How Is the Republic of Moldova Handling the Issue of the Gagauz

The Newsletter is based on the radio programme broadcast on May 8th, 2017, produced by the Foreign Policy Association of Moldova in partnership with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES). The programme is broadcast on the Moldova Public Radio. The programme is part of the FES/APE “Foreign Policy Dialogues” Project. The content can be reproduced by mentioning the source. NEWSLETTER MONTHLY BULLETIN MAY 2017 NR.4 (134) Synthesis and Foreign Policy Debates The materials are realized by Lina Grau, foreign policy expert and programme coordinator with APE.

TOPICS OF THE EDITION: 1. How is the Republic of Moldova handling the issue of the Gagauz autonomy? Mindaugas Kacerauskis: Gagauzia can serve as a positive example for Transnistria in the regulatory process. 2. Elena Bacalu: Many of the problems have not been solved because of lack of communication 3. Vadim Ceban: We need Romanian and Gagauz language study programmes 4. Veaceslav Berbeca: Even if there is tension between Comrat and Chisinau, we cannot talk about separatism

The last period was marked by a series of important events for the Republic of Moldova. The Republic of Moldova will receive observer status with the Eurasian Economic Union in October, at the next summit of the organization, said President Igor How is the Republic of Moldova handling Dodon in an interview for the Russian newspaper Izvestia. Dodon said the Eurasian Economic Union needs time to examine his request, because there is no precedent yet of countries with Eurasian Economic Union observer status.

The Republic of Moldova and Ukraine have completed the issue of the Gagauz autonomy? the technical preparations for the opening of joint control checkpoints on the Transnistrian segment of the Moldovan-Ukrainian border at the Pervomaisk- Cuciurgan checkpoint. The Moldovan authorities have assured that expanding of the joint border control with Ukraine on the Transnistrian segment will not harm the interests of ordinary citizens. The explanation comes after the Tiraspol separatist authorities, supported by Moscow, complained that the initiative of introducing the Moldo-Ukrainian border control would mean a blockade of the Transnistrian region.

On May 5th, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldovan adopted in the first reading the transition to the mixed electoral system- a compromise negotiated by the Democratic Party with the socialist opposition. At a press conference, the speaker of parliament Andrian Candu said it was a “necessary compromise for the good of the country,” even if the Democratic Party was in favour of the uninominal system. Candu also said that the final vote will not take place until the endorsement in June of the draft law by the Venice Commission. In his turn, Igor Dodon qualified the Friday’s vote in Parliament as a victory of the Socialist faction in the fight against the uninominal vote. Several representatives of the civil society and parties gathered in front of Parliament to protest against changing of the electoral system, saying the latter is antidemocratic and is going to eliminate smaller parties from the Moldovan political scene and divide power among the democrats and socialists.

Turkey’s Prime Minister, Binali Yildirim, paid a visit to the Republic of Moldova on the 5th and 6th of May. The visit programme included meetings with the leadership of the Republic of Moldova, participation in the inauguration of the Embassy of Turkey in Chisinau and the Businessmen Forum, and a visit to the Mother and Child Institute. The Turkish Prime Minister also participated in the Gagauz Congress, which took place in Comrat. “Even if we do not have common borders, Lina Grâu provided by the legislation that Comrat we are connected by the Black Sea and the Gagauz ethnicity, therefore we should support each other considers assumed in an unjustified way by in good and bad times,” the Turkish premier said. According to official data, in 2016, the volume of the 23 years after the adoption of the Law Chisinau - police, education, customs. Over foreign trade of the Republic of Moldova with Turkey the years, the Gagauz politicians have called amounted to over 334 million dollars. More than 1200 on the Special Legal Status of Gagauzia Turkish capital- enterprises are active in the Republic for expansion of the autonomous budget of Moldova, with investments in their social capital (Gagauz-Yeri) in 1994, there is still tension amounting to about 378 million lei. between Chisinau and Comrat. The categories and creation of the Regional Only two Moldovan political parties would enter central authorities are accused by regional Development Agency in Gagauzia. the Parliament if Parliamentary elections were held: the Socialists’ Party with 33.6% and the “Action and politicians of failing to comply with the legal Solidarity” Party, with 24.8%. These are the results of the recent Barometer of Public Opinion (BOP) norms on the Gagauz autonomy. There After Chisinau declared the European presented by the Public Policy Institute. No party in integration a strategic objective of the government at the moment would make it to the are several competencies of the region future parliament, shows BOP, conducted between April 16th-23rd. The country’s president, former Socialist leader Igor Dodon and PAS leader, Maia Monthly Bulletin, Nr. 4 (134), May 2017 Sandu, are the most trustworthy politicians, with 32% 64, Sciusev str. MD-2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, Tel-Fax: +373 22 21 09 86 and 17%, respectively. Website: www.ape.md E-mail: [email protected] MAY 2016 2 Synthesis and Foreign Policy Debates

