Newsletter on Foreign Policy and European Integration Issues of the Republic of Moldova

Foreign Policy Association together with Friedrich- Ebert-Stiftung Moldova offer you a newsletter on foreign policy and European integration issues of the Republic of Moldova. The newsletter is part of the “Foreign Policy Dialogue” joint Project. NEWSLETTER MONTHLY BULLETIN SEPTEMBER 2018 NR.7 (149) Synthesis and Foreign Policy Debates The newsletter is developed by Sorina Ştefârţă, editor-coordinator TOPICS OF THE EDITION: 1. Eugen Sturza, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Moldova: The National Army reform means, above all, the qualitative change of people, not just equipment and technology 2. Valeriu Mija, Doctor of Political Sciences, Security Expert at Pro Marshall Center: Any large-scale regional phenomenon has implications for several states - and the Republic of Moldova is no exception 3. Expert opinion. Rosian Vasiloi: „When it comes to policy documents, things look fine” News in Brief The Republic of Moldova remains a strategic priority for Bucharest and its European course will be further supported by Romania. National Army, invisible shield This message recently announced at the Annual Meeting of the Romanian Diplomacy was passed to Prime Minister Pavel Filip by HE Daniel Ioniţă. Pavel Filip thanked Romania for its support, noting its importance in the realization of the European agenda of the Republic of Moldova, but also in the development of the bilateral or illusion of the shield? projects of major interest. Among these are the Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline, the interconnection of electricity networks, the development of infrastructure and the removal of roaming tariffs Sorina Ștefârță between the two countries. The Romanian Ambassador said in this context that Romania’s grant for renovation of kindergartens in the Republic of Moldova has been recently supplemented by three million euros. Pavel Filip also said that the Republic of The August national holidays Moldova relies on Romania’s support in the context of taking have had a bitter taste this over the presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 January 2019. year. It is not for the first time, and yet ... like never before, Intensification of the Moldovan-German political dialogue, the social-political developments in the Republic of Moldova, the these days that are meant to be consolidation of commercial-economic relations and the attraction of German investments in the national economy – these are just “unifying” have been marked by a few issues on the agenda of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and protests and counter-protests European Integration Tudor Ulianovschi on his visit to Berlin. During the numerous meetings, the Moldovan official assured the German as small diversions to the limit side that the transformation of the country according to the European development model and ensuring a European future for and actions that many of us its citizens remain important goals for the Moldovan Government. have seen only in movies or Because of Elections. Because is probably natural for such The German partners appreciated the intense relations with the Republic of Moldova in political, economic and culture areas, but on the news, when dozens of Power. Thus Fight. a structure to do. They did were concerned about the current political situation in the country. it opening its doors to the The State Secretary for European Affairs, Michael Roth, said that of people have been lifted by it is extremely problematic to cancel the results of local elections: masked policemen in order to The last few weeks have been employees and their families so “Voters’will should be respected, the rule of law and free elections being supreme values. Only when these things are guaranteed make room for officials with evidence to this, when we that they see that the National can we and the EU build constructively a close collaboration, regular flower bouquets... have almost daily witnessed Army is made of people for the supporting the necessary reforms.” firecrackers - from the brutal people. And yet, do we know In this context, Minister Roth stressed that Germany expects from the future parliamentary elections in early 2019 to be free and fair, The officials could have not deportation of teachers from what it is really happening with the participation of international observers. As for the Law on laid flowers at all, rather than the “Orizont” High School, there? Are we confident, when Tax Amnesty, he called on the Moldovan government to finally take the concerns of international partners and civil society seriously make it against the background which once again confirmed we see Russian tanks “playing” and fully commit to the fight against corruption and building of the rule of law. of thousands of people’s that something is rotten in our the escalation of the Nistru or booing. They could have laid Denmark, to the road accident in the event of a real crisis, that The new Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Chisinau, Angela Ganninger, presented her accreditation letters in the flowers next to the people with the involvement of the these people in khaki clothes our country. During the meeting with the Moldovan State Secretary that were protesting, or at President of the country, a whom we periodically meet on for European Integration Daniela Morari, there were discussed the current topics on the agenda of the bilateral relations, especially the Gate of the Armenian true litmus paper of a society the street, will be able to stand the mutual interest in the intensification of the political dialogue and commercial-economic relations, in the extension of the Cemetery- the resting place divided to the fullest, a up and defend us? And will they bilateral legal framework and the efforts made by the Chisinau of many who had voted for condition that also the one who have what to defend us with? authorities on the way toward European integration. Independence. Or they could suffered had also contributed What are their real capabilities? Also Ambassador Lilian Darii presented the letters of accreditation to the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. During the have laid flowers at “Ghimpu’s to. For in a poor country there meeting, the officials exchanged views on the current state of monument,” or ...at any other cannot be a rich army. cooperation between our country and the North Atlantic Alliance, focusing on the objectives of the Individual Partnership Action monument in this city. But Against this tense background, Plan (IPAP). The officials addressed also issues related to the on September 3rd, the National We would like to find out about implementation of the provisions of the Defense Capabilities they chose confrontation and Consolidation Initiative. Lilian Darii thanked the Alliance for the the confrontation seems to be Army celebrated its anniversary. this in our current edition of the constant support offered to our country in the process of reforming the national security and defense sectors. Regarding the aspects the leitmotif of this autumn. They did it modestly, as it Newsletter. of national and regional security, the Ambassador reiterated the need to withdraw the Russian military from the territory of the Republic of Moldova and to transform the current peacekeeping Monthly Bulletin, Nr. 7 (149), September 2018 operation in the Transnistrian region into a civilian mission with 64, Sciusev str. MD-2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, Tel-Fax: +373 22 21 09 86 international mandate. Website: www.ape.md E-mail: [email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 2 Synthesis and Foreign Policy Debates The National Army Reform means, above all, the qualitative change of people, not just equipment and technology Eugen Sturza, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Moldova

