with curity. European standards. The Communist Finally, I would like to say that during deputies worked in all the parliamentary the spring-summer session, the Commu- working groups established for drafting nist faction has done its utmost to meet laws in accordance with this programme voters expectations and to reach our fi- and contributed to their adoption by the nal goal – to significantly improve living deadlines. standards in Moldova.

“SPRING-SUMMER SESSION HAD BOTH PLUSES AND MINUSES”

The parliamentary session which has just These laws have had a beneficial influence ended has had both pluses and minuses. Dur- on the economic and social situation in the ing this session, deputies managed to adopt a country. number of long-expected economic laws, most However, some unpleasant situations were Dumitru DIACOV, of which are included in the Moldova-EU Ac- also noticed during this parliamentary session. chairman of the tion Plan or are among the commitments un- I refer here to the end of the session, which was parliamentary dertaken by Moldova towards the Council of simply flooded with badly-drafted bills which faction of the Europe. led to superficial debates in parliamentary com- Democratic Party

12 Parliamentary Courier Issue No. 2, August 2006 Parliamentary factions life mittees and in the Parliament. These bills, referring to supported by the parliamentary majority, although its changes in taxes, excises and conditions for economic adoption would have helped unblocking the situation activities, are rather important for the country and they in the education system. should have been thoroughly examined. We wonder why the project was not accepted. Did it Of course, the opposition tried to stop this process, happen because it was submitted by the opposition? Un- but, unfortunately, the majority faction insisted on their fortunately, the situation when opposition’s good ideas adoption. are shelved for two to three weeks, after which a simi- In fact, such situations are normal for a parliament lar project, but this time drafted by the Government, is in which there is a clear majority and which assumes included on the agenda, is still common practice in the responsibility for the adopted laws, and an opposition Moldovan Parliament. We are dissatisfied with such an which is trying to work and put forward ideas and ini- approach, which has a negative impact on the coopera- tiatives, although it does not always manage to achieve tion between various parliamentary factions. great results. The Democratic Party is preparing a number of During this session, the Democratic Party fac- bills for the autumn session and we believe that they tion put forward 30 bills. In late July, the Parliament will have resonance in the society. Undoubtedly, this witnessed heated debates around a bill on activities will be a difficult autumn from the social and economic of education institutions, put forward by Democratic viewpoints, but an interesting and active one from the Party MP Dumitru Ivanov. Unfortunately, it was not political standpoint. “EACH WAR ENDS WITH PEACE SOONER OR LATER”

The political cooperation agreement nine proposals have been almost ful- reached by the ruling party and the filled, now we have to concentrate on PPCD in March 2005 has had a positive the prosecution reform in order to bring effect in the society and it was reached this institution in line with European Vlad given the strong need to defend Moldo- norms and practices. Of course, this is Cubreacov, va’s national interests, which have been a wide-ranging reform and we have the chairman of seriously affected by the political, mili- obligation to continue it in all areas. the parliamen- tary and economic pressure of Russia During the spring-summer session, which, unfortunately, is not showing the PPCD deputies have taken active tary faction of the enough flexibility and respect in its re- part in debating the most important law Christian Demo- lations with our country. of the year – the law on the state budget. cratic Popular I would like to underline the con- We came up with a number of proposals Party (PPCD) sensus that we have managed to reach and amendments aimed at improving on the settlement of the Transnistrian this law. In particular, we proposed that conflict. The Parliament has recently expenditures which are less necessary showed solidarity while adopting a be reduced and that the money be given statement condemning the intention of to people and communities around the the illegal regime in Tiraspol to organ- country which really need it. ize a so-called independence referen- However, the Government and the dum. Parliamentary majority rejected our Summing up Parliament’s achieve- reasonable economic and financial pro- ments, we are pleased to say that 9 out posals and, as a result, hundreds of rural of the 10 proposals agreed in March- settlements which have sent requests to April 2005 (in exchange for the PPCD’s the Parliament have been neglected. vote for President Vladimir Voronin’s I would like also to refer to the lack re-election – Parliamentary Courier) of results in efficient fight against cor- have already been fulfilled. ruption in state structures, the judici- The amendments voted to the law on ary included. In the autumn, the Par- the local public administration are part liament should pay specific attention to of the 10 proposals put forward by us, the reform of the prosecution and to the as well as of the calendar plan adopted situation in the Interior Ministry. Tor- by the Parliament. Given the fact that ture and inhuman treatment, beating to