Republic of Moldova, Comrat organized two referenda - one consultative and the other one “legislative”. Mindaugas Kacerauskis: Gagauzia In the first referendum, the voters received can serve as a positive example for two ballots, where they answered with “yes” or “no” to the questions: “Do you agree with the choice of the external Transnistria in the regulatory process development course of the Republic of Moldova aimed at joining the European of autonomies that do function. Union?”, “Do you agree with the choice Moldova’s experience with Gagauzia is of Moldova’s foreign development course aimed at joining the Customs Union (Russia- unique in the sense that the settlement Belarus-Kazakhstan)?”. The Russia-Belarus- of the dispute in the early 90es was Kazakhstan Customs Union option was completely peaceful and did not supported by 98 percent of the voters. require any foreign involvement or mediation. An agreement was reached The second referendum, held on the on delimitation of competences same day, was a legislative one and had between the central authorities and one ballot with the question: “Do you the Autonomy which resulted in the agree that the UTA Gagauzia adopts a law adoption of the 1994 Law on the allowing Gagauz people to exercise their right to self-determination in case the Special Legal Autonomous Status Republic of Moldova changes its status of of Gagauzia. However, this law has an independent state?” 98.8 percent of the been poorly implemented over the voters gave a “yes” answer to this question. 23 year-period of its functioning, its role in the Moldovan hierarchy of laws According to the 2014 census, the having not been clearly defined. The autonomy has about 135 thousand main EU’s objective vis-a-vis Gagauzia inhabitants, which represents 4.5 percent of is the implementation of the 1994 the population of the Republic of Moldova. Law on the basis of the 2002 Venice The Gagauz autonomy is the region with the Commission recommendations and lowest standard of living compare to the indaugas Kacerauskis, political national average. According to the National Mofficer of the EU Delegation to the 2013 OSCE report. The functioning Bureau of Statistics, the average salary of the Republic of Moldova, points out of Gagauzia Autonomy stands high UTA Gagauzia in 2015 accounted for only that there are autonomy models in the also on the agenda of the EU-Moldova 77% of the national average salary. EU that function very well and which Human Rights dialogue. The smooth could be taken over by the Republic of functioning of the Gagauzia Autonomy In 2015, 59 percent of the region’s revenues Moldova. is important for the EU in terms of were transfers from the state budget, while the fulfilment of one of the EU’s its own revenues accounted for only 7.6 priorities: creation of an inclusive percent. The amount of non-reimbursable Lina Grâu: Why has the EU paid more society. Gagauzia should serve also loans to the region coming mainly from attention to the Gagauz autonomy in the European Union and Turkey increased recent years? Do you think the region as a positive example for Transnistria fourfold between 2011-2015- from 0.6 has the potential to become a model in the settlement process, and on the percent to 2.2 percent of the region’s for resolving separatist conflicts? contrary – it can have a deterring effect revenues. How do you appreciate the dialogue in case the provisions of the Autonomy, between Chisinau and Comrat? agreed back in 1994, are not respected According to the data of the Economic by the central authorities. Development Department of the region, Mindaugas Kacerauskis: You are the EU Member States are the main market Lina Grâu: What place does the for the goods produced in the region. In right that the EU has been paid EU occupy in the exports of the 2015, the value of the goods exported to increased attention to Gagauzia in the EU markets amounted to 784 million lei, recent year. Exactly in the EU there Gagauzian autonomy? What European while in the CIS countries - 562 million lei. exist successfully implemented models investments exist in the autonomy?

Monthly Bulletin, Nr. 4 (134), May 2017 64, Sciusev str. MD-2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, Tel-Fax: +373 22 21 09 86 Website: www.ape.md E-mail: [email protected] MAY 2016 Synthesis and Foreign Policy Debates 3