n September 3rd this year, the What would those be? Because it is a ONational Army celebrated its sector where you cannot improvise too 27th anniversary. Just a few days much... younger than the country it serves, the National Army has been fully aware Let’s start from the reform of the of the problems faced by the society National Army, which is a priority and throughout these years. Moreover, while which in no way involves only technical enjoying a high level of confidence by the equipment. For me, the reform means, population, often the defense sector has above all, the person, the man in the been left among the last on the list of system, who should become the greatest decision-makers’ priorities, remembering value. And here I need ideas, proposals about the armed forces, at best, when - what we need to do for the military major natural disasters happened. and how to do it. It’s not for the person However, the security challenges that x or y or the Minister Sturza to decide integral part of our country and society. have become more and more noticeable who of the officers will go to study, for Yes, in this world, they live according in recent years have raised the issue of example, but there should be a very to internal laws, but the laws of the modernizing and professionalizing the clear selection process – which is already Republic of Moldova are fully observed. defense sector, a goal that has taken being implemented! - in which the And, just like in other areas, in the shape together with the adoption in July human factor can no longer intervene. defense sector the key mechanism is 2018 of the National Defense Strategy. This is important because, on the basis people - very disciplined, by virtue of How this process is taking place and of these studies, our soldiers go on their military training, as they need to be what the National Army and its defense missions and are advanced in positions guided, for better functioning. It’s a fair capabilities look like today - these are and ranks. This is how we ensure that approach to the army. At the same time, the issues that I’ve addressed in the professionals and valuable people are since I’ve become Minister of Defense, interview with the Defense Minister promoted. I’m trying to motivate the colleagues Eugen Sturza. to come up with ideas and solutions, Is this a step towards a professional and not always wait for directions. It is army mentioned as a key element of the It is a separate world, which is important that the senior officers of the National Defense Strategy? part of the Republic of Moldova Ministry of Defense and High Command leadership be not afraid to express their Obviously, since all the armies in the Mr. Eugen Sturza, the National Army opinion and thus bring added value and world have long gone beyond the strictly is the same age as the Republic of more efficiency to our work. This is more military framework. We talk about Moldova- 27 years old. What does this complicated, I don’t deny it, because it technologies, innovative approaches, structure look like today as for many is simpler to just fulfil the orders and not foreign languages ... Only the military people, it’s a parallel world that they take responsibility. That’s why we send under contract go to study abroad. For know nothing about and think it’s them to study abroad, we teach them this, they learn English at one of the nothing to do with them? foreign languages - we want to make six specialized centers of the Ministry the most of their potential so that they of Defense. Today, the military of our It is indeed a separate world, but not come back home with new ideas and country finds itself in the best education an isolated one, because the Army is an strategies.