Parliamentary Courier 13 Issue No. 2, August 2006 Parliamentary factions life

death included, have become common practice identity with the ethnic one. In present-day Eu- in this institution, whose employees are some- rope, self-determination is an inalienable part times real murderers and criminals with ter- of fundamental human rights and freedoms. I rifying habits rather than people in charge of hope that the next session will be productive enforcing the law. and it will meet the expectations of our voters It is time to put an end to the useless talk when it comes to solving the most painful is- about identity and to conciliate our political sues. “STATE OF THINGS IN PARLIA- MENT REMAINED UNCHANGED, UNFORTUNATELY ” At the end of the spring-summer ses- shelved for months, contrary to the legisla- sion, the Moldovan Parliament should have tion in effect. There is also a discriminatory worked better, it should have showed more attitude towards the parliamentary com- maturity and should have had fewer draw- mittees headed by non-Communist depu- Veaceslav backs in its activities compared with the ties. As a result, these committees do not Untila, deputy previous sessions. The Parliament should work at their maximum capacity. chairman of the have also improved the mechanism of The Communists are interested neither parliamentary adopting laws and the quality of the legisla- in party democracy nor in democracy in the tive act. society. At the same time, Moldova is the faction of Our Unfortunately, the state of things in the only European country which has not yet Moldova Alliance Parliament has remained unchanged: the adopted a law on financing political parties. voting machine is working on orders by the It means that all our talk about adjusting ruling majority, taking into consideration national legislation to European standards only its interests or those of some clans is useless. and groups of influence. As a result, some During the spring-summer session, we laws are approved depending on the sig- have repeatedly had the opportunity to see nificance that the majority Communist fac- Communists’ genuine attitude towards Eu- tion attaches to them rather than on their ropean integration. significance for the country. For instance, I will cite here only several examples: the Communist faction can allow itself to Communist faction’s refusal to sign a state- drag on or avoid discussing in the Parlia- ment on the occasion of Europe Day to- ment acute problems by virtue of reasons gether with the opposition, the insistence known only by it. This is how the Commu- with which the project on reconstruction nist parliamentarians understand fulfilling of the Military Glory Memorial was pro- their majority right. moted, the refusal to condemn totalitarian We like to speak passionately about Communist regimes following the PACE’s European integration and about the rapid example and the refusal to support the tempo with which we are fulfilling our com- opposition initiative on forbidding Lenin mitments towards the Council of Europe. monuments and Communist symbols in In reality, the situation concerning the pro- Moldova. This happened during the parlia- tection of human rights is beyond criticism mentary session which has just ended and in Moldova. they are real facts, not inventions by the How can we speak about creating con- opposition. ditions for observing human rights, if the As a matter of fact, we draw the at- Communist majority has no political will to tention to the authorities’ drawbacks not oblige its ministers to speak the state lan- for the sake of criticizing the power. Our guage? Moldova Alliance calls a spade a spade and The parliamentary majority has con- the authorities do not like this. The truth is tinued to regularly violate the rights of the the weapon with which the opposition can opposition. As it is well known, the draft defend its fortress and Our Moldova Alli- laws developed by the opposition are being ance will further use it.

14 Parliamentary Courier Issue No. 2, August 2006 Parliamentary factions life Parliamentary factions life

Deputy’s opinion “THERE IS COOPERATION BETWEEN FACTIONS”

The spring-summer session was longer great interest for ordinary citizens or has done than the previous ones. At the same time, we it only formally. managed to discuss many important issues. I am speaking here about the 50-percent I am glad that, in some areas, there is coop- increase in the gas price for household consum- Dumitru BRAGHIS, eration between all the Parliamentary factions. ers. Although the issue has been discussed in the independent MP Undoubtedly, this helps improving the Parlia- Parliament twice, the talks were a mere formality. mentary activities in general. At the same time, We have also failed to discuss the situation in the it should be said that most decisions continue agriculture and to see what is happening in this to be adopted based on the political interest of area and what should be done for improvement. the ruling faction rather than on the national Unfortunately, deputies rejected the proposal to interest. discuss the activities of the anti-hail service. As a Unfortunately, the number of laws and result of the unsatisfactory state of things in this statements adopted through consensus by all area, the losses inflicted on various companies the Parliamentary factions is very small. Such reach 100 million lei. There are many other is- a situation can lead to a further split in the so- sues which need to be urgently examined. ciety, given the fact that Parliament’s activities Finally, I would like to mention the ruling have become much more transparent and the party’s reluctance to show the real situation in public has more opportunities to thoroughly the country and its attempts to permanently analyse our activities. polish up the country’s image. As a result, the I regret that the Parliament has not suc- Republic of Moldova as a country does nothing ceeded to examine a large number of issues of but lose.

Deputy’s opinion “A RELATIVELY SUCCESSFUL SESSION”

Deputies have worked intensively during We regret the fact that several bills draft- the spring-summer session, in particular dur- ed by the Social Liberal deputies were not in- ing the last few weeks, when four parliamen- cluded on the agenda of the spring-summer tary sessions per week were held. This speaks session, while some of those included were about a bad organization of Parliament’s later rejected. activities. In my opinion, this was also the Generally speaking, I consider that this Oleg SEREBRIAN, mistake of authors of draft laws, who had to session was one of relative success. The po- independent MP organize their activities in such a way that the litical forces have showed unity in issues of Parliament manages to examine all the bills. great importance, especially with reference to During this session, we discussed impor- the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict. tant issues related to the local public admin- We plan to put forward many new bills at istration. the autumn session of the Parliament. Some However, the Social Liberal Party was dis- of them are already known, while others will appointed that the talks on a number of very be unveiled later. As an example, I could give important issues (like the 10 clauses adopted the draft law on Moldova’s withdrawal from on 4 April 2005) have been delayed again. I the CIS and several amendments to the Elec- consider that the new radio and TV broad- toral Code and the Constitution. However, casting code and some draft laws on the local the most important draft law that we intend autonomy need a thorough examination. to submit refers to the diplomatic service.

Parliamentary Courier 15 Issue No. 2, August 2006 Event A step forward in solving Transnistrian problem

One of the most serious drawbacks of the process of settlement of the Transnistrian conflict is the fact that over the last 14 years nobody has assessed the conflict from the point of view of international law. However, it seems that the problem has been at least partly solved recently. At the initiative of Parliament Speaker Marian Lupu, Chisinau has recently hosted an internati- onal conference at which two US experts - Christopher J. Borgen, Professor of Law at St. John’s University School of Law, and Mark A. Meyer, chairman of the New York City Bar Association Committee on European Affairs - presented a report “Thawing a frozen conflict: Legal aspects of the separatist crisis in Moldova”.