Mindaugas Kacerauskis: There is no special statistics about exports or Elena Bacalu: Many of the problems imports to/ from Gagauzia. Neither EUROSTAT nor the Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova produce have not been solved because of lack of such statistics. It is available only for the entire country without specifying its regions. The same is about communication investments. However, I am sure establishing a dialogue between the that large amounts of the Gagauzian central and regional authorities. products, especially its very high quality wine, are on the shelves of the EU MP Elena Bacalu, co-chair of the supermarkets. Probably the authorities working group of the Parliament of Gagauzia (office of Bashkan) could of the Republic of Moldova and the provide more information about the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia, geography of Gagauzia’s exports. In any says that many of the problems case, we feel a great interests on the part of Gagauzia exporters to enter the between Chisinau and Comrat have EU market. not been solved because of lack of communication. Lina Grâu: What projects, grants and credits did the EU offer to the Gagauz Elena Bacalu: Considering the need autonomy in recent years? What is to continuously modernize Moldovan their value and what domains are they legislation and taking into account the targeting? recommendations of the OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Mindaugas Kacerauskis: The EU has and of the Council of Europe, as well allocated 6.5 million EUR for Gagauzia as the provisions of the European and Taraclia for their regional and rural Charter of Local Self-Government, this development (ENPARD programme). he complicated situation created working group has been created based EU has also decided to provide to the Taround the Gagauz autonomy on the Parliament’s decision from the authorities in Gagauzia a grant for after the 2014 referendum required 20th of November 2015. The members small infrastructure projects as well as rethinking of the attitude of the of the working group represent all training and capacity building. The EU central authorities towards the factions of the Parliament. A similar is also active in Gagauzia in supporting Gagauz autonomy. Thus, besides the decision was adopted by the People’s local civil society organizations in fact that the budget categories of Assembly of Gagauzia through conducting various projects related the UTA Gagaizia were extended, the which five people were appointed to good governance, community transfers from the state budget to to serve in this group. The purpose empowerment, human rights and the regional budget have increased of the working group is to adjust the capacity building. Some of the EU and a Regional Development Agency legislation of the Gagauz autonomy Member States are particular active has been created in the region. to the Constitution of the Republic of in Gagauzia in implementing various Also, there was created a working Moldova. projects, including support to SMEs, group consisting of MPs from infrastructure, health sector, education, the Parliament of the Republic of A number of objectives were set, etc. Romania is the main donor for Moldova and members of the Gagauz including the establishment of Gagauzia among the EU Member People’s Assembly for delimitation of dialogue between the Parliament States. Facilitating of learning of the UTA Gagauzia competences within of the Republic of Moldova and Gagauz and Romanian languages is also the constitutional norms of the the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia among donor’s priorities. Republic of Moldova. The working regarding the assurance of the UTA group is an important element in Gagauzia functionality under the

constitutional norms of the Republic When I started working on the was part of the Southern Regional of Moldova. ground, knowing little about Gagauzia, Development Agency and the Gagauz I was thinking that there were not authorities were very dissatisfied Another objective was to analyse the so many problems, but during the with that as they wanted to have compliance of the Law No. 344 of 23 process I have realized that there a separate Regional Development December 1994 on the special legal are a lot of problems that need to be Agency for Gagauzia. At the status of Gagauzia with the provisions solved. recommendation of the working of the Constitution of the Republic of group such an agency was established Moldova. Lina Grâu: And what were the main in the region. outcomes of the working group? Oher objectives included elaboration Another decision of the working group of the Action Plan by ensuring the Elena Bacalu: At the request was to train specialists in the field of functionality of UTA Gagauzia and of our colleagues in Gagauzia, justice. Thus, at the recommendation of the legislation of the Republic representatives of several ministries of the working group, the Superior of Moldova in accordance with were invited, especially those involved Council of Prosecutors decided that the constitutional provisions; in the financing of projects in the an additional five candidates for consolidation of the national territory. the position of prosecutors in UTA legislation with regard to the Gagauzia be admitted to the contest special status of UTA Gagauzia and We have to admit, and our colleagues in 2016. delimitation of the competences of in Gagauzia had to admit it too, that the central and autonomous bodies; many of their complaints regarding Lina Grâu: Why has this been done? drafting modifications to the national the financing of projects were not and autonomous legislation. exactly objective. We know it very Elena Bacalu: All members of the well that in order to get funding working group came to the conclusion What I have to say is that initially we for a project, you need to prepare that the specialists from Gagauzia in did not have an easy communication. and submit project proposals in this field were not prepared enough. There was need for some time to accordance with the standards Comrat has been requesting that establish a communication between agreed. The Moldovan Investment the specialists in these institutions our parliamentary groups. We have Fund, the Energy Efficiency Fund be from the Gagauz region. When been active for more than half a year and the Environmental Fund are also the contests were announced, it was and there is also an activity report working based on this principle. very difficult to select candidates for this period. We took a break from the region as they didn’t meet starting from October-November That is why they finally understood, the requirements. That is why the when the electoral campaign for the and we also suggested to them that working group has decided to allocate election in the People’s Assembly of within the executive body they create additional resources to get these the autonomy was launched. Now a department whose specialists will specialists trained. I learned that new members of the only work on drafting and submitting working group have been already project proposals. At the initial stage of its work, the appointed in Comrat and obviously working group focused its attention the activity of the working group will One important result of the working mainly on solving the social- be resumed soon. group was the solution of another economic issues. For the first time, long-standing issue of the autonomy. the Parliament of the Republic of Over the course of half a year, the At the level of the Republic of Moldova approved the Government’s working group has had 26 meetings Moldova there were three regional programme of activities, which and adopted more than 21 decisions development agencies- the Northern includes a separate section dedicated of recommendatory nature that have Regional Development Agency, to the cooperation between the been submitted to the authorities in the Central Regional Development central public authorities and UTA charge. Agency, and the Southern Regional Gagauzia. Namely in this context, Development Agency. Gagauzia the working group supported the

