IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA … · An assessment of the Regional Cooperation...

DIETMAR AIGNER

IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA PARTICIPATION IN THE REGIONAL INITIATIVES DURING 2008-2009

An assessment of the Regional Cooperation component under UNDP Project “Building Institutional Capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European

Integration” including the regional presidencies held by the Republic of Moldova during 2008- 2009 and its social and economic development towards European

Integration

FINAL REPORT

Chisinau

16 December 2009

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the UNDP Programme in Moldova. This report has been prepared as a result of an independent assessment by the consultant being contracted under the UNDP

Programme.

Table of Contents

Impact Assessment of the Regional Presidencies held by the Republic of Moldova during 2008- 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS

PREFACE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................... I

MAIN REPORT ....................................................................................................................... 1

1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background and Context ...................................................................................... 1 1.2 Objectives and Scope of the Assessment ............................................................ 2 1.3 Assessment Approach and Methods .................................................................... 2

2. ASSESSMENT FINDINGS .......................................................................................... 4 2.1 Assistance for supporting Moldova's regional presidencies addressed real

needs. .................................................................................................................. 4 2.2 Regional cooperation outputs were satisfactorily produced. ................................. 5 2.3 Support objectives were achieved but specific results are limited. ........................ 6 2.4 Assistance contributed to positive political impacts but not all opportunities for

timely legislative, administrative and socio-economic impacts were used............. 6 2.5 Prospects for institutional sustainability need to build up further, administrative

sustainability problematic. .................................................................................. 12 3. THE WAY FORWARD ............................................................................................... 14

3.1 Conclusions ....................................................................................................... 14 3.2 Recommendations ............................................................................................. 16

ANNEXES ............................................................................................................................. 19

Annex 1 – Terms of Reference .......................................................................................... 20 Annex 2 – Assessment Criteria and Assessment Indicators .............................................. 24 Annex 3 – SEECP Presidency - Activities, Outcomes and Impacts.................................... 26 Annex 4 – CEI Presidency - Activities, Outcomes and Impacts .......................................... 34 Annex 5 – MAG RACVIAC Presidency - Activities, Outcomes and Impacts ....................... 43 Annex 6 – SEEHN Presidency - Activities, Outcomes and Impacts ................................... 45 Annex 7 – CEFTA Presidency - Activities, Outcomes and Impacts .................................... 47 Annex 8 – List of Interviews ............................................................................................... 50 Annex 9 – List of Documents reviewed .............................................................................. 54

Glossary


GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS

BSEC Black Sea Economic Cooperation

CEFTA Central European Free Trade Agreement

CEI Central European Initiative

DCP Danube Cooperation Process

DPPI Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative

EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

ENP European Neighbourhood Programme

FP Framework Programme

GRECO The Council of Europe's Group of States against Corruption

IFI International Financing Institution

IPA Instrument for Pre-Accession

MAG RACVIAC Multinational Advisory Group of the Centre for Security Cooperation

MARRI Migration, Asylum, Refugee Regional Initiative

MoFAEI Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration

NTB Non-Tariff Barriers in Trade

PPP Public Private Partnership

RAI Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative

RCC Regional Cooperation Council

SAA Stabilisation and Association Agreement

SAI Supreme Audit Institution

SEE South Eastern Europe

SECI South Eastern European Cooperation Initiative

SECE-CRIF South Eastern and Central European Catastrophe Insurance Facility

SEECP South Eastern European Cooperation Process

SEEHN South Eastern European Health Network

SEEFREC South Eastern European Fire-fighting Regional Centre

SELEC South Eastern European Law Enforcement Centre

TBT Tariff Barriers in Trade

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

WHO World Health Organisation

Preface


PREFACE

This Impact Assessment covers UNDP assistance to the Republic of Moldova’s Regional Presidencies held in 2008/2009 financed under the Regional Cooperation component of the UNDP project “Building Institutional Capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration”. This Assessment Report has been prepared by Dietmar Aigner during the period from November to December 2009 and reflects the situation at 20 November 2009, the cut-off date for the Report. The factual basis is provided by formal project documentation, the Republic of Moldova’s reports on the individual chairmanships, other relevant sectoral and regional documents and materials, and interviews with the main parties. A draft version of this Assessment Report has been distributed for comments to the involved parties and comments have been received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova and the UNDP Programme in Moldova. Comments have been incorporated into the report. The Assessment Report has been subject to debriefing, held on 16 December 2009, at the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova.