The “crucial question” raised by the tmr”. “Although Ukraine authors of the report is – does the self- has acted in many ways as proclaimed transnistrian moldovan re- a counterbalance to Rus- public (tmr) have the right to autonomy sian influence in Tran- within Moldova or to secession? The snistria, its attentions answer given by the authors of the re- have often been viewed port is: “There is no obligation to rec- by Moldovans with a ognize the tmr, even if it does have ef- mixture of hope and sus- fective control of territory. Rather, it picions,” the report adds. is likely that the forcible acquisition of The authors of the re- territory, the ongoing objections by the port believe that “a nego- pre-existing state, Moldova, and the evi- tiated reintegration proc- dent reliance of the tmr on the military, ess for Transnistria might economic and political support from also serve as a template for the reinte- significantly to finding a real solution to Russia for its survival argue against rec- gration of South Ossetia and Georgia into the conflict,” Lupu said. ognition and for nonrecognition in this a sovereign Georgia”. Speaker Marian Lupu believes that the case.” Speaking at the same conference, Transnistrian region can be really democ- According to the report, Transnistria Moldovan Parliament Speaker Marian ratized only after Russian troops withdraw today is a de facto regime. At the same Lupu said that “although the settlement from Moldova, in accordance with the time, its authors underlined that in Tran- of the Transnistrian conflict is seen as a decisions of the 1999 OSCE summit in Is- snistria’s case the de facto regime “can be necessary prerequisite for European inte- tanbul, the region is demilitarized and its regarded as similar to control exercised gration, it is first of all a moral obligation structures suppressing democratic values by a force of occupation”. towards country’s citizens and it should are removed. The US researchers believe that the be an example of wisdom and verticality Moldovan Reintegration Minister Va- Russian 14th Army not only played a in our desire to reintegrate the country sile Sova has told the same conference that decisive role in the 1992 conflict, but it and build up a democratic society”. “the internationalization of the Transnistri- also “props up the viability of the tmr and The Speaker said that local conflicts an conflict and Moldova’s determination to makes reintegration more difficult. “Be- have started provoking a great deal of solve it will help in finding a final solution sides the use of the army to either ham- international resonance, therefore the to the conflict”. According to him, Moldova per the Moldovans or assist the tmr, the Transnistrian conflict is not only Moldo- could become the first state in the former second main issue is that Russia has also va’s problem but it also jeopardizes Eu- Soviet Union area to resolve a frozen con- used economic pressure and economic ropean security because it encourages flict. assistance as a carrot and stick,” the re- crossborder organized crime, smuggling He gave a high appreciation to the re- port says. and trafficking in human beings, arma- port written by the US experts. “This is a Touching upon Ukraine’s position, ment and drugs. very important event given the fact that the the report says that although Kiev “has “I believe that the political partnership Transnistrian conflict has been thoroughly been critical of Transnistrian separatism achieved after the last parliamentary elec- analysed from the point of view of interna- and has advocated the complete with- tions in March 2005 and directed towards tional law for the first time ever,” Sova said. drawal of Russian troops, it has also been Moldova’s European integration and the Now we have to hope that the report perceived (rightly or wrongly) as allow- settlement of the Transnistrian conflict, and the international conference will have ing smuggling through its territory and as well as the EU getting closer to Moldo- a positive influence on the settlement of the possibly being open to relations with the va’s borders, have started contributing Transnistrian conflict.

16 Parliamentary Courier Issue No. 2, August 2006 Event Commentary WILL THE SITUATION IMPROVE AFTER NEW RADIO AND TV BROADCASTING CODE IS IMPLEMENTED?

t is not a secret that the broadcasting has in the Parliament. issue has always caused heated de- In the first reading, the bates both in the Parliament and in document also stipu- Ithe society. Over the last few years, lated that the admin- many attempts have been made to change istration council of the the situation for the better, including with Teleradio-Moldova the Council of Europe’s support. Thus, company had to be lots of draft laws on the activities of the disbanded and its pre- public Teleradio-Moldova company have rogatives had to be been discussed and some of them were taken over by the Au- even approved. However, the problem dio Visual Council. continued to cause tension and soon it In accordance with became clear that radical amendments the amednments vot- were required. ed in the second read- And if the previous Parliament had ing, the Audio Visual not risked following this path, then the Council will consist of current Parliament has showed great nine members appointed by the Parlia- one should admit that some of the clauses courage and decided to launch reforms in ment. The members will be selected by voted by deputies in the second reading this very sensitive area. the parliamentary committee for educa- cannot be described as a tremendous suc- From the very beginning, it should be tion, youth, sports and media based on cess. Of course, they cannot be viewed as said that three out of the four parliamen- proposals submitted by public organiza- a failure either. It would be more correct tary factions involved in the elaboration tions, funds, trade unions, employers un- to say that these clauses raise concern of the new Radio and TV broadcasting ions and religious confessions. about the way they will be implemented, Code have reached a consensus. Thus, Candidates must have higher educa- given the fact that they are absolutely new the document was drafted by a group tion and at least five years’ experience in for the Republic of Moldova. of deputies from the Communist Party, TV, radio, finance, accounting or enter- We can cite here the Code provisions the Democratic Party and the Christian prise management. according to which the local public ra- Democratic Popular Party. Our Moldova The Council members will be ap- dio and TV channels will be the territo- Alliance had a separate opinion. In par- pointed for six years. However, in the rial structures of the Teleradio-Moldova ticular, it did not agree with a number first Audio Visual Council, which is to company rather than separate institu- of provisions of the document and com- be elected in the near future, only three tions. The document also says that the plained that the bill had not been consult- members will be appointed for six years. local public radio and TV channels will ed with the civil society. Three members will be appointed for have a regional status in the Gagauz au- Although the three factions had four years and the remaining three for tonomy in Southern Moldova, as well as enough votes in order to approve the two years. in Moldova’s breakaway Transnistrian Code, they did not hurry to do so and If during the debates in the first read- region after the conflict is solved. These showed great flexibility. ing, deputies agreed that the Teleradio- clauses have already been bitterly criti- Thus, the Radio and TV broadcasting Moldova company will be administered cized by some opposition MPs and rep- Code voted in the second reading notice- by an Executive Committee, the chair- resentatives of the municipal media. Even ably differs from that one adopted in the man of the company and the directors some members of the working group, first reading. We will cite only several ex- of the radio and television, then in the which has drafted the bill and prepared it amples below. second reading they decided that this for the second reading, have recognized In accordance with the Code voted in function will be exercised by a Supervi- that they have reserves towards the suc- the first reading, the Audio Visual Coun- sory Board. The latter will include public cessful implementation of these clauses. cil (a media watchdog) had to include figures having professional training in At the same time, they drew attention nine members, who had to be appointed culture, art, cinematography, journalism, to the fact that similar situations are faced by the Parliament at the proposal of the law or financial management. by many other European states where the relevant parliamentary committee. For Although every provision of the Code public broadcasting is operating quite its part, the committee had to nominate has been meticulously examined and de- efficiently. This makes us hope that no the candidates taking into consideration bated, taking into consideration lots of problems will appear in the Republic of the number of seats that every faction reasons and the real situation in this area, Moldova eiher.