initiative of holding the Government As I said above, not all of the orientation of Gagauzia is not the meeting in UTA Gagauzia on March complaints of our colleagues in European Union, as the Moldovan 24, 2016. Following that meeting, the Gagauzia were fair and justified - Government says, but the Russian Agency for Regional Development was especially those pertaining to the Federation, and also other statements established in the region. allocation of financial resources for of this kind. These things suggest a project implementation. They also certain kind of separatism that leads One of the objectives of the understood this and drew conclusions to what happened in the Transnistrian working group is to get approval as to what to do next. region. Do you think there are by the Government of the Republic prerequisites for this to change? of Moldova of an action plan for There have been already several improving the social and economic months since the working group Elena Bacalu: I believe that most of situation of UTA Gagauzia for the hasn’t met but this is because of the the people in Comrat have understood period of 2017-2019. local elections in Gagauzia and the where the financial sources come need to appoint new members from from and then we cannot compare The working group is assisted by Comrat. Gagauzia with Transnistria because specialists from the Parliament’s and this is a completely different situation. People’s Assembly secretariats. We Lina Grâu: When do you think the will need trainings for these specialists activity of the working group will be There is a problem here and what and additional resources will be resumed? we should do in the near future is to needed in order to hire more people bring to the attention of all citizens who will only be responsible for the Elena Bacalu: In a few weeks I of UTA Gagauzia the achievements activity of the working group. think we will resume the work of the of the Moldovan leadership related working group. to the autonomy. I have told my The maintenance, development, colleagues at one of the meetings consolidation and continuity of the Lina Grâu: In recent years, there has that it is not good that the autonomy dialogue should become a priority been a greater interest in the Gagauz is not speaking of the results of the for the Parliament and the People’s autonomy- the working group has working group. I personally insisted Assembly, providing the opportunity been established, the EU Delegation and went to a TV station in Gagauzia to crystallize a professional in the Republic of Moldova is paying where I talked about the activity of mechanism for addressing and solving more attention to the region and the working group and about what it the problems between the region and allotting more European funds. Why is should do next. the centre. this happening? I would like to tell you that not once Lina Grâu: You said that you have Elena Bacalu: I don’t think I can at the meetings of the working found out that there are many issues say how the situation in this respect group we discussed that the Gagauz to be discussed between Chisinau was before, but there is also a big citizens should do more to learn the and Comrat. Which are the most opening from the Government and Gagauz language. Unfortunately, important and why have they not the Parliament of the Republic of this is still a problem - in many been discussed so far? Moldova to identify the problems and institutions, including kindergartens, allocate financial resources to solve the mother tongue is not studied, Elena Bacalu: I believe that them, apart from what has already but rather Russian. Concerning the many of the issues have not been been done. Romanian language, there is a good discussed or solved because of lack of beginning and we hope to continue communication. It was in this context Lina Grâu: When talking about with studying it in the region. There that the working group was formed the Gagauz autonomy, the parallel are already groups in pre-school - to improve the communication, to with the Transnistrian region and the institutions with Romanian language see what the problems are and to get separatist phenomenon appears. We as well as in schools. Gradually, things involved in solving these problems. have also witnessed the statements will improve also in this direction. by the Bashkan that the geostrategic

hand, the economic indicators are lower Vadim Ceban: We need compared to other regions. However, we have some encouraging Romanian and Gagauz elements – the industrial production is increasing - last year it increased by 20 percent- as well as the exports. Last language study programmes but not least, we registered an increase by almost 33% in the revenues of the regional budget last year. This gives adim Ceban, First Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of Gagauzia us the opportunity to invest more in Vand former Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Moldova, says infrastructure, because this is one of the that all problems at the country level are also present in the autonomy, yet the region’s biggest problems. We also want poverty and migration are higher in the Gagauz region than in the rest of the to be more active in attracting private country. According to him, the Chisinau governmental teams have acted more as investment in the region. firefighters in eliminating certain conflicts, instead of having concrete reform plans for the Gagauz autonomy. And of course, we confront the same problems as the Republic of Moldova. This is migration and decrease in the stable population. Many people leave for abroad for jobs and lately there have been already a migration of families, together with children. We have a rather high birth rate compared to other southern districts and the kindergartens are almost full, but we also have very many children who after the gymnasium stage leave the country. It is a phenomenon characteristic to the whole country, but in Gagauzia this is particularly acute.