Executive Summary

Impact Assessment of the Regional Presidencies held by the Republic of Moldova during 2008- 2009 I

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Introduction This Impact Assessment covers UNDP assistance to the Republic of Moldova’s Regional Presidencies held in 2008/2009 financed under the Regional Cooperation component of the UNDP project “Building Institutional Capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: Regional Cooperation”. This component aims at providing the necessary conditions for an active involvement by Moldova at all levels in the regional cooperation processes in South-Eastern Europe, with the scope of increasing the impact on its social and economic development leading towards European Integration. The Republic of Moldova has participated in regional cooperation processes for more than ten years, and cooperation in Central and South Eastern Europe (SEE) has become one of the main objectives of its foreign and internal policy. Its European integration policy is based on full and successful implementation of the EU-Republic of Moldova Action Plan and the opportunities presented by regional initiatives. Assessment findings Assistance for supporting Moldova’s regional presidencies addressed real needs when regional partners granted it the right to hold Presidencies in five organizations almost simultaneously. Previous involvement in regional cooperation processes had been modest and the provision of funding for co-financing regional Presidencies has been appropriate. The activities proposed were in line with the relevant UNDP partnership strategies for Moldova and ownership has been integrated into the design. From the ex-post perspective the Regional Cooperation project component has addressed real needs. Regional cooperation outputs were satisfactorily produced despite the high number of planned outputs. Within the Regional Cooperation component there has been little provision of inputs that would directly produce capacity building outcomes. Feedback from participants confirms that the events were organised in a professional manner leading to an efficient use of funds, given the aim of the intervention. Support objectives were achieved but specific results are limited; project design was effective and pragmatic though not ambitious in its planned activities. However, the specific objective: to increase impact of Moldova’s participation in the regional cooperation processes on its social and economic development was very ambitious, and the extent to which this has been achieved by the project has to be seen at present as minor in relation to the much larger external factors affecting rates of economic growth and social development.

Assistance has contributed to positive political impacts but not all opportunities for timely legislative, administrative and socio-economic impacts were used. The Moldovan leadership has helped to make further progress in these transition processes and so has facilitated political and institutional change. The Moldovan SEECP (South Eastern European Cooperation Process) and CEI (Central European Initiative) chairmanships have received positive recognition by member states. Positive impacts from Moldova’s participation in the SEECP and RCC are likely to materialise in the near future by bringing the Country closer to further EU funding possibilities. There has been good sectoral performance and progress made in a number of initiatives placed under the SEECP umbrella, for example, fighting cyber-crime, however, some initiatives such as increased mobility and less restricted visa regimes are still struggling, consequently, socio-economic impacts in terms of increased freedom of movement have not yet materialised.

Executive Summary

Impact Assessment of the Regional Presidencies held by the Republic of Moldova during 2008- 2009 II

Moldova had to chair the CEI Presidency at a decisive period for the organization and has assisted the Secretariat with the establishment of the CEI Network of Focal Points. In sectoral terms, cooperation on phytosanitary issues and agricultural trade promotion are progressing well, but the CEI initiative to raise mobility of youth for the purpose of education and training has made little progress. The lack of funding for science and for researchers’ mobility seriously affects their involvement in cross-border research. The CEI partnership has helped to facilitate agreements with the EBRD concerning reconstruction of Chisinau airport and Moldova is introducing a project on digital tachographs which will also provide a pilot case for implementing Public Private Partnership Principles in the transport sector. The MAG RACVIAC (Multinational Advisory Group of the Centre for Security Cooperation) Chairmanship has promoted Moldova as a viable partner in SEE in the fields of defence and regional security but specific impacts from the MAG RACVIAC Chairmanship are barely visible at the time of this assessment. On the operational side, RACVIAC co-organized operational partnerships including the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative, and the Migration, Asylum, Refugee Regional Initiative. Solutions for resolving the remaining issues in respect of RACVIAC’s future are expected during 2010. During its SEEHN (South Eastern European Health Network) Presidency, Moldova achieved the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the future of SEEHN in the framework of the South East European Cooperation Process 2008 and beyond. Overall, the impact from Moldova’s participation in the SEEHN is beneficial but the implementation of such substantial public health reforms will be challenging. Special attention was given on the creation of the CEFTA (Central European Free Trade Agreement) secretariat which supports the CEFTA Joint Committee and in particular, the Chair in Office. Overall progress in reducing trade barriers has been evident from the activities initiated during Moldova’s CEFTA Presidency. The capacity building impact remains limited because the assistance has focused on facilitating Moldova’s regional presidencies rather than less on directly increasing political and administrative capacities. Capacity building impacts are mostly in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MoFAEI) and line institutions involved in the Presidencies. For a country in transition such as Moldova, there is a need to improve public education to open a wider discussion on appropriate methods of implementing improvements and obligations. Prospects for institutional sustainability need to build up further, administrative sustainability remain weak and the future of many initiatives still remains uncertain. The MoFAEI is currently undertaking an evaluation of the various regional initiatives with the aim of assessing costs and benefits because future events will need national budget funding. This constraint is set against the background of Moldova’s increased interest to further adapt to European integration issues and to negotiate an Association Agreement with the EU. Donor support for assisting with co-financing of specific actions would be well received. Conclusions Overall, there has been good progress in Moldova’s regional cooperation but more needs to be done in the light of future challenges. Moldova has made impressive progress and is an accepted member within the various initiatives for regional cooperation. But, without the donor support under review, such professional organisation and performance would not have been possible. But, for a country aiming at a more coherent regional cooperation process, it is too ambitious to expect all sectors to have the capacity to create clear strategies, programme results-based and fully budgeted action plans, and to implement them. Therefore, some prioritisation in the regional engagement needs to be considered.