Monthly Bulletin, Nr. 7 (149), September 2018 64, Sciusev str. MD-2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, Tel-Fax: +373 22 21 09 86 Website: www.ape.md E-mail: [email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 Synthesis and Foreign Policy Debates 3 institutions of the world, from Romania the Defense Strategy, we have already rely on donations from NATO member to the United States of America ... As drafted the Military Strategy which is states? far as the young people who come for being analysed by the Government and the regular military service, our aim is due to be approved by it in September First of all, I have to mention that to integrate them into the system and this year. This document is yet another NATO doesn’t offer weapons. It is a to educate them, for instance, because step forward in the reform process, general rule. In addition, for someone many of them have big knowledge gaps. de facto describing the structure of to give you something, you have to Many of them have never been to a the armed forces of the Republic of show that you are making an effort too concert or theatre ... This also reflects Moldova: how they will show, where and that you are planning to invest. It is a state of the society in which we live, they will be located, what armament much easier to ask for 20 mobile phones because we all walk on the same good or and technical units are needed. Then we when you prove that you have already bad roads, we drink the same water and will develop programmes and projects bought ten from your own resources. we use the same public services. - for example, the “Professional Army” But when you spend the money Programme, adopted in June this year. unreasonably, then you go and complain In the given context, I would like to As a minister, I know exactly what I have about how poor your country is and add something. Some decades ago, it to do in the next four years, how many how small the Defense budget is, it is was normal for the youth who were ammunition, weapons and techniques I not very convincing. So we are buying doing their military service to learn a have to acquire, in what infrastructure to weapons by ourselves and many of such profession. Also nowadays we offer invest, which military unit to rebuild. So procurements are going to be made for this opportunity: the soldiers get there is no way the Strategy can remain the first time in the Republic of Moldova. driving license, become chefs. But I a statement of intent. It is rather a very We are going to focus on technologies, would still like to focus on other skills precise action plan of the sector. so that if one of our soldiers happens to as the military profession should be be in a French or Italian unit, he should the main one. Let’s train good sappers, Is the app. 0.40 percent of GDP be able to speak the same language good soldiers for special forces. The earmarked for the defense sector going and not feel like in a spacecraft. This is soldiers don’t have to wash dishes, peel to be enough? our goal - to have interoperable military potatoes, or mow the grass any more. with other structures and with other These services should be outsourced. Money is never sufficient, whether armies. Although ... the fact that our And the military should learn and train we are talking about Culture, Health soldiers are trained on old machines is so that they are well prepared when the or Defense. The big problem is that, also an advantage, because they can country asks them to intervene here or until recently, almost no investment operate both old and modern military on an international mission. has been made. In addition, I think it equipment. As a result, they are flexible is wrong when the walls are painted for all types of situations. This balance We want to have military that while the roof is leaking like a sieve. helps them to integrate more easily are interoperable with other That’s why we decided to strategically into joint military exercises with other invest in every object. We will not countries, but also in the peacekeeping structures and other armies change one window in Chisinau, two missions that our country participates in. in Cahul and three in Balti. It is better What else do the professionalization to build today a new building, which I think you have disappointed half and modernization of the Army mean? will not require major investments for of the country population who is And how do you make sure that another 15 years, and tomorrow to convinced that NATO is distributing the Strategy doesn’t remain at the build another one in Bălţi, and after armament right and left... declaration level of intent? tomorrow - in Cahul. This is going to be our approach, starting from Fortunately, NATO can be a strategic The National Defense Strategy comes this year, with all the military units. partner without giving us armament. The to adjust the defense system to the new That’s exactly what we’re going to do Alliance is very helpful with expertise requirements, triggered by a series of with the procurement, because it’s in modernizing and strengthening our new threats. It is the document that puts natural for the National Army to have security. And it is already supporting us everything on a logical basis - identifies permanent procurement of weapons under established projects such as the the risks and threats, tells us what we and ammunition. liquidation of pesticides and chemicals should do, what we need to develop, in the Republic of Moldova. Recently, on how much investment to make, and I understand that you cannot be very June 28, the last batch of pesticides from what the defense budget is. Based on open, yet: do we buy armament or the Republic of Moldova was discharged