Parliamentary Courier 17 Issue No. 2, August 2006 Legal framework

MOLDOVAN PARLIAMENT OUT- a law in the final LAWS DEATH PENALTY reading waiving visa requirements for the citizens of the The Republic of EU, the USA, Cana- Moldova has made an da, Switzerland and important step forward Japan begining with when it comes to bring- 1 January 2007. The ing its legislation in line document was sup- with European stand- ported by 90 out of ards. The Parliament 101 deputies. It is not a secret that through this has recently voted two document the authorities wanted to show that draft laws which delete Moldova is open for citizens of the developed from the Constitution countries. a clause providing for During discussions in the parliamentary com- death penalty in excep- mittee for national security, defence and pub- tional cases. lic order, deputies examined MP Petru Gozun’s The first draft law proposal to include EU candidates Romania and was elaborated by the Bulgaria, as well as Israel and Norway, in the list Government and the of countries whose citizens do not need visas to second by 44 deputies visit Moldova. from all parliamentary factions. However, deputies decided that the law will Moldova has previously abolished death pen- apply to Romania and Bulgaria once they join alty, a fact which allowed it to join the Coun- the EU, while, bilateral agreements with Norway cil of Europe in 1995. However, at that time, and Israel can be negotiated, at a later stage, if the Parliament left a possibility for using death need would be. penalty - for wartime crimes and crimes com- Following the adoption of this important law mitted in pre-war time. for Moldova’s European future, the Government The Moldova-EU Action Plan stipulates that will have to amend a number of normative acts Moldova should ratify protocol No 13 of the in order to bring them into line with the above European Convention on Human Rights and law. protocol No 2 of the 1966 International pact on civil and political rights. Both documents DEPUTIES VOTE AGAINST DROP- provide for complete abolition of death penalty and MPs took this argument into consideration PING ANONYMOUS LETTERS when examining and adopting the two draft laws. The legislative in- At the same time, deputies said that death itiative under which penalty should be completely abolished not only state structures due to Moldova’s international commitments, should examine only but also because the right to life “is a natural petitions signed by right and nobody can be deprived of it”. citizens or compa- Another reason advanced by deputies was nies and ignore the that death penalty has already been abolished anonymous ones in most developed countries. has caused heated Undoubtedly, the abolition of death penalty discussions in the will improve Moldova’s image abroad and will Parliament recently. prove Chisinau’s credibility when it comes to The draft law was its pro-European statements. elaborated by a group of Christian Democratic Popular Party (PPCD) deputies who believe that MOLDOVA WAIVES VISAS FOR anonymous letters “belong to the past”. Accord- ing to them, “authors of anonymous letters quite EU, US, CANADIAN, SWISS AND often try to settle accounts with their competi- JAPANESE CITIZENS tors, enemies or even neighbours”. * Vlad Cubreacov, leader of the PPCD fac- The Moldovan Parliament has recently passed tion: Anonymous letters jeopardize national

18 Parliamentary Courier Issue No. 2, August 2006 Legal framework

security. For instance, even the authorities of Moldova’s breakaway Transnistrian region can organize acts of provocation by sending anonymous letters to the Moldovan state bod- ies. Such letters should not be examined. The Christian Democrats were also support- ed by the Democratic Party and by a group of independent deputies led by former Prime Min- ister, Dumitru Braghis. * Dumitru Diacov, Democratic Party lead- er: Many times anonymous letters are written by employees of the law enforcement bodies wishing to settle accounts with somebody. We know that such letters are written in one of- been one of the most sensitive issues discussed fice and examined next door. Anonymous let- recently by the Moldovan authorities and do- ters are part of our Soviet past. I have at home nors. The Parliament has solved the problem two cases initiated against my parents by the by voting a number of amendments to the Law Soviet KGB based on anonymous letters. As a on the National Bank of Moldova. result, my parents have been exiled to Siberia. Thus, the document stipulates that one of We should definitely give up this practice. However, the parliamentary faction of the the National Bank’s key tasks is “to ensure and ruling Communist Party categorically rejected maintain stable prices” rather than “to maintain the proposal. They said that “anonymous letters a stable national currency”. Although some op- cannot be neglected because many of them con- position deputies said that it is impossible to tain useful and true information”. introduce such a provision in the legislation be- cause “the National Bank cannot influence mar- * Iurie Stoicov, chairman of the parliamen- ket prices”, the amendment was voted by most tary committee for national security, defence deputies. and public order: Our committee receives a Under the document, the activities of the large number of anonymous letters. Most of National Bank of Moldova are to be annually them are complaints against the prosecution, checked by a foreign audit agency, which will the Centre for Combating Economic Crimes be selected by the National Bank’s leadership. and Corruption and other structures. Unfor- The draft law also stipulates that the Nation- tunately, many of them are grounded. For in- al Bank Administrative Council will include five stance, we have recently examined a request members and all of them will be National Bank submitted by a woman who is working in Mos- employees. During debates in the second read- cow and who wrote us that her daughter has ing, deputies agreed that the members of the Na- been raped by the nephews of the prosecutor tional Bank Administrative Council can be de- from Balti. She could not find justice. We have tained, arrested or brought to justice only with investigated the case and found out that the Prosecutor-general’s consent. The goal of this prosecutor was, indeed, hiding the crime com- amendment is to make the members of the Ad- mitted by his nephews. As a result, the pro- ministrative Council more independent. Initial- secutor has been sacked and all the necessary ly, it was planned that the members of the Admi- measures have been taken. Although the debates were quite lengthy, nistrative Council will enjoy complete immu- none of the sides changed its mind. Finally, the nity, but later the proposal was rejected after legislative initiative was put to vote and it was some deputies said that it would be in breach of rejected. It means that state bodies will have to the Constitution which stipulates that all citi- continue examining anonymous letters. zens are equal before law and all of them should be treated equally. The goal of the draft law is to bring the Na- NATIONAL BANK MOVES CLOS- tional Bank of Moldova into line with interna- ER TO EUROPEAN STANDARDS tional standards stipulated in the Moldova-EU Action Plan and in the memorandum on eco- The improvement of the legislation regulat- nomic and financial policies signed with the ing the activities of the National Bank in a bid to IMF. Thus, its adoption could contribute to im- bring it into line with European standards has proving Moldova’s image abroad.