Executive Summary

Impact Assessment of the Regional Presidencies held by the Republic of Moldova during 2008- 2009 III

Moldova’s effective regional cooperation requires enforcement of strategic approaches. There is a strong interest by Moldova in benefiting from the EU’s four freedoms potential areas for cooperation with the EU include a free trade agreement, liberalisation of the visa regime and sectoral cooperation all areas that are also of direct relevance for regional cooperation processes. A number of initiatives need to be implemented or completed by line ministries, especially in the areas of freedom of movement, education and, in due course, health provision, before significant socio-economic impacts can materialise. Leadership and ownership in regional cooperation are not yet fully applied principles by Moldova. By perceiving regional cooperation as an important and significantly beneficial process, generating a visible added value in the European integration processes, Moldova has proven its readiness and the political will to assume, share and apply the regional ownership and leadership principles in the South East European regional cooperation process. Financing and fund raising in regional cooperation remain weak compared with the achievements expected from participating in the various initiatives. The various regional organisations, initiatives and processes offer considerable funding opportunities, at least for smaller sector projects. Such funds are still not maximised by line ministries. Identified uneven sectoral impacts require action. There remain a number of areas where actions are required, in particular, the strengthening of the efficiency and effectiveness of regional operations. The overall functioning of the CEI Focal Point Network interaction mechanism requires reinforcement. However, capacity building in regional cooperation is needed and should be closely linked to European integration objectives. Recommendations Action 1: Strengthen strategic approach to regional cooperation activities The MoFAEI should:

• Planning a more strategic engagement in the various regional initiatives by drawing up a rolling plan covering at least three years for engagement in the most important regional cooperation processes;

• Ensure that all prioritised regional cooperation activities and projects are harmonised and coordinated with EU integration plans and ENPI objectives;

• Promote the use of twinning possibilities with EU member states, as offered in a number of regional initiatives, notably by the CEI.

The Moldovan government should ensure more public administrative capacity is in place in the event of a decision to further transfer responsibilities for regional cooperation to line institutions. Action 2: Enforce leadership and ownership principles in regional cooperation The Government of Moldova should encourage the secondment of Moldovan representatives into secretariats and should actively support the incorporation of Moldovan applicants in the staff recruitment processes. Action 3: Further increase active finance and fund raising in regional cooperation The MoFAEI should ask the secretariats for a systematic review of their fund-raising and IFI coordination capacities, and should agree on ways to improve performance especially value-for-money in this area.

Executive Summary

Impact Assessment of the Regional Presidencies held by the Republic of Moldova during 2008- 2009 IV

The MoFAEI should consider with the line institutions involved a systematic inventory of project funding possibilities available within the various regional cooperation processes. Action 4: Increase impact in various sectoral aspects of regional cooperation The Ministry of Education and Culture should follow up the detailed progress made in improving particular youth and mobility issues. The Government of Moldova should consider supporting the Ministry of Health’s application for first regional health development centre, including logistical and resource support. The MoFAEI should consider ways to strengthen expert networks by requesting external experts from EU-15 member states. The MoFEIA, as national CEI coordinator, should request from the CEI secretariat an experts’ review of the functioning of the Moldovan Focal Points. Further capacity building in regional cooperation is needed and should be closely combined with European integration efforts. The MoFAEI should make EU training obligatory for all officials involved in regional cooperation and EU integration. Moldova should be encouraged to establish or improve a central civil service training institution.

Introduction

Impact Assessment of the Regional Presidencies held by the Republic of Moldova during 2008- 2009 1

MAIN REPORT 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background and Context For more than ten years, the Republic of Moldova has actively participated in regional cooperation processes and cooperation in the Central and South Eastern Europe (SEE) has become one of the main objectives of its foreign and internal policy. Involvement in the initiatives and processes from the Central and SEE has marked a significant advance in the process of strengthening the objective of alignment of Moldova with values, principles and European standards. Moldova’s European integration policy is based on the full and successful implementation of the EU-Republic of Moldova Action Plan and the opportunities presented by its active participation in regional initiatives and processes in SEE, such as the Stability Pact for the South Eastern Europe; South East European Cooperation Process; Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), South Eastern Europe Cooperation Initiative (SECI); Central European Initiative; Danube Cooperation Processes (DCP); the Energy Community Treaty and the new Central European Free Trade Agreement. In this context, during 2008-2009, the Republic of Moldova took over the Presidency of several regional initiatives:

• South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) • Central European Initiative (CEI) • Multinational Advisory Group of the Centre for Security Cooperation (MAG RACVIAC) • South East European Health Network (SEEHN) • Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA)