Monthly Bulletin, Nr. 7 (149), September 2018 64, Sciusev str. MD-2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, Tel-Fax: +373 22 21 09 86 Website: www.ape.md E-mail: [email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 4Synthesis and Foreign Policy Debates from the Sangerei rayon. And I am was different from the actual situation No way. We would have what to show glad that after 16 years of hard work, in the field. For example, out of the - new technologies, new units, and new together with other national authorities more than 320 exercises conducted by weapons - but that is not the purpose, and international structures, we have the Transnistrian side together with and their place is on the instructional managed to free our country from tons the Operative Group of Russian troops polygons. What we organized at the of pesticide waste that threatened (GOTR) in 2016, only one was reported ministry on September 2nd aimed at people’s health. At present we are in Vienna ... Fortunately, things have bringing the army closer to the people, working on other five major projects improved recently and it is much easier so as not to have that parallel world you that are going to be implemented with for us now to communicate and address mentioned about in the beginning and NATO support, aimed at developing the withdrawal of Russian troops. There that our fellow citizens know that the the military medicine, strengthening is an increasing understanding that they military are not robots with weapons the cybernetic system and fighting pose a real threat in the region. in hand, but personalities with great cybercrime. As you can see, these dignity and heart who are ready to projects serve both military and civil There exist discussions, but is there defend our country at any moment. All purposes. any chance? soldiers were wearing civilian clothes, accompanied by their children who have These forces are anything but I hope and believe in the withdrawal finally seen “where the mother or father peacekeeping forces of the troops and even of the is working and what they do day by day. ammunition stationed in Cobasna. Or, at We cultivate patriotism as well, by way of In addition to the challenges and least, in their disposal. And I’m ready to example. We are not the American, nor threats, the National Defense Strategy look for money to bring an ammunition Romanian or French, but believe me, we talks also about our regional role in disposal plant, because they are a do have things to be proud of - people security. What is exactly this role and strategic threat and a danger to the first of all! In order for these people not what should it be? Are we, indeed, a population of the Eastern Moldova and to leave the system, however, we should security provider? Ukrainian districts. At the same time, we offer them good working conditions will continue to insist on replacing the -they should be well-trained so as not to I’m underlining at every meeting I so-called peacekeeping mission with a feel inferior to their colleagues in other have that it is the Republic of Moldova, UN Mission. Because today, the Russian countries, to have where to train in order not Romania, that is today the Eastern troops in the Transnistrian region are to keep fit. Army means training and border of the European Union. And anything but peacekeeping forces. discipline, but also military treated with when I say the Republic of Moldova, I do How can you threaten your neighbour much respect both at home and abroad. not stop at the Nistru, but I refer to the and say you want to be friends at the In this context, I’d like to mention that whole territory of the country. I also say same time? For this is what Russia is I’m planning to increase our presence in the meetings that it is on the situation trying to do, through more and more in multinational contingents, for two in Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova frequent military exercises with forcing reasons. The first is the experience that that will depend what the EU border of the Nistru. This type of exercises in these people come back home with after will look like. Of course, today things are the Security Zone with armoured trucks having interacted with colleagues from more serious in Ukraine, but we face without car plates are provocative other countries - they are more confident the same threats as we have the same actions that violate the regime of the and stronger from a professional point Russian forces stationed on the national security mechanism in the Security of view and can pass on this knowledge and sovereign territory of the country. So Zone, shaking the basis for justifying by to their colleagues here. And the you cannot solve the Ukrainian problem Russia of the peacekeeping mission, and second reason is an emotional one: alone and leave the Transnistrian it is more than obvious that it doesn’t I’m convinced that the military is the conflict aside. That is why we continue provide peace in the region. country’s best ambassadors. They help to insist on this issue. We discuss the the local population in the conflict zones, issue in a broad format - in the United By the way, is the action “Ministry and by doing so they proudly hold the of Defense opens its doors”, which Republic of Moldova’s flag all over the States and Brussels, with our partners in nd Romania and the OSCE, whom we have you held on September 2 , an world. And I want this flag to fly in as asked to honour their commitments indirect response to the traditional many parts of the world as possible. according to their mandate. For there demonstration of force that Tiraspol was a time when we were observing organizes, on a yearly basis, on the day Thank you for the interview and I one thing on the ground, and another of the so-called independence of the wish you great success! thing was reported in Vienna, which self-proclaimed region? Sorina Ștefârță

Monthly Bulletin, Nr. 7 (149), September 2018 64, Sciusev str. MD-2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, Tel-Fax: +373 22 21 09 86 Website: www.ape.md E-mail: [email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 Synthesis and Foreign Policy Debates 5 Any large-scale regional phenomenon has implications for several states - and the Republic of Moldova is no exception Valeriu Mija, Doctor of Political Sciences, Security Expert at Pro Marshall Centre, OSCE International Advisor

Mr. Mija, on September 3rd, the commercial profit, exceed sometimes National Army celebrated its 27th the speed of the military industries’ anniversary. To what extent can we say production, respectively the army today that the Republic of Moldova has endowment. Another phenomenon is a mature defense system capable of the “hunting of qualified specialists”. The coping with modern challenges? authorities of several European countries have become aware of this in the During these 27 years, the National 1990s, and since then they have been Army, like any other institution in the striving to invest consistently in military Republic of Moldova, has been a faithful specialists, as well as to motivate them reflection of domestic developments, through various bonuses, in addition to both politically, economically and fairly competitive salaries. The Moldovan socially. The army has always been a authorities should be aware of the symbol of statehood. Under the modern security and stability in the world. effects of these two phenomena and conditions, the National Army became a Speaking of the second factor, the promote programmes aimed at ensuring promoter of statehood, being involved National Army keeps parity for stability both the real-time modernization of in several international peacekeeping in the security zone of the country’s armed forces and their continuous missions, where Moldovan soldiers eastern districts. It should be noted professionalization. Otherwise, there fulfil their duties with great dignity, that the defense system is viable, but it is a risk of not being able to keep pace proudly carrying the flag of our country. requires modernisation, adjustment and with the rapid developments of the This is an important thing when we investment in order to be cost-effective. international security environment and, are a young state and the international as a result, of facing new effects. community knows little about us. At The training system of the the same time, the National Army and Is professional army the solution? And the defense system have always been military reserve should be are we able to produce professionals in in a complex interdependence with two maintained the field? important factors: the developments in the international security environment What does the National Army lack Professionalization of the army should and what can be considered the security currently, not necessarily in terms of have been initiated much earlier. The dilemma for the Republic of Moldova technical endowment? How do you technologies have advanced so much - the Transnistrian conflict. With assess the process of modernizing and that it is necessary to train and keep the reference to the first factor, I believe professionalizing the armed forces? specialists for a long time so as they can that the development of the National operate the technologies. Within one- Army capabilities to respond to the In the era of post-modernism and year service term, the regular military challenges should have been initiated a globalization we are faced with a new goes through training and leaves in little bit earlier. Because under the new phenomenon - the faster promotion reserve with accumulated knowledge. threats to the state security, the Army’s of high technology in the commercial However, I believe that the training function is more of pro-active reaction sector compared to the industrial- system of the military reserve should to crisis situations or contributing to military one. For example, the Internet be preserved as the military reserve can the international effort of preserving and IT software, being motivated by mobilize in situations of deep crisis for