The social side is a great concern for us, because most of the population’s income comes from the agricultural sector. The number of the rural population is fairly high and for most of the citizens the remittances and social assistance Lina Grâu: What is the social- average. In addition, we have a very high is the second largest source of income. economic situation of the Gagauz percentage of people included in the In this case, the solution could be to autonomy? According to the statistical socially vulnerable category. We have create jobs in sectors such as agriculture, data, the population of the autonomous over 12 thousand disabled people and manufacturing and other industries. region of Gagauzia has the lowest with 27 thousand employees this is an This is the priority number one for the income and standard of living in the enormous number and a huge burden regional authorities. Republic of Moldova. How do you on the social budget. explain this? Lina Grâu: Mr Ceban, what does the As far as communities are concerned, on cooperation with the central authorities Vadim Ceban: If we talk about the the one hand, we are in a rather good look like? average salaries in the economy and position in terms of social infrastructure the real sector, in Gagauzia, they are - water, sewerage, gas, internet, Vadim Ceban: At this moment we by 25 percent lower than the national communications, but on the other are working very actively with the Government, which approved an action

plan for improvement of the social social infrastructure from the Turkish district with five communities being part and economic situation that includes Government through the TIKA Agency, of it. It is a successful 7.5 million Euros measures in the area of education, we work with other donor institutions, project that has proven its effectiveness. health, social aspects, infrastructure, and we are having some social and economy, transport, etc. humanitarian projects with the Russian In addition, most of the Turkish Federation. We are trying to get as much investments are in the area of social We are glad that in 2016 a Government extra-budgetary funds as possible, as it infrastructure. One of the projects is meeting took place in Avdarma, is obvious that the budget sources are building a kindergarten and another- Gagauzia, which took several permanently limited. rehabilitating a health centre in Comrat decisions regarding the increase in the for 30 people based on international investments in the infrastructure of the Lina Grâu: You mentioned that you standards. Also in Comrat we are autonomy. Here we can talk about a are trying to focus on investments. What building a modern high school with the segment of the road along Avdarma that investments do you have and where did support of the Turkish Government and is an attraction not only for us but also they come from? TIKA Agency. for the southern part of the Republic of Moldova. The Government decided Vadim Ceban: Most of investments In addition to this, we have signed a to allocate for this road 5 million MDL come from our own private sources - roadmap of 20 projects with TIKA. One the last year and another 20 million this that is, local investors. Last but not least, of the biggest projects is the water year. we are talking about investments coming supply system in the town of Vulcanesti from the European Union. We have a big of UTA Gagauzia, which amounts to over Last but not least, we are glad that after Romanian company. We have Turkish five million Euros. the last approval of the methodology of investors that are mainly active in the the allocation of financial resources for light industry – the largest company is We are working also with other donors the maintenance of local roads, for the Alternative Style that has four factories and development partners. Last year, first time ever, Gagauzia will receive over in the textile sector and employs more the EU-funded Start Program worth 30 million MDL, of which equal amounts than 1500 people. 6.5 million Euros was launched for UTA will be distributed to communities, Gagauzia and Taraclia in the agricultural while part of money will remain in the So most of the investments are from and rural business development regional budget in order to rehabilitate Turkey and the EU. In the early 2000s sectors. The project is successful and the regional roads. This is a step forward there were Russian investments in the we are having already the first results. and we hope to cooperate even more region –mostly in wineries. In the future, Several localities in UTA Gagauzia will closely with the Chisinau Government in we would like to capitalize on the trend get funding for one social-cultural and the future. that exists at the national level in the infrastructure unit from this programme wiring industry and production of spare in the amount between one and two mln Last but not least, it was also important parts for cars. And we are having quite MDL, including the contribution of the to create the Agency for Regional an interesting programme in this area regional budget. Development in the Autonomous - we are working with the Moldovan Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, which Investment and Export Promotion Lina Grâu: The statistics show that hadn’t been created after the approval Organisation (MIEPO) and with a GIZ after 2011 there has been an increased of the Law on the Development of the team. interest of the EU in the Gagauz Regions. In 2016 we started the activity autonomy. How do you explain this? of this agency and there are already Lina Grâu: You also mentioned the five projects that will be carried out at foreign projects and grants coming Vadim Ceban: For many years until the regional level and will get financing to the Gagauz region. What are the now, UTA Gagauzia has been deprived from the National Fund for Regional areas they are earmarked for? The of funds from the national budget, Development in the amount of more statistics say that since 2011, the credits compared to other districts. The than 60 million MDL. and grants from foreign donors have recent statistics show that the value of increased approximately fourfold. investments per capita from the national We are working very actively with budget is much lower in the autonomy donors. We have support programmes Vadim Ceban: We are also working than in the neighbouring districts - from the European Union, we also with the EBRD- we have a large water Hincesti, Cahul and others. have support programmes for the and sewerage project in the Ciadir-Lunga