The Presidencies in Central and SEE are connected, and aimed at contributing to the advancement of the Republic of Moldova in the process of European Integration, especially through the implementation of the EU processes, and programmes of adjustment towards European values. However, the state budget allocates only limited resources for engagement in regional cooperation processes. The UNDP project “Building Institutional Capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration” has been formulated through a joint effort from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MoFAEI) and UNDP with the overall objective of strengthening the institutional capacity of the MoFAEI, so that it can exercise its functions in a more efficient manner, operate transparently and fulfil its European Integration commitments. The project has three interlinked, yet distinct components:

1. Institutional Capacity Building 2. Regional Cooperation 3. Communications and Public Relations

The project, with a total budget of €1,100,760, has been funded by the Swedish International Development Agency, the Austrian and Estonian Governments and the UNDP. The Austrian funding (€500,000) has been provided through the UNDP Thematic Trust Fund and focuses on the Regional Cooperation component. Some of the activities are implemented with contributions from the Moldova state budget.

Introduction


The Regional Cooperation component aims at providing the necessary conditions for an active involvement of the Republic of Moldova at all levels in regional cooperation processes in South-Eastern Europe, with the intention of increasing the impact of Moldova’s participation in the regional cooperation processes on its social and economic development, leading towards European Integration. 1.2. Objectives and scope of the Assessment The expected output from the International Consultant’s assignment is an assessment of the impact of the presidencies held by the Republic of Moldova during 2008- 2009 on its social and economic development towards the European Integration and the contribution that has been delivered by the UNDP Project “Building Institutional Capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration”. More specifically, the assessment is required by the Terms of Reference (see Annex 1) to address the following specific areas:

• Evaluate the activities organized by the Republic of Moldova within the SEECP, CEI and other regional initiatives (including the activity of Moldova’s representative to the RACVIAC) with regard to the priority domains of cooperation in the region of South Eastern Europe;

• Assess the impact of the presidencies held by the Republic of Moldova during 2008- 2009 on its social and economic development towards the European Integration;

• Analyze the quality of policy documents and project proposals adopted and initiated throughout the high level meetings;

• Assess the impact of the newly adopted documents on different domains of activity and their prolongation;

• Recommend specific actions to be taken in order to improve Moldova’s participation in the regional cooperation processes and to achieve developments towards European Integration;

• Evaluate Moldova’s new opportunities in contributing to the sustainable development of the South East Europe.

1.3. Assessment approach and methods The design of the assessment methodology is based on the objectives and scope defined by the Terms of Reference confirmed during the start-up meeting held at the MoFAEI on 9 November 2009. The methodology for preparing this report consisted of initial data collection, document research and literature survey, semi-structured interviews with Moldovan public authorities, beneficiary institutions, donor organisations and UNDP representatives (see Annex 8 and Annex 9). The assessment takes account of the UNDP’s current assessment guidelines1 and applies the following UNDP evaluation criteria to underpin the assessment’s objectives: relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability. Relevance concerns the extent to which a development initiative and its intended outputs or outcomes are consistent with national and local policies and priorities and the needs of the intended beneficiaries. Relevance also considers the extent to which the initiative is responsive to UNDP plans and priorities. It also incorporates the concept of responsiveness – the extent to which UNDP was able to adapt to changing and emerging development needs and priorities in a responsive manner.

1 UNDP: Handbook on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluating for Development Results; 2009.

Introduction


Efficiency measures how, economically, resources or inputs are converted into results. An initiative is efficient when it uses resources appropriately and economically to produce the desired outputs. Effectiveness is a measure of the extent to which the initiative’s intended results have been achieved or the extent to which progress toward outputs and outcomes has been achieved. Impact measures the changes in political, social, economic and human development and peoples’ well-being that are brought about by development initiatives, directly or indirectly, intended or unintended. Sustainability measures the extent to which benefits of initiatives continue after the external development assistance has come to an end. Assessing sustainability involves evaluating the extent to which relevant social, economic, political, institutional and other conditions are present and, based on that assessment, making projections about the national capacity to maintain, manage and guarantee the development results in the future. Assessment indicators in line with the assessment criteria are given in Annex 2.