Monthly Bulletin, Nr. 7 (149), September 2018 64, Sciusev str. MD-2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, Tel-Fax: +373 22 21 09 86 Website: www.ape.md E-mail: [email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 6Synthesis and Foreign Policy Debates national security. And yes, the Republic terrestrial fights don’t produce quick on what is happening around us? Is it of Moldova is capable of producing military victories. Moreover, at the justified to believe that Syria or other a professional army. But I’m not sure present stage, the Republic of Moldova hot zones of the world are stories that if the current political class is aware has a National Army whose capabilities do not concern us? of the fact that at the first stage of are much higher than those of the professionalization there will be need for Moldovan army in 1991-1992. At the I would rather opt for notions such more incremental investments in order same time, the possibility of launching as “interdependence” or “symmetric to achieve the transformation. the “hybrid war” or the “proxy” method and asymmetric dependence”, since that use the internal political, economic, globalization has spreads on a large We are used to making jokes about ideological and social vulnerabilities, scale in the 21st century, thus any “the tanks that can get the entire has devastating effects for the national regional phenomenon has effects on Moldova in a a tizzy in just two hours”, security. If is to analyze, in the given several states. For example, an analysis but is this joke still valid? And, if so, is context, the development of the conflict of the situation in Syria, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova able to cope in the Eastern Ukraine and the situation the Balkans shows that super-powerful with such a situation? with the annexation of the Crimea, actors exercise their capacity to promote we realize that the “hybrid war” was complex interdependence or asymmetric This phenomenon is called “artificial launched against our neighbours long dependence in their geopolitical interest illusions,” and is a consequence of before 2014. The authorities of the areas. For the Republic of Moldova these watching movies about tank battles Republic of Moldova should react firmly situations continue to be important. For in the World War II, or simply the to such phenomena, which prove to example, because of the Transnistrian result of lack of knowledge of military be extremely dangerous for national factor, Chisinau avoids recognizing technology. In fact, the recent conflicts security. Kosovo’s independence and is very in Afghanistan, Georgia, Iraq or Syria careful about developments in the demonstrate that the anti-tank artillery Which, in your opinion, are currently Balkans. Similarly, for several experts has developed in such a way as tanks the biggest security and defense the successive outcome of the hybrid are no longer a major element of attack, challenges for the Republic of Moldova operation called “Novorossia”, launched being very vulnerable and expensive. - local, regional, global? How do they in Ukraine in 2014, was known - and It is more of an effective element of differ from the classic concept of namely the setting of new borders along supporting attack forces, ie mechanized security challenges? the Dnieper, the cutting of access of the infantry at a safe security distance, as neighbouring state to the Black Sea, the well as a psychological element. The I believe in comprehensive and joining of the Transnistrian region to Republic of Moldova does not have this comparative approach to global security the “Novorossia” and taking maximum type of equipment, but it has sufficient analysis - which is true also for the dividends from the south of our country, artillery, including anti-tank weapons to Republic of Moldova, whose capacities where there are many sympathizers of combat those armoured vehicles. in international relations are rather the so-called “Russkii Mir”. modest. Practically, this means that a The possibility of repeating the geopolitical event can easily affect our Transnistria has a geostrategic events similar to those in 1992 is country. Ignoring the analysis of global role in the Moscow’s plans in the and, above all, regional challenges can minimal lead to a strategic error in ensuring the Balkans national security and defense. We can In the absolutely undesired focus much on the internal factor, but Does the National Security occurrence of a new 1992, to what without knowing how the international Strategy, adopted in July, respond to extent are we able to cope with such a security system works, we are risking these challenges? What should the situation? How functional are the term deepening into the “regionalism” and Government do to implement it? military, the reservist military, but also “provincialism” and not see the long- the National Army professionals? term danger. Obviously, the analysis of To cut it short, the priority will be internal situation and risks is important. to modernise the defense sector as The practice of several international But our history shows us that they urgently as possible – only in this conflicts shows that the possibility of have always been linked to the external condition will it respond quickly and repeating events similar to those of factors of the global system. effectively to the challenges outlined 1992 is minimal, because they no longer above. produce political dividends, for the How dependent are we, actually,