Parliamentary Courier 19 Issue No. 2, August 2006 Parliamentary hearings MOLDOVAN PARLIAMENT TAKES MEASURES TO IMPROVE ARMY DISCIPLINE The Moldovan Parliament believes that the Na- tional Armed Forces of Moldova are developing, but not sufficiently. This conclusion has been made by MPs while discussing a report by a special parliamen- tary commission on the results of an examination of military discipline and law observance in the National Army. Presenting the report, the chairman of the parlia- mentary committee for national security, defence and public order, Iurie Stoicov, said that “military disci- pline still has a lot of space for improvement”, while preventive measures taken by the military command are “formal and inefficient”. “Although in 2005 the number of offences in the cent of the funding needed. This leads to low salaries army fell, the ministry keeps concealing violations and a lack of accommodation for soldiers. The pay of that take place. Abject and tormented soldiers fre- a lieutenant in the National Army is 1,300-1,400 lei quently commit crimes as they do not believe that the (about 100 dollars). As long as the state budget does military command is unbiased,” Stoicov said. not cover ministry’s needs, the image of the army will The commission said that “the Defence Ministry be affected, Plesca added. appoints incompetent people to leading positions, Regardless of these objective reasons, the Parlia- promotes officers with a criminal record, personnel ment has asked the Defence Ministry to come up with is controlled just formally, the organization of the in- a series of measures to improve the state of the army, ternal service in military units is unsatifactory and in particular, to streamline work with conscripts, to soldiers are involved in work outside their depart- provide security for military property and equipment ments”. and to raise soldier’s living standards. The Ministry Stoicov cited examples when servicemen were must inform the Parliament about its achievements forced to work for some businessmen, in private hous- by 1 October 2006. es or at construction sites. He said that this worsens Deputies have also asked the Prosecutor-General’s discipline and leads to desertion. Office to investigate cases of violation of military dis- Defence Minister Valeriu Plesca has recognized as cipline and to create an effective system of recording, unbiased the criticism levelled by the Parliament at preventing and fighting military offences. the National Army command, but added that there The Government will have to allocate additional are “a series of practical reasons which prevent cru- funds to the Defence Ministry which must use them cial change”. to improve the state of things in the Army, to put for- Plesca said that the youth coming to serve do not ward proposals on how to improve the legislation on possess a required general background”. the army and to elaborate a draft law on alternative According to him, the army receives only 35 per military service. HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN MOLDOVA IS IMPROVING, BUT SLOWLY Although the human rights situation in Moldova received 1,422 petitions from citizens living in Moldo- registered some positive changes in 2005, not much va or abroad in 2005. The largest number of petitions progress was achieved compared with the previos years was submitted by residents of Chisinau (1,271), fol- and there is still room for improvement. This conclu- lowed by Cahul (81), Balti (39) and Comrat (3). At the sion has been reached by the Centre for Human Rights same time, Centre’s employees received in audience of Moldova, which has recently presented its annual 3,194 people and offered consultation by telephone to 2005 report in the Parliament. 1,411 people. Centre director Raisa Aploschi said that the Centre About 27% of complaints submitted to the centre

20 Parliamentary Courier Issue No. 2, August 2006 Parliamentary hearings Parliamentary hearings

focused on the violation of the right to The opposition Our Moldova Alli- free access to justice. A large number ance and the Democratic Party have of petitions was submitted by prisoners criticized the human rights situation who complain that their right to human in Moldova, saying that “all these treatment is being violated. rights exist on paper only” and that Citizens also complain that their “the government is not capable of rights such as access to information, securing the observance of human equality and justice, protection against rights”. On the other hand, the ruling discrimination, right to free circula- Communist Party gave many examples tion, school services, freedom of opin- of improvement of the human rights ion and freedom of expression are be- situation over the recent years. ing violated. At the end of the session at which The largest number of people who the report was discussed, the Parlia- called for Centre’s help were employees ment adopted a decision which in- (1,537), followed by detainees (706), cluded a series of proposals on how to pensioners (512) and unemployed improve the human rights situation in (399). Moldova. REVENUES TO 2005 STATE BUDGET EXCEED TARGET