Assessment Findings


2. ASSESSMENT FINDINGS This section examines the overall performance of Moldova’s regional presidencies, putting it also in the context of the related UNDP project component. The assessment is based on a consideration of needs and design, inputs/ outputs, results, impact and sustainability. A detailed description of activities, outcomes and impacts for each of the presidencies is given in Annexes 3 to 7 of this report. 2.1. Assistance for supporting Moldova’s regional presidencies addressed real needs Following the establishment of the Stability Pact for SEE in 1999, SEE countries have organized themselves remarkably well, successfully promoting a whole range of regional interests. Most regional cooperation organizations also have EU member states as participants (e.g. Austria and Italy in the CEI). Before the EU-Moldova Integration Action Plan and the European Neighbourhood Policy were designed, regional partnership was the only available tool for Moldova to transform itself and to interact with European institutions within a multilateral structure. This represented also an important opportunity to broaden the spectrum of bilateral relations with the neighbouring states, to create an enhanced political dialogue within the region and also led to the first political alliances with EU member states. Thus participation in regional cooperation structures can be regarded as suitable preparation for ensuring adherence to the European norms and standards in the fields of democracy, human rights, economic, educational, security and justice areas and many others. No less important were the regional efforts to put in place mechanisms for combating corruption and organized crime, improving energy security, civil emergency response, etc. Consequently, regional cooperation has been an efficient instrument in respect of the most important objective of Moldova’s internal and external policy – European integration. Moldova’s commitment to regional cooperation has been acknowledged by its regional partners by granting it the right to hold Presidencies in five organizations almost simultaneously. In November 2007, Moldova took over the Presidency of the CEI for 2008; in 2008 Moldova began its yearly Chairmanship of the SEECP, and took over the Presidency of the MAG RACVIAC. In January 2008, Moldova took over the Chairmanship in the SEE Health Network (SEEHN) and took part in the modified CEFTA arrangements. Apart from the prestigious task of holding a Presidency within organizations that include EU and NATO member states, it also means substantial responsibility and the mobilization of all resources internally, in order to achieve a maximum of results for the region. Coordinating the agendas should ensure the continuity of the whole process and the avoidance of overlapping and duplication of efforts. Any Chairmanship needs to take into account the interests of all partners and, most importantly, not forget about their own. At the time of Moldova’s various Presidencies, the above-mentioned regional arrangements had been undergoing a process of profound change and transformation in order to better cope with current conditions and challenges ahead. For instance, the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe had been recently transformed into the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), with a headquarters and a functioning international secretariat lead by a secretary general. This new institutional element of SEE regional cooperation required a connection between the Chairmanship and the permanent secretariat. The actual involvement of Moldovan institutions in regional cooperation processes had been quite modest in the past. Prior to Moldova’s Presidencies, very few conferences and working meetings had been organized in Moldova. The main reason has been very limited resources donated by the Moldovan State budget for active engagement in the regional cooperation processes.

Assessment Findings


Against this constraint, the provision of funding for co-financing Moldova’s regional Presidencies has been appropriate. The activities proposed by the respective Project Documents are in line with the relevant UNDP partnership strategies for Moldova. Financial means have been provided for organising events in Moldova; for supporting Moldovan representatives involved in regional initiatives and processes, secretariats and offices; for Moldova’s participation in the regional initiatives and processes, including support for the participation of MFAEI, and other government and non-government staff in regional events. The project component has been formulated in close cooperation between MoFAEI and UNDP and thus ownership has been adequately integrated into the design. Also, from the ex-post perspective, the Regional Cooperation project component has addressed real needs. 2.2. Regional cooperation outputs were satisfactorily produced Despite the high number of planned outputs there have been no substantial difficulties detected with producing the expected outputs. Inputs comprised inter alia the funding of information technology and other office equipment, funding of internet and other office running costs, support staff such as translators, hotel accommodation and meals for guests, conference space, transportation, visibility costs and costs for representation. For out-of-country events, travel, accommodation and communication costs of Moldovan representatives were covered. Within the Regional Cooperation component there has been no provision of specific legal or consultancy support, or the provision of other inputs that directly would help to produce capacity building outcomes, however, the project component has funded for two years the secondment of the Moldova representative to RACVIAC. The outputs mainly consist of the various regional cooperation meetings, summits and conferences which have been successfully performed without major difficulties. Feedback from participants confirms that the events were organised and implemented in a professional manner. Thus, there has been an efficient use of funds given the aim of the intervention. The various secretariats established within the MoFAEI/ Regional Cooperation Department have managed their obligations in a professional and timely manner. Cooperation between MoFAEI and other concerned line ministries and State bodies in performing the Presidencies has been adequate. However, capacities within the line institutions for International relations and European integration and thus for managing regional cooperation processes, vary to a certain extent. The Regional Cooperation Directorate of the MoFAEI proved to be a dynamic driver, thus fostering an active management of the Presidencies in particular as well as overall for guiding Moldova’s regional cooperation processes in general. Organisational changes within the Moldovan administration, expected to be in place next year, are likely to lead to a merger of the Ministry’s South Eastern European Unit with the Central European Unit. The Department will then comprise a Central and South Eastern European Unit and a Unit dealing with Black Sea Cooperation. This can be regarded as positive since it should increase the efficiency of the MoFAEI’s regional cooperation operations. During the implementation periods of the various Presidencies, the overall political development in Moldova underwent substantial challenges, but this had little impact on the performance of the various regional activities. 2.3. Support objectives were achieved but specific results are limited Overall, the design of the Regional Cooperation project component was largely effective and pragmatic though not very ambitious in its planned activities. The purpose of the UNDP project component: “providing necessary conditions for an active involvement of the Republic of Moldova on all levels of regional cooperation processes in the South-Eastern Europe, these being complementary to the European integration process” has been largely achieved.