To what extent, in your opinion, is Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) the situation in this geopolitical area, defense a priority for the authorities facilitates the planning and development where Transnistria has a geostrategic of the Republic of Moldova? Is of several initiatives and programmes, role in the Moscow plans for the Balkans. there a consensus at the level of key such as the Capability Operational Currently, the regional status quo is not institutions in this regard - Parliament, Concept, which allows for the training favourable for Russia, which has taken a Government, Presidency? Is internal of the military units for international “strategic break” in the sense that it will politics an obstacle? peacekeeping operations in line with not do anything for the final settlement international standards; reforming of the dispute and will count on another Some of our politicians treat of the defense planning system; geopolitical opportunity in the future. the development of international democratic control over the defense We can talk about actions to make life relations with much romanticism sector, promotion of social projects easier for the residents of the region. and sometimes also demonstrate a (destruction of pesticides); cooperation However, we have to be aware that lack of geostrategic knowledge. For in the scientific field. Obviously, there are Russia’s decision on the Transnistrian which reason, the defense sector has people who are suspicious about the co- region will depend on the possible often been a tendentious priority, operation within NATO, which is a Cold dividends from the crises in Ukraine and depending on relations with the Russian War historical atavism. However, it should Syria, the situation in the Balkans and Federation and the situation in the be noted that the North Atlantic Alliance Turkey, and the developments in the Transnistrian region. At the same time, also has many partners, including most crises of the European Union and NATO. the diametrically opposed views on how of the neutral states in Europe, all CIS The replacement of the peacekeeping to ensure national security are obvious member states, most of the countries in format in the security zone will only at the “ideological” level expressed by the Mediterranean Sea. Personally, I think be possible when the weapons and political parties - and this is not good for the Republic of Moldova can only benefit ammunition from the Colbasna military the development of the defense sector from this. depot (about 20,000 tons) as well as the of the Republic of Moldova. military troops of the Russian Federation One of the issues that which has (GOTR) stationed illegally on the Does Chisinau succeed in making been discussed for a few years now territory of our country are evacuated. full use of the international defense is the replacement of the Russian Otherwise, despite their different status cooperation agreements to which it is peacekeepers from the Nistru with a UN in the Republic of Moldova, the Russian a party? For example, the potential for Civilian Mission. How realistic is it? peacekeeping forces (according to the cooperation with NATO, but also others, agreement from July 21, 1992) and GOTR if any (you can provide examples etc.). The agreement from 21 July 1992 units will always be interdependent. signed by the Russian Federation and The viability of the sector is to a the Republic of Moldova does not In 2016 you sustained your PhD thesis large extent due to the international provide for such a peacekeeping mission, on Neutrality. Is neutrality a functional cooperation. The partners of the Republic which was an enormous legal mistake. policy for the Republic of Moldova? of Moldova provided us bilateral support Any UN peacekeeping force has an when the country needed to build annual mandate, which is revised and In the academic researches on the defense sector and I would like to approved by the UN Security Council. neutrality as a political and legal category mention the assistance from Germany, Any OSCE Field Mission has an annual in international relations, I concluded Greece, France, Romania, Turkey, the mandate reviewed and approved by the that the permanent neutrality status United States of America, Great Britain Permanent Council. Russia’s argument of the Republic of Moldova which and so on. These states provided regarding the operation in the security was self-declared and adopted in the theoretical and functional training to zone is simple: “after the political 1994 Constitution, is non-functional in the Moldovan officer corps, but also settlement of the Transnistrian conflict”. ensuring the national security. Thus, provided our country with modern It sounds “noble”, but it is a political trap the Republic of Moldova appears as a military technical equipment. At the same that our authorities got into in 1992. state where the authorities occasionally time, the NATO Partnership for Peace promote “a policy of neutrality,” which is Programme, launched in 1994, allowed Also the idea proposed by the Chisinau altogether another concept of neutrality our country to understand and change authorities is noble, but not achievable and is called Neutralism (a selective its vision when it comes to the defense at the moment for several reasons. political attitude towards events). The sector in the new realities. Today, the Firstly, because the Russian Federation international practice demonstrates that cooperation with NATO through the looks differently at the development of neutral states are genuinely respected

for three reasons: the main actors of the international system declare their respect through international law; neutral states Expert opinion are not at the crossroads of geostrategic interests; neutral states have sufficient capacity to defend themselves. In the case of the Republic of Moldova’s declared neutrality status, it is necessary „When it comes to policy to fulfil some mandatory conditions:

1. Political settlement of the documents, things look fine” Transnistrian conflict with the ending of the peacekeeping mission led by the Russian Federation. the period 2018-2022 specify other 2. Evacuation of foreign troops, priority directions in the field and including the troops and namely: ammunition of the Russian Federation from the territory of the • Development of combined Republic of Moldova. military capabilities and their 3. Recognition of this neutrality status consolidation for the effective at the international level - the fulfilment of the constitutional easiest way would be within the state defense mission; UNO, as Turkmenistan succeeded in • Ensure operation of the 2005. mobilization mechanism; Rosian Vasiloi, • Intensification of the However, we can see that these conditions Analyst on Security Issues at IDIS parliamentary scrutiny; will be very difficult to be fulfilled in the “Viitorul”, former Border Police • Ensuring the legal framework; near future. Moreover, this still does Deputy Chief of the Republic of • Strategic communication; not guarantee full national security. In Moldova • Strengthening national defense this context, I would say that the way capabilities to anticipate, prevent things are going to be set in the future About the defense sector as a and counteract threats and risks depends on the developments in Ukraine, priority for the government to state security, especially hybrid but I don’t rule out certain geopolitical security; compromises that some experts may • Improvement of the national crisis When it comes to policy documents, not know about, since the global management system during the things look fine. Thus, according to security paradigm has changed after the state of emergency. recognition of Kosovo’s independence, the Government Action Programme for 2016-2018, security and defense the war in Georgia, the crises in Syria Obviously there are more other represent priority areas for the and Ukraine. De facto, today we are sectoral policies in the field. But, Government: „1. Reforming and witnessing an attempt to solve global even today, we don’t have yet a modernizing the defense and security problems through the approach of political comprehensive document, such sector. 2. Updating the National neorealism, which is not accepted by the as a National Security Strategy, European Union. However, some experts Security Strategy of the Republic of although, as I’ve mentioned above, believe that the intentional actors will Moldova in order to cope with the the Government Action Programme have to reach a compromise in zones of international situation, including by provided for it to be updated. The geopolitical tensions anyway, in order to capitalizing on the cooperation with draft of this extremely important avoid a large-scale conflict. the European Union in the field of policy document for our country was common security and defense policy”. developed by a group of national Thank you for the interview! The National Defense Strategy and the experts, with the support of civil Sorina Ștefârță Action Plan for its Implementation for society and development partners

in 2015-2016. But in June 2017, IDIS “Viitorul”, in 2018 the Parliament the vision of the future of the National President Igor Dodon withdrew this voted, to the benefit of the Ministry Army should be reconfigured, because strategic document on the grounds of the Interior, budget rectifications of we are still living with stereotypes it “no longer corresponds to the 250 mln MDL, which raises the public that the Army is responsible for substantial changes that have taken order funding to the huge figure of 5.9 Defense. This is wrong and the task of place at the national, regional and billion MDL. In dynamics, we can see us all - state institutions, civil society international levels.” Similarly, Igor that, from 2009 until 2014, the budget organizations, citizens - is to change Dodon calls for the elaboration of expenditures for the public order have this harmful paradigm. And, obviously, a new strategy that “corresponds increased by approx. 43% (from 1.5 the government should have a strong to the national interests, the to 2.17 billion MDL, which means an say in this. Otherwise, we may risk neutrality status, the consolidation increase of about 120 MDL annually). to have impediments to capitalize on of the statehood and the country Meanwhile, the Parliament has the assistance provided by external modernization” and declares that the increased the spending on maintaining partners, especially NATO, including in initiation of the Strategy development public order by 2.4 times: from 2.17 the context of the implementation of process is exclusively the prerogative billion MDL in 2014 to 5.25 bn. MDL the Defense Capacity Building Initiative of the head of state. All said and in 2018 - an increase by 3,077 billion (DCBI) in the Republic of Moldova. done, Igor Dodon set up by Decree MDL in absolute values. A current a new Commission for elaboration dignitary said, at one point, that “we About the biggest security of the National Security Strategy of have as much security as we invest in challenges Republic of Moldova, which was to it.” It is undisputed that the figures submit the document for approval by presented above speak for a certain At IDIS „Viitorul” we have conducted the end of 2018. What happens to kind of “security” that helps the several analyses on this topic and this document and the work of this government protect itself from its own I think the problem is the way in commission, nobody knows. The fact is citizens. This is not about real security which the Republic of Moldova is that, despite the major changes in the and investments in defense in order to developing its capacities to address regional and national security issues, achieve the priority directions outlined these challenges. In fact, I would we are living with a National Security in the policy documents. These budget call them vulnerabilities, threats and Strategy approved by Parliament in data show that, de facto, a police risks - and divide them. The National 2011. state is being built in the Republic Security Strategy Draft, which I was of Moldova against its citizens. In talking about earlier, addressed three About funding that is more conclusion, the National Defense is risks for the Republic of Moldova - underfunding like a “Cinderella” in conditions of external, cross-border and internal extremely high security risks. ones. The first category is the regional The security and defense sector instability and the war between funding plays a very important role. About the National Army at the Russia and Ukraine, which limits the Currently, the Defense sector is under- age of 27 capacity of the Republic of Moldova funded accounting for 0,4% of GDP, to promote its strategic interests, which is below the European average In the National Army we have such as European integration or the of 1,4%. For comparison, the „state dedicated staff who are trying to identification of a solution to the budget” of the separatist regime in survive under the conditions of limited Transnistrian conflict. The second Tiraspol allocates 6% on ‘defense’, state funding. Given this situation, I category allows for the use by the which means 1.4% of the region’s GDP, would say that all the governors who cross-border criminal organizations being thus in line with the European have been at the forefront in the past of the territory of the country as a average for the sector. The things on 27 years lacked a clear vision of how route for trafficking in human beings, the right bank of the Nistru are quite to develop the National Army and the drugs, weapons, goods and illegal different. According to an analysis by defense sector. And that despite all migration to EU countries. And the Igor Munteanu, Executive Director of statements and policy documents. So, third category of risks is corruption,