In accordance with the legislation in effect, the Parlia- (1.8 billion lei or 27.6% more than in 2004). Revenues ex- ment has recently heard a Finance Ministry report on the ceeded expenditures by 579.6 million lei. execution of the 2005 budget. Mihai Pop said that of the total amount of revenues, fiscal Finance Minister Mihai Pop has said that revenues to the revenues accounted for 6.957 million lei or 1.718 million lei 2005 budget totalled 9.1 billion lei. This figure exceeded the more than in 2004. Non-fiscal revenues reached 1.553 billion target by 0.4% and was 2.5 billion lei or 38% bigger than in lei, grants - 459.4 million lei and transfers from the Chisinau 2004. and Balti municipal budgets - 57.3 million lei. Expenditures totalled 8.5 billion lei or 94.1% of the target The share of the state budget revenues in the national public budget was 62.1% and in PIB - 24.7%. Compared with 2004, both indicators increased by 4%. Mihai Pop said that taxpayers’ debts to the state budget amounted to 1.106 billion lei by 31 December 2005, includ- ing those administrated by the Fiscal Service totalled 587.4 million lei, by the customs bodies - 93.8 million lei and by the Centre for Combating Economic Crime and Corruption - 424.9 million lei. “In 2005, the government debt towards the National Bank of Moldova for loans taken during the previous years dropped by 127 million lei,” Pop said. Mihai Pop underlined the fact that, like in the previous years, specific attention was paid to the social and cultural expenditures which totalled 3.096 billion lei or 42.4%of the 2005 state budget. The government-run debt was 12.2 billion lei by 31 De- cember 2005, or 723.8 million lei less compared with the beginning of the year, including a 656.3-million-leu direct foreign state debt. The Christian Democratic Popular Party (PPCD) has put forward a number of objections towards the fulfilment of the 2005 state budget, saying that in some cases the government was incapable of efficiently administrating public funds. As a result, the PPCD abstained from voting and the decision on results of hearing the Finance Ministry’s report was adopted with the vote of the majority of deputies present at the ses- sion.

Parliamentary Courier 21 Issue No. 2, August 2006 Interpellations

MOLDOVA SEEKS TO RESTRUCTURE MOLDOVA COULD RECEIVE $137 MIL- DEBT TOWARDS RUSSIA’S GAZPROM LION FROM WORLD BANK BY 2008

* MP Vladimir Filat has asked the Economics and Trade * MP Ion Varta has asked the Economics and Trade Ministry to present information about Moldova’s debt to- Ministry to provide information on credits that Moldova wards Russia’s gas giant Gazprom. in due to receive from the World Bank in 2005-2008. * From the answer given by Economics and Trade Minis- * From the answer given by Economics and Trade Min- ter Valeriu Lazar: ister Valeriu Lazar: The Moldovan-Russian company Moldovagaz does not Moldova could receive credits worth 137 million dollars recognize the decision of Russia’s gas giant Gazprom to trans- from the World Bank in 2005 - 2008. There are two scenarios fer the right to demand Moldova’s gas debt accumulated in for the development of relations between Moldova and the 1994-2004 to the Factoring-Finance company. Moldovagaz World Bank: a basic one and an optimistic one. was informed about the deal in December 2005 post factum. Under the basic scenario, Moldova will receive 90 million As far as it is known, through this deal Gazprom was seeking to dollars’ worth of credits, but if we achieve some progress, then improve its financial indicators. But according to Moldovagaz the sum could go up to 137 million dollars. documents, the debt is still owed to Gazprom not to Factor- The funds will be used to implement nine projects, four ing-Finance. of which have already started: administration of public funds, Moldova intends to hold talks with Gazprom and with improvement of competition, rural education and the Rural Factoring-Finance to restructure its debt for 15 years. This is Investments Project (RISP-II). only our intention and, for the time being, it is too early to say Among other projects which could be implemented in whether we will carry it out or not. But we will try to discuss Moldova with the World Bank support, there are projects the issue during talks. aimed at supporting the budget, improving road infrastruc- ture and providing localities with drinking water. AUTHORITIES ARE MAKING EFFORTS TO Moldova has already achieved some progress, which means that the World Bank may increase its assistance for RELEASE POLITICAL DETAINEES FROM Moldova based on the optimistic scenario. TIRASPOL By the way, foreign donors are ready to review their credit- ing programme for Moldova for the next few years following * MP Oleg Serebrian has asked for information about the economic interdictions imposed by Russia against Moldo- efforts made by the authorities to release Moldovan political va. detainees Andrei Ivantoc and Tudor Petrov-Popa, who have been kept in prison in the breakaway Transnistrian region CONSTRUCTION OF since 1992, and about support granted to their families. REVACA-CAINARI RAILWAY STRETCH * From the answer offered by Deputy Justice Minister and Government’s permanent representative to Parlia- WAS DUE TO ECONOMIC AND ment, Nicolae Esanu: STRATEGIC INTERESTS Since the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has adopted a decision on the Ilascu case on 8 July 2004 (under * MP Alexandru Oleinic has asked the Transport and which all the remaining members of the Ilascu group should Road Management Minister and director of the state-run be released), the Government has taken a number of actions Moldovan Railways Company (CFM), Miron Gagauz, to aimed at its fulfilment. In particular, the Government has sent present information about the construction of the Revaca- requests to the Russian Federation and the Transnistrian re- Cainari railway stretch bypassing the Transnistrian re- gion. The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has gion. been permanently informed about these actions and they were * From the answer of Miron Gagauz: recognized by the Strasbourg court. The Committee of Minis- The Revaca-Cainari railway stretch was built by Romanian ters is encouraging us to continue these efforts. Meanwhile, the authorities back in 1931. Its reconstruction started during So- Committee of Ministers took notice of the Russian authorities’ viet times but has never been completed. We have returned to refusal to implement the ECHR decision. this idea after the authorities of Moldova’s secessionist Tran- We continue to make efforts. All the state structures have snistrian region seized the CFM property on the left bank of been asked to brief their counterparts on the failure to observe the Dniestr river in 2004. We decided to re-build the railway the ECHR decision during various meetings. We should also stretch because of economic and strategic interests. By the point to the lack of constructivism shown by the Transnistrian way, the CFM has been registering profit since 2000. After the authorities. If initially they were saying that the ECHR decision events in the Transnistrian region which I have just spoken is not mandatory for them, then now they are not even answer- about, the profit dropped, but now the situation is gradually ing our requests. improving. It 2005, the company had a profit of 95.1 million As regards the support offered to the families of the politi- lei (7.1 million dollars), while in the first six months of 2006 cal detainees, I would like to say that something is being done, the profit was only 2 million lei. This plunge was due to an but I will be able to provide more details later. increase in fuel prices.