Assessment Findings


However, the specific objective: “Strengthened national political and operational capacity to increase impact of Moldova’s participation in the regional cooperation processes on its social and economic development leading towards European Integration through: (i) Supporting Moldova’s Chairmanship of SEECP; (ii) Supporting Moldova’s presidency of CEI; (iii) Strengthening regional cooperation in South East Europe” was very ambitious, most notably in respect of its socio-economic impact. Although the Presidencies in general and the project component in particular may have contributed in the longer term to socio-economic improvements, the extent of this has to be seen at present as minor in relation to the much larger external factors affecting rates of economic growth and social development.

Results produced by the various Moldovan’s Presidencies usually took the form of declarations, guidelines, conclusions, recommendations and other final documents. The quality of these documents has been adequate in the main and provided a concise picture of the discussions held and the decisions taken. The various documents produced under the Moldovan Presidencies demonstrate a high level of communication and agreement among the partners as concerns the principal issues and characteristic solutions for the region. Many of the statements, declarations and recommendations are broadly drafted, with general objectives. Specific, limited and time-bound statements, that explicitly define what is expected from the Moldovan and other counterparts are rare. This approach reflects well the common political and diplomatic practices, but does not facilitate systematic feedback and progress monitoring of the required actions. For better and fully transparent information, the Moldovan Presidencies were presented on a common website. This website has successfully facilitated the organisation of various regional events. The content of the website is informative, well presented and provides through the publication of all chairmanship reports, a valuable and transparent source of information for stakeholders and third parties taking interest in the regional cooperation processes. As a matter of good practice, such an effective communication instrument could be used by the Government of Moldova for the dissemination of information on future European integration issues. 2.4. Assistance has contributed to positive political impacts but not all opportunities for timely legislative, administrative and socio-economic impacts were used Overall political impact is appreciated Overall, from the assessment of Moldova’s recent Presidencies, it is apparent that regional cooperation, in particular in South Eastern Europe, is broadly accepted not only as a framework for the EU aspirations of the participating states, but as a whole to encourage democratic and economic transformation of potential EU members as well as for the engagement of individual EU member states in the process. Moldova’s regional chairmanships can be regarded as a valuable opportunity for a small state to assert itself as a reliable partner within the regional and wider European community. The direct benefits from the various initiatives within the regional cooperation process – stability, peace and a well structured and facilitated political dialogue among the region and also with the wider Europe - are obvious and are highly appreciated political impacts. As an important key political document, the Declaration of the Chisinau SEECP Summit has been well received. In the main, the Moldova’s Presidencies are an essential element for maintaining and further developing the regional cooperation process. Strong and innovative new initiatives have not usually been characteristic of the various Moldovan chairmanships, but this was expected because most of the various regional cooperation partnerships under review had been under transformation for some time. The Moldovan leadership has helped to make further progress in these transition processes and so has facilitated political and institutional change. The

Assessment Findings


Moldovan SEECP and CEI chairmanships have received positive recognition by member states. Sectoral impacts vary strongly Despite the positive overall political impact, the immediate and intermediate legislative, administrative and socio-economical impacts generated for Moldova from the outcomes of the different regional events are more difficult to assess and, overall, quite mixed. It is apparent that not all commitments given have progressed sufficiently or been put in practice in order to materialise as elements of change and improvement. Insufficient progress is partly related to external factors, such as the lengthy inter-regional ratification processes, or the ongoing discussions among partner states. In some cases Moldova’s parliamentary election period and subsequent political uncertainty has contributed to delays in implementing some of the commitment Moldova has made during its Presidencies. In a number of sectors, only very limited impacts were evident due to the fact that the underlying structural reforms remained incomplete or made only slow progress. Visa and funding difficulties have further limited the active involvement of Moldovan representatives in regional networks and projects outside of the Country. SEECP (see also Annex 3)

The Stability Pact in SEE has been reorganised with the establishment in February 2008 of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) which consolidates all the SEE processes and initiatives, with the SEECP being the supreme political forum. From assessing Moldova’s presidency of the SEECP, it has been confirmed that the SEECP acts well as the key political forum within the region. Establishment of the RCC and the operations of the RCC secretariat in particular have paved the way for more efficient and targeted activities within this important regional forum.

Feedback from beneficiaries confirms that the RCC functions as a focal point for regional cooperation in South East Europe. Supported by the Secretary General, its Secretariat based in Sarajevo and its Liaison Office in Brussels, the RCC provides the SEECP with operational capacities and facilitates the involvement of members of the international donor community in the region. Further positive impacts from Moldova’s participation in the SEECP and RCC are likely to materialise in the near future by bringing the Country closer to further EU funding possibilities. Moldova, being part of the European Neighbourhood Programme (ENP) and the upcoming Eastern partnership, can benefit only from the ENP financial instrument. The Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) specifically funds pre-accession activities for EU candidate countries and potential candidate countries in the Western Balkans, thus Moldova is not able to benefit directly from this programme. However, agreements with the European Commission are being sought via the RCC to allow Moldova’s participation and for financing individual projects within the regional bodies or regional initiatives in which Moldova participates. In particular, through the communication by the RCC, the possibility of financially benefiting from the framework defined by the multi-beneficiary IPA 2009-2011 Programme are promising, and Moldova has already submitted a list of project proposals. Such inclusion on a case-by-case basis could indeed bring Moldova closer in its European integration ambitions and the likely positive impact for Moldova’s economic and social development as well as for a better balanced development of the SEECP region is clear. There has been good sectoral performance and progress made by Moldova in a number of initiatives placed under the SEECP umbrella. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has been very active in promoting the need to fight cyber-crime. Moldova’s cyber-crime initiative found