But I think this was caused also by weak have very good relations with Turkey, having a concrete plan of reforms to be communication between the central and Russia, and CIS countries, which are heard and brought to the attention of regional authorities. I am not saying that actually the basic consumers of our people. anyone is to blame, but I think this has products. It has been historically determined the EU and other donors to established that the region is And the fact that these issues have increase their project portfolio in the region. predominantly agrarian and there are persisted for 20 years have created a at least 15 wineries that traditionally critical mass of problems that led to the I think that also the political factor is an export wines to the Eastern markets. referendum in 2014. important element after the Republic And we cannot fail to take this into of Moldova signed the Association account, because if we don’t develop In my opinion, there is another problem Agreement with the European Union. this sector, we cannot say that we have a that should be of concern to the central regional economy. Government and that has to do with Lina Grâu: What do you mean by this? learning the official language - be it On the other hand, I do not want to called Romanian or Moldovan. And the Vadim Ceban: I mean that the enter into geopolitical talks. We have the second aspect, it is very important for us development of all regions needs to be results of the consultative referendum to study our native language- the Gagauz balanced in order to be able to cope that took place in 2014 within which language. In addition, any reform in the with the challenges arising from the the citizens of the Republic of Moldova central and regional public administration Association Agreement, including in who live in the autonomous region should be consulted. We don’t want the area of regional development. The have expressed their opinion regarding to hear any more that one or another Agreement has a chapter on regional the external integration. But it is only service that has worked here for decades development that provides for a balanced a consultative referendum. For us has been liquidated or reorganized development of each region in relation it is important that the Republic of without taking into account the opinion to the country average - this is also Moldova be independent, sovereign and of the authorities in the region. important for the development partners. comply with the Law approved by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova Lina Grâu: Mr. Ceban, it is always Lina Grâu: Mr Ceban, this means in 1994 on the special legal status of when speaking of the separatist that the EU is de facto an advocate Gagauzia. phenomenon in the Republic of of the autonomy and a supporter of Moldova, after Transnistria, that they the social projects in the region that is Lina Grâu: You have worked for a long mention the Gagauz autonomy. I have interested in raising the living standards. time in the Government of Chisinau and heard more and more foreign experts On the other hand, we know that the now you are working for the autonomy lately talking about the fact that the Bashkan, Irina Vlah, had some rather executive. The 2014 referendum you Gagauz autonomy could be turned into tough statements about the EU, saying have referred to was somehow a a successful model. Do you think there is the autonomy does not support the culmination of the existent tensions potential for Gagauzia to become a kind European integration model of the between Chisinau and Comrat. What of peaceful and efficient solution to a Republic of Moldova and that she were the causes of these tensions and separatist conflict in Southeast Europe? is in favour of the Russian-oriented do you think the dialogue between development vector. How can one Chisinau and Comrat has improved? Vadim Ceban: Yes, I think so. This understand these two realities? phenomenon and this model can serve Vadim Ceban: I think the cause of the as example for regulating such kind of Vadim Ceban: The reality on the tensions was the lack of communication. conflicts. Obviously we are not saying ground is that our basic objective is the The second reason is that here live that our example is an ideal one. And we social and economic development of the the same citizens of the Republic of see that there are problems that have region. If the projects are implemented Moldova as in other regions, but no one were not solved in the 1990s, 2000 and, by different donors and they are aimed communicated with them, while the respectively, they still persist. But as an at raising the standard of living of rights and powers of the autonomy were example of strengthening the society citizens, we are ready to work with permanently infringed upon by Chisinau. and national consensus between two anyone, including the EU and other We have strongly felt this here. ethnicities within a state - why not? It can development partners. be used. And we are ready to contribute The Government teams, whatever to this process. But obviously, there On the other hand, we are saying they have been, have acted more as must be understanding at the country, that the relations with our traditional firefighters in order to stave off certain Parliament and Government levels, but partners must not be broken. We can outbreaks and problems, instead of also there must be a national consensus.