22 Parliamentary Courier Issue No. 2, August 2006 Interpellations Deputy’s opinion PARLIAMENT AS SEEN BY ITS OLDEST AND YOUNGEST DEPUTIES

Moldova’s current Parliament comprises deputies of different ages. Most deputies – 45 out of 101 – were born between 1950 and 1960, seven deputies were born between 1970 and 1980 and two deputies between 1930 and 1940. The very fact that the Parliament consists of representatives of various generations allows that, at Legisla- tive level, problems and interests of all citizens be heard and promoted. At the same time, there is an efficient transfer of experience from one generation to another. Given this situation, we have decided to highlight two points of view on the activities of the current Parliament – that of the oldest deputy, Alexandru Jdanov of the Communist Party, and that of the youngest MP, who is Oleg Tulea from the Democratic Party. Alexandru Jdanov: Current Parliament is more efficient than previous ones I believe that the current Parliament is correctly the other ones. In my opinion, this is explained by approaching all the issues faced by the society. At the fact that, with time, people entering the Parlia- present, the Parliament is discussing and solving ment are more skilled and better professionals and, problems that are of major concern for the people. as a result, the quality of the legislative activities, in Nobody questions the positive effect of the discus- general, and that of activities of committees and fac- sions in the Parliament. At the same time, I consider tions, in particular, is improving. that there are many issues which need to be dis- As regards the political partnership achieved in cussed in detail and we should pay much more at- the Parliament after the 2005 the parliamentary elec- tention to them in the future. If we manage to do so tions, I consider it to be something positive. I think – but I am sure that we will – then we will be able to that this partnership could contribute to achieving further continue our fruitful activities. the European integration objective and to solving the I have been a member of several other Parlia- Transnistrian problem. ments and I can tell you for sure that the current Par- In the future, the Parliament should keep the liament is much more efficient in comparison with same tempo and only positive results will follow. Oleg Tulea: The Parliament shows much more political maturity There are several aspects which I would like to munist majority in the Parliament after the 2001 and highlight while speaking about the activities of the 2005 parliamentary elections. In will be impossible to current Parliament: enact these amendments unless there is clear political The political aspect: The Moldovan Parliament will. However, MPs understand the problem and this shows much more political maturity. The European has been seen when the deputies voted amendments integration objective is a component part of the par- to the parliamentary regulation. liamentary discourse, a fact which requires a new Democracy: The Parliament is the mirror of our quality of activities and political dialogue within the democracy. Unfortunately, too many elements of our Parliament. Of course, the modernization process is Soviet past are still present in Moldova. Democratic quite difficult, sometimes it appears to me that there traditions in Parliament’s activities are inherent in are “steps back” and this fact discourages. But this is Moldova’s pro-European course. This is not a chal- reality. The political consensus achieved by the par- lenge any more. It would be better to say that there is liamentary factions on several key issues has led to still room for improvement when it comes to democ- stability in the Parliament and this is a very positive ratization and modernization of Moldova. signal. Transparency: I welcome the fact that the Parlia- The institutional aspect: The constitutional ment has become more transparent and that coopera- amendments voted in July 2000 (under which Moldo- tion with the civil society has been boosted. Now, this va became a parliamentary republic) have not yet process needs to become continuous and it should reached their goal given the existence of a clear Com- not depend on momentary interests or needs.

Parliamentary Courier 23 Issue No. 2, August 2006 Parliament and civil society

At a seminar organized by the Information Office of the Council of Europe in Moldova, in November 2005, Parliament put forward a blueprint on cooperation with the civil society. De- bated and finalized by representatives of the civil society, the document was adopted by the Parliament on 29 December 2005. The essence of the document is in several cooperation mechanisms through which MPs wish to create a favourable climate for an efficient dialogue with the civil society. More than six months after the adoption of the blueprint, the first results can already be summed up. Parliament Speaker Marian Lupu has also referred to this in his speech delivered at the in- ternational conference “Transparency in decision-making: practices and prospects” which has recently taken place in Chisinau. The conference was organized by the Acces Info Centre, the Moldovan Government, the resources centre for human rights CReDO, the information, ana- lytic and forecasting centre of the Moldovan Parliament and the Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT with the financial support of the US embassy and the International Repu- blican Institute. FIRST RESULTS

peaking at the conference, put forward their proposals and and by organizing at least once a Marian Lupu said that the suggestions, by organizing ad-hoc year public hearings with the par- goal of the blueprint is to meetings to consult civil society’s ticipation of the civil society and establish a permanent, opinion on specific problems in- an annual conference to assess the Sopen and efficient cooperation cluded on the Parliament’s agenda level of cooperation and decide on with the civil society and it envis- or problems of national interest, new directions,” the Speaker said. ages a number of concrete mecha- Marian Lupu also said that the nisms for achieving this objective. document provides for the possi- “Thus, cooperation should be Marian Lupu: “The cooperation bility of including representatives achieved in the following forms: by process is not an easy one, and not of the civil society in the working creating councils of experts under because it requires huge efforts and groups set up by the Parliament the standing parliamentary com- resources, but because it is a new pro- and by its bodies in order to com- mittees according to their key di- cess which is being opposed by the bu- plete the elaboration of some leg- rections of activities, by posting all reaucratic conservatism of Moldovan islative acts. draft laws on Parliament’s web site political traditions”. “It is important to say that this and allowing representatives of the list of mechanisms is not exhaus- civil society to analyse them and tive and new forms of cooperation can be proposed,” the Speaker un- derlined. Touching upon the first results of the implementation of the blue- print, Marian Lupu said that “we are far away from completing the cooperation process, but at this stage we can say for sure that it is already in full swing and we, those present at this event organized on the initiative of the civil society, are witnesses to this process”. The adoption of the blueprint on cooperation with the civil so- ciety also required some organi-