Assessment Findings


strong support from all Members during the SEECP Conference of the Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs. In the meanwhile, Moldova’s commitment to this issue has materialised and a special cyber-crime unit at the Ministry of Internal Affairs is operational. Moldova’s active engagement in the SEECP’s Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) and in the initiative concerning cooperation among Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) has produced valuable administrative impacts that will have also beneficial socio-economic effects in the medium term. However, not all Moldovan initiatives have progressed well. SEECP initiatives to strengthen increased mobility and less restricted visa regimes are still struggling. After a promising start by reducing the burden of visa requirements, at least for experts within SEECP, the dissemination of visa simplifications across the broader population has made only little progress. Whilst the complexity of the visa facilitation and readmission issue for the region is well understood, the need to increase efforts in finding mutual solutions is pressing. Consequently, real socio-economic impacts in terms of increased freedom of movement have not materialised. CEI (see also Annex 4)

Moldova had to chair the CEI Presidency at a decisive period for the organization which had been implementing decisions regarding the CEI transformation relating to future needs. Moldova assisted the CEI Secretariat with the establishment of the CEI Network of Focal Points. Within the sectoral cooperation, the Moldovan Presidency also urged the involvement of the CEI National Focal Points in the working sessions. This was a pragmatic step taking into account the key role of the CEI National Focal Points in implementing many of the decisions made by the CEI.

The Moldovan Presidency worked hard on the successful accomplishment of the CEI repositioning and on the development of the CEI – EU relations. During its Presidency special attention was paid by Moldova to the promotion of common projects between the EU and the non-EU CEI member states. For instance, the Moldovan Presidency organized a special conference on project opportunities and a number of joint projects have been launched. The Moldovan CEI Focal Points that have been reviewed are operating in line with agreed activities, but there is room for further strengthening of the cooperation and communication among them. In specific sectoral terms, cooperation on phytosanitary issues is under preparation with Romania together with a proposed project on agricultural trade promotion where Poland will play Moldova’s partner. Further joint sectoral projects are being prepared with guidance from the CEI secretariat. The CEI initiative to raise mobility of youth for the purpose of education and training is of utmost importance, because it will produce immediate and direct socio-economic impacts for the population. However, the responsible Ministry of Education has made little progress in this area. Specific socio-economic impacts, in terms of increased youth mobility and improved education and qualifications, will need considerable time to materialise. The Roundtable Meeting of the CEI Ministers of the Economic Sectors took place within the framework of the 11th Summit Economic Forum. Moldova’s renewed commitment to strengthen its partnership with the EU was well received by the CEI community. The Roundtable was first opportunity to bring all CEI Ministers of Economy directly in touch with representatives from IFIs and other donors to take account of needs from the CEI perspective. The various presentations were of high quality and well received. Some participants missed the chance to discuss the various positions directly and thus to get into facilitated dialogue. This opportunity had not been foreseen by the organising CEI.

Assessment Findings


The 11th Summit Economic Forum offered Moldova a platform for presenting its economic and investment opportunities, giving Moldova strong visibility, with a large number of international participants and attracting great interest from the local press and international news agencies. Potential future socio-economic impact in terms of promoting Moldova to possible foreign investors, stronger interest by foreign investors and thus increased direct investments can be directly linked to this event.

In the area of science and research, the lack of funds and of mobility of Moldovan researchers seriously affects their actual involvement in cross-border research. It still appears difficult for Moldova to find partners for CEI or (Framework Programme) FP7 research projects.

Following the Meeting of the CEI Ministers of Transport, the CEI partnership has helped to facilitate agreements with the EBRD concerning reconstruction of Chisinau airport. Furthermore, Moldova is introducing in the near future a project on digital tachographs with CEI partners, which will also provide a pilot case for implementing Public Private Partnership Principles in Moldova’s transport sector. Thus, positive socio-economic impacts for the Moldovan transport sector are likely to appear, at least partly attributable to the Country’s engagement in the CEI.

Under Moldova’s Presidency, the CEI has demonstrated an important role in fostering political dialogue and cooperation among member states and by promoting more coordination of the activities. The revised focus, now offering more direct assistance to the non-EU member states via joint projects (the CEI’s Technical Cooperation Projects and Know How Exchange Programme) points in the right direction, namely, by making the provision and exchange of good expertise as concrete and as practical as possible. Strengthening of such activities is also envisaged by the new leadership of the CEI secretariat. However, all the Moldovan stakeholders interviewed assessed the functioning of the CEI Network of Focal Points as rather ineffective due to a lack of interaction and communication. The perspective for achieving good impacts from CEI projects is positive, provided that the networking of the Focal Points is significantly strengthened and intensified.