EU states that provide assistance and grants. It is about infrastructure and agriculture - these are the areas most targeted by these grants. For example, the Government of Romania has provided grants for the renovation of kindergartens in the region. It is also about sewerage, water supply systems, and public services.

Lina Grâu: We see that a significant part of the donations and grants come from the EU. However, the Comrat authorities, including the Bashkan, say that the strategic course of the Gagauz autonomy is towards Russia and the Eurasian Union. How do you explain this? And how can this element of separatism that existed in the early 1990s be overcome? They tried to solve the problem, but it seems it couldn’t Veaceslav Berbeca: Even if there is tension been totally resolved. Veaceslav Berbeca: However, I would like to say that in their statements, between Comrat and Chisinau, we cannot the Gagauz authorities have been actually trying to point out that they will be paying great attention to their talk about separatism relationship with the Russian Federation and that this relationship is a priority eaceslav Berbeca, an expert with IDIS Viitorul, says the Russian for the Executive Committee of the VFederation has a huge influence on the Gagauz autonomy, but even if Autonomous Region. There are several there is tension between the central and Comrat authorities, we cannot talk explanations for that. One basic point about separatism in the case of Gagauzia- Comrat is only trying to attract is that most of the citizens living in this attention and obtain more funds. But a fair administration of the autonomy region are pro-Russians. Many of them would help Chisinau in the negotiations on the Transnistrian settlement, work in the Russian Federation and this thinks Veaceslav Berbeca. connection marks their foreign policy options when they have to choose between the East and the West. Lina Grâu: The statistics say that the Gagauzian autonomy is one of Lina Grâu: Statistics show that in The second reason is that this region the poorest regions of the Republic recent years the amount of credits and is Russian speaking. And when we talk of Moldova in terms of population’s grants provided to the Gagauz autonomy about the influence of the Russian media income. How do you explain this? has increased significantly. Where does we have to understand that it is very the funding come from and for what big. The Russian media is overwhelming Veaceslav Berbeca: There are several areas? in this region, which is why we can explanations for this situation. Firstly, understand this attitude of the citizens in this region, certain branches of Veaceslav Berbeca: Indeed, the of this region. Unfortunately, very few industry have not been developed even number of projects has increased and speak Romanian language and the few in the USSR. Another aspect is that the most of them come from the EU. Turkey, TV stations in Romanian language are Gagauz region predominantly focuses on of course, is one of the most important not popular there. This is how we can agricultural products that produce less partners of the Gagauz Autonomous explain the big influence of the Russian value than the services or industry. Region. In addition, there are several Federation whose messages about the