the undermining of democracy and integrated state border management border with Ukraine that started in rule of law, which provoke distrust of model. Together with the approval 2003 and which is not completed citizens in the main state institutions of the Moldova - EU Action Plan in yet. The completion of this process and policy makers and undermine the 2005, we introduced the Integrated will provide us with more legal and democratic foundations of society, State Border Management (ISBM) diplomatic mechanisms to minimize but also the credibility of the state term - in line with the EU procedures the impact of the demands of internationally. and standards in the field of Justice separatist movements in the Republic and Home Affairs. It is a concept of Moldova, especially with regard The National Defense Strategy where every actor has a say - the to the Transnistrian segment of the responds to these risks only partially Border Guard Service is responsible Moldovan-Ukrainian state border. and not in a way we would like to. for overseeing the crossing of the This will allow us to complete the The answers should be provided by State border, the Customs Service - process of taking control of the given the National Security Strategy, but for economic and customs security. segment, but only if the national given the fact that the political class The adoption and application by our interests prevail. For the time being, lacks conceptual knowledge – it country of the European ISBM model however, it seems that this is not seems to remain with the mentality is a strategic decision. At the same entirely desirable. There are still that “somebody will protect us from time, we have to admit that certain many questions related to the state risks – this didn’t happen. Thus, due policy documents in the field that border with Romania, which is the to endless internal political struggles, expressly reflect the commitments of external border of the EU and NATO. the Republic of Moldova remains the Republic of Moldova on the border The risk factors in this sector (eg, vulnerable to the risks of defense and issues stipulated in the Association smuggling) give us a hard time and it security. Agreement with the EU, are approved is important to build awareness about with one-year delay. I refer particularly this at the national level. Otherwise, About the border that is more to the new National Strategy on State there could be a risk of tougher talks than a formal demarcation line Border Management whose approval with European partners on the issue is delayed. The existent policy of visa liberalization, citizenship for I think that in recent years, we have document in this area has lost its legal investment, human rights and the rule succeeded in changing the perception power in December last year. of law. of state border as a security factor at the conceptual level. While its In this context, I would like to mention Sorina Ștefârță demarcation is a sub-factor in the the demarcation issue of the state

The opinions expressed in the newsletter are not necessarily those of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) or of the Foreign Policy Association (APE).

Foreign Policy Association (APE) is a non-governmental organization committed to supporting the integration of the Republic of Moldova into the European Union and facilitating the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict in the context of the country Europeanization. APE was established in fall 2003 by a group of well-known experts, public personalities and former senior officials and diplomats, all of them reunited by their commitment to contribute with their expertise and experience to formulating and promoting by the Republic of Moldova of a coherent, credible and efficient foreign policy.

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) is a German social democratic political foundation, whose purpose is to promote the principles and foundations of democracy, peace, international understanding and cooperation. FES fulfils its mandate in the spirit of social democracy, dedicating itself to the public debate and finding in a transparent manner, Monthly Bulletin, Nr. 7 (149), September 2018 social democratic solutions to current and future problems of the society.64, Sciusev str.Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung MD-2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, has Tel-Fax: been +373 active 22 21 09 in 86 the Republic of Moldova since October 2002. Website: www.ape.md E-mail: [email protected]