The European Parliament ratified the EU- Moldova Association Agreement

By Elvita Mertins

Brussels – During the plenary session on 13th of November the majority of members of the European Parliament (EP) voted in favor of the ratification of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement (AA). The Agreement will bring Moldova closer to the EU by speeding up political association, economic integration, and gradual access to the EU’s Internal Market economy. Furthermore, this includes the setting up of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), which is a cornerstone part of the Agreement. To enter into force, the Agreement also needs to be ratified by the national parliaments of each EU member-states.

Following the negotiations to establish the Agreement, a number of reforms have been implemented in recent years therefore Moldova is considered as a success story of the European Union’s Eastern Partnership (EaP) initiative. However, the country still faces some issues, which can be seen as challenges ahead within implementation of the AA.

First and foremost, central and local authorities are extremely inefficient with a poor institutional capacity to implement laws. Consequently, it might cause some difficulties in applying and managing smoothly fiscal and competition policy reforms. Furthermore, a high corruption level reported puts on a risk the use of a financial support from the EU transparently. It compromises not only a proper absorption of EU financial support, but also further democratic process as well.

Another factor that could cool down the relations between the EU and Moldova within the framework of the (EaP) initiative is still the unresolved Transnistria conflict. The separatist region of Transnistria split off from Moldova in the 1990s and declared its independence. The region has been supported by the Russian government, yet it is not acknowledged on an international level and it is identified as an integral part of Moldova. The aforementioned problem may lead to difficulties when applying the AA in the Transnistria’ region and it may cause an increase political tension between Chisinau and Tiraspol.

Last but not least, Moldova has been depended on Russia for energy supplies. This fact allows Moscow to use energy as a political weapon to achieve its political ambitions and it is making continues efforts to keep Moldova in its hands.

The forthcoming parliamentary elections in November 2014 is a good opportunity for Russian government to increase its pressure on Moldova while supporting anti-European political groups. The success of the implementation of the AA and the advancement of Moldavian integration process depend mostly on the political developments which will be taken in Moldova after the elections. Despite forenamed problems, Moldova has been achieved positive results in many areas on the road to the AA. It is very important that EU officials make plans to deal with Russian economic embargo and to prepare an action agenda to assist Chisinau on resisting the Russian pressure during the parliamentary elections, before the Association Agreement enters into force.