24 Parliamentary Courier Issue No. 2, August 2006 Parliament and civil society zational measures within the Par- liament. Thus, on 16 February 2006, the permanent bureau of the Parliament adopted a decision on implementing the blueprint on co- operation between the Parliament and the civil society. In accord- ance with this decision, internal responsibilities within the Parlia- ment have been distributed. “Probably, the most important prerequisite for ensuring coopera- tion between the Parliament and the civil society is posting draft laws on the Parliament’s official web site, a process which began in February 2006. This allowed deputies to receive feedback from NGOs. Cooperation between Par- liamentary decision makers and the civil society is very important, Lupu was delivering his speech cal traditions’. In spite of this, I at the international conference, am confident that transparency a seminar for deputies on co- and cooperation should be the Marian Lupu: “I am sure that operation with the civil society working instruments of all local transparency and cooperation should was taking place at Parliament’s public authorities in Moldova,” be the working instruments of all local premises. The seminar was con- the Speaker said. public authorities in Moldova”. ducted in partnership with the Marian Lupu said that he re- National Democratic Institute. viewed progress and shortcom- As the blueprint on coopera- ings registered so far in the coop- tion with the civil society pro- eration between the Parliament especially when it comes to elabo- vides for creating councils of and the civil society, “hoping that rating documents of major impor- experts under the standing com- this will help us have a clearer vi- tance, like draft laws on broadcast- mittees and for conducting pub- sion on what should be done in ing, local autonomy, defamation or lic hearings, at the international order to increase transparency election,” Lupu said. conference Marian Lupu called at the level of state authorities According to Lupu, the adop- on NGOs to put forward propos- and ensure a more active partici- tion of the above documents makes als on establishment and activi- pation of citizens in taking im- cooperation between Parliament ties of such councils and on how portant decisions, as this is an and civil society better than ever. to organize public hearings with- indispensable element of real de- At the same time, he admitted in parliamentary committees. mocracy”. that the practical implementation “We all see that the coopera- Of course, six months is not a of the cooperation mechanisms tion process is not an easy one, sufficient period for the relations stipulated in the blueprint is quite and not because it requires huge between the Parliament and the difficult. “It would be right to re- civil society to register too much cognize that there are many MPs, progress. But given the fact that as well as representatives of the many things have already been civil society, who do not know Marian Lupu: “Now, coopera- done and that the foundation of how this process should be imple- tion between the Parliament and this cooperation has already been mented. We are speaking here not the civil society is probably better put, practically from scratch, the than ever”. about the lack of will but about the fragile successes that have been lack of an adequate political and registered are encouraging. We civil culture which should be de- are confident that when the next veloped. In particular, mistrust in efforts and resources, but because summing up takes place, there open cooperation should be over- it is a new process which is be- will be many more positive re- come,” Lupu said. ing opposed by the ‘bureaucratic sults of cooperation between the It should be said that while conservatism of Moldovan politi- Parliament and the civil society.

Parliamentary Courier 25 Issue No. 2, August 2006 Feedback PARLIAMENT ANSWERS... Residents of the village of Malcauti, trict, have asked Parliament to grant material sup port to Lilia Soroca dis has five childrenBrighidin, aged between from the 6 and same 16. village, One of who her - children is disabled. - idents said that In their letter to Parliament, res lage of L Badiceni, ilia Brighidin had lived in the vil husband who is sufferingSoroca, but,from after alcoholism, divorcing she from came her - to the village of Malcauti where she is renting a der - elict house. rent, it risks Bremainingecause the homeless. family lacks The funds authors to payof the the letter say that the family is simply starving. - The Parliament has proposed that the local mayor alty monitors the real estate market in the village and buys a house for the Brighidin family as soon as there is an opportunity. The district council should grant - the necessary financial support. The Health and Social Protection Ministry has decided to give 2,000 lei to the Elena Costetchi from Chisinau has sent a letter family as financial support. to the Parliament asking for financial assistance given the difficult situation that she and her family are facing. Elena had a major surgery about a year ago. The treatment was very expensive and she had to borrow money. Elena also needs funds to carry out additional medical checks. Her husband is dis abled and he also needs treatment and medicines. Following Parliament’s involvement, the Republi Street can Fund for Social Support of Population examined Lermontov - - Speaker Mar Elena Costetchi’s request and offered her 2,000 lei A group of people living in (about 150 dollars). - in Chisinau have asked Parliament ian Lupu to help them repair a section of a road running near their houses. According to them, the road was in a very bad condition and, therefore, traffic was almost impossible there during bad weather. The Parliament asked the Chisinau City Hall to investigate the issue and, as a result, the road has Speaker Marian been repaid by the General Public Transport and A group of citizens from the town of Floresti and - Communication Directorate under the City Hall. Chisinau have asked Parliament UR company. They- Lupu to get involved, so that IaV criminalLA-T investigation be initiated against Vladimir Catruc, director gen Elena Ciobanu, disabled of second degree from eral of the Chisinau-based Italy. The people Chisinau, has complained to the Parliament that Italian visas but she has never enjoyed free of charge treatment at a acussed Vladimir Catruc of deceiving dozens of peo sanatorium since she has become invalid 10 years ple who were promised to be taken to have paid large amounts of money for - ago. The Pensioners Directorate told her in 2006 - that she should wait for four years in order to enjoy have never received them. Vladimir Catruc refused to such treatment free of charge or pay 4,000 lei (300 return them the money, therefore, the victims turned to dollars), money that she does not have. the police for help. The Ciocana sector court in Chisi nau did not find Catruc guilty given the lack of suf - At Parliament’s request, the Health and Social Protection Ministry examined Elena Ciobanu’s re ficient proofs. At Parliament’s request, the Prosecutor-General’s quest and decided to send her to the Victoria reha bilitation centre in Sergeyevca, Ukraine. Office has informed petitioners that a criminal investi gation for a 1.5-million-leu (113,000-dollar) swindle is - being developed against Vladimir Catruc. Catruc has - been arrested and his case is now being investigated by the Court of Appeal in Chisinau. 26 Parliamentary Courier Feedback

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