EU and the West are well known. between Chisinau and the Gagauz just recommendations by the Gagauz authorities is that Chisinau should abide authorities aimed at resolving certain And obviously, taking into account these by the 1994 Law on the special status disputes. The fact that they have not options for the residents of the region, of the region and if it complies with this become laws is a drawback of this the politicians in Gagauzia are clinging law and supports the Gagauz autonomy, working group as its functionality is to these approaches and attitude. This we will send a signal to the Transnistrian questionable. People are wondering is the explanation why the leaders of region that we have not only granted how efficient and functional this the region are always trying to obtain this status of autonomy to Gagauzia but working group is if it hasn’t produced political dividends on the pro-Russian also respect it. The central authorities any concrete results. And this is a big attitude of the Gagauz people. of the Republic of Moldova declared problem. many times that they would grant a Lina Grâu: I have heard several voices special status to the Transnistrian region. The second issue is that this working saying that the investments that have Here we can invoke this parallel - once group has not met since June 2016. come from the European Union in the we have granted a certain status to the No meetings took place, no decisions Gagauz autonomy in recent years and autonomous region and respect it, this have been taken. And this again is a big this particular attention paid to the can be an advantage for the Republic problem because this big break is not autonomy comes from the desire to of Moldova in its relations with the helping to resolve the disagreements create a positive precedent in Gagauzia Transnistrian region, when we are talking and misunderstandings between for the resolution of separatist conflicts, about granting a special status that the central and Gagauz authorities. including for the Transnistrian one. Do would be functional as well. However, there are quite a lot of you think it is possible to produce a misunderstandings, most of them having “success story” in Gagauzia of solving Lina Grâu: The working group that to do with powers and attributions. separatism problems? was created in Chisinau and Comrat for communication purposes at the The Law on the Special Status of Veaceslav Berbeca: I would, legislative level, how efficient is it? Is it Gagauz Autonomy from 1994 is rather however, delineate the situation in the necessary and can we expect concrete old, it has not been amended for 23 Gagauz region of what we have in the results? years. The law is very vague and leaves Transnistrian region. These are two room for interpretations, which is why totally different issues and I do not think Veaceslav Berbeca: It is definitely disagreements arise between Chisinau we should put them in the same basket, necessary. Such working groups should and Comrat, and the Gagauz authorities because the Gagauz politicians, every exist and work, because they are non- say that Chisinau does not respect the time they take a harder stance on what personalized working groups that have attributions and competences of the is happening in Chisinau, they point out representatives of the Gagauz People’s Gagauz autonomy. that through their actions they are not Assembly and the Parliament of the trying to put separatism forward, but Republic of Moldova that together have Lina Grâu: In your view, which would on the contrary, they are trying to make to take decisions on the complicated be the few steps that could lead to Chisinau pay more attention to their problems in the relations between an improvement of the situation in problems. the central authorities and Gagauz Gagauzia on the one hand and, on autonomy. There are many issues to be the other hand, to the removal of Even though there is tension between discussed and resolved, which is why this issue from the public agenda, Gagauz autonomy and central such a working group is important. including the associations between the authorities, we can’t talk about Gagauzian autonomy and the separatist separatism in this case. Yes, there are Regarding its functioning, we can phenomenon? Because we see that indeed acts of intimidation, blackmail, give it a mark between 6 and 7 out after more than 20 years, we still cannot but this has been rather the message of of 10, because the very existence of talk in the Republic of Moldova about a some radical politician than a permanent a group is a positive thing. It has met unitary space – informational, cultural, approach by the authorities in this many times and adopted over 20 etc. region. decisions that are recommendatory. The problem is different - even if this Veaceslav Berbeca: I agree with what Getting back to your question, I would working group exists and has adopted you are saying. Several measures should like to say that one of the most often recommendations, the latter have be taken to resolve this issue. cited arguments as to the relations not become draft laws. There are

From my point of view, it would be very from the state budget. A lot of fees and baccalaureate was a big problem a good for this working group to develop taxes that are collected in the region few years ago, and secondly, if you and turn into a permanent committee remain one hundred percent in the do not know Romanian it is harder consisting of experts who know very well Gagauz autonomy. to integrate into the society of the the legal and economic issues, because Republic of Moldova. Even the people the proposed solutions depend very There are also different state in the autonomy posed the problem much on the quality of the participating organizations that allocate funds for of teaching Romanian in schools. This experts. different projects in the Gagauz region, would obviously be a good step towards and here I refer, for example, to the the reintegration of this region into the And, in my view, the delimitation of National Regional Development Fund. society of the Republic of Moldova. competencies is paramount. If the In January 2016, the programme document established in a clearer document of this Fund was adopted, Obviously, the geopolitical factor is also way the limits and competencies of which provides for allocation of money important. We know that the Russian the Gagauz autonomy, this would for five regional development projects Federation is very active in this region- solve many problems. Political will is for the Gagauz autonomy. This is the first more informationally and politically needed in this case and it should come time that money for UTA Gagauzia will than financially. But Russia also both from the Gagauz autonomy and be allocated to the National Regional indirectly supported the region. Several Chisinau. Because as long as we follow Development Fund. There are other years in a row, when the Moldovan the 1994 law that has not been changed projects, for example in agriculture. So agricultural products were banned for a long time and which is an obsolete money is being allocated, therefore we in Russia, restrictions were lifted for law, tensions will emerge permanently. cannot talk about lack of attention from some companies in the Gagauz region. Chisinau. Here, obviously, the Russian Federation In addition, Chisinau should pay applied a discriminatory approach and attention to other issues related to Another thing that is being discussed we understand that this feeds the pro- the situation in the Gagauz autonomy. and which is a stringent need is the Russian spirits from the Republic of If we are talking about the economic Romanian language. Chisinau should Moldova. It was, of course, an economic aspects, the Gagauz autonomy should pay more attention to teaching the support, but the Russian Federation was not consider itself as being neglected Romanian language in this region. pursuing its goals of supporting the pro- by Chisinau from the economic and This problem has been left unresolved Russian sentiments in the Gagauz region. financial perspective, because more than and without much attention which half of the autonomy budget is transfers has generated tension. Also the

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, social democratic solutions to current and future problems of the society. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung has been active in the Republic of Moldova since October 2002.

Monthly Bulletin, Nr. 4 (134), May 2017 64, Sciusev str. MD-2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, Tel-Fax: +373 22 21 09 86 Website: www.ape.md E-mail: [email protected]