MAG RACVIAC (see also Annex 5)

The MAG RACVIAC Chairmanship in Office by Moldova has contributed to the promotion of Moldova as a viable partner in SEE in the fields of defence and regional security but specific impacts from the MAG RACVIAC Chairmanship are barely visible at the time of this assessment.

On the operational side, in order to respond to changing needs, RACVIAC co-organized its activities in 2008/9 with relevant - predominantly regionally located organizations/ institutions or similar bodies, choosing those which have similar strategic objectives in regional security cooperation, in general, or in at least one of RACVIAC overarching themes. These operational partnerships include regional cooperation (through the RCC), Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative (DPPI), Migration, Asylum, Refugee Regional Initiative (MARRI), SECI, RAI, and similar. The Centre succeeded in fostering security dialogue and cooperation at various levels by attracting high-ranking officials, such as ministers, parliamentarians, journalists, attaches and ambassadors to seminars and meetings.

During the Moldovan Presidency, RACVIAC initiated a substantial transformation process delivered by the legal experts and draft agreements on the new legal status were produced. There remains a significant lack of consensus among some member states on the future of this organisation. Whilst Moldova has basically committed itself to RACVIAC’s new legal

Assessment Findings


statue and the financial requirements arising from full membership the whole process of bringing RACVIAC into new operational structures remains blocked. Solutions for resolving the remaining issues in respect to RACVIAC’s future positioning and activities are expected during 2010. Consequently, at the time of this assessment no substantial impacts have appeared.

SEEHN (see also Annex 6)

The Dubrovnik Pledge on meeting the health needs of vulnerable populations in SEE is largely recognised as a cornerstone agreement for cooperation and action on health in the region. Made in 2001, this was the first political document on cross-border health development in the SEE region and it remains of utmost importance for managing health at the regional level. The process is actively supported by the Council of Europe and the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Regional Office for Europe.

The SEE Health Network was set up to coordinate, implement and evaluate the commitments of the Dubrovnik Pledge and its regional projects, for developing health policy and services, offer a wide range of opportunities for the region. The main purpose of the Network is to provide leadership and to sustain project ownership by the countries in the region. The Network was founded in Sofia, Bulgaria, in April 2001 by the signatories of the Dubrovnik Pledge2 and comprises representatives from the ministries of health of its member countries and representatives of intergovernmental organizations.

The projects developed by the Network are coordinated by regional project managers and implemented by country project managers. Up to now, the Network is supported by a secretariat run jointly by the Council of Europe and the WHO Regional Office for Europe, but regionalisation is already ongoing in line with the transfer of ownership.

The major outcome of the political commitment to health in the Dubrovnik Pledge was the development of seven technical health projects with a total budget of €8 million. Each project was implemented in each SEE country at roughly the same time. The projects take effect at local and national level, strongly supported at regional level by close cross-border cooperation. The purpose of the projects is to modernize and strengthen the national health policies, systems and services in each project area. Moldova is leading the important regional SEEHN project “Strengthening National Capacities for Improving Maternal and Neonatal Health in Southeastern Europe”. A promising start has been made but impacts in terms of reduced neonatal mortality in the region can only be expected following the project’s successful implementation.

During its SEEHN Presidency, Moldova achieved the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the future of SEEHN in the framework of the South East European Cooperation Process 2008 and beyond, and was the first SEEHN member state to sign this document. Its signing marks the transition of the SEEHN to a new regional framework, characterized by the application of the regional ownership principle and assumption of responsibilities by SEEHN member countries. Following Moldova’s SEEHN Presidency, further progress has been made, notably in establishing that the SEEHN will be hosted by Macedonia. In the long run, efficient operations of the SEEHN secretariat should also

2 Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, and The

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. At its fourth meeting in May 2002, the Network was further strengthened when joined by Moldova, Greece, Hungary and Slovenia.

Assessment Findings


contribute to more effective operations of the SEEHN Network which, in turn, should be able to produce reasonable and direct socio-economic benefits to the population. Also, in its capacity of SEEHN Presidency, Moldova was the first member state to sign the two Ministerial Declarations regarding mental health and the implementation of the International Sanitary Health Regulations. During the WHO Tallinn Ministerial Conference, the Moldovan SEEHN Presidency delivered a Common Statement on behalf of SEEHN, which confirmed the full support of the Tallinn Charter and the commitment to the strengthening of both the Health Systems in SEE and the regional dialogue in the public health domain. Overall, impact from Moldova’s participation in the SEEHN is clearly beneficial for the Country and the region. The activities being initiated under the SEEHN also help Moldova to continue its reforms in the context of the national health policy and the action plan on the implementation of the national development strategy. Sustainability depends largely on the quality of the individual project delivery and on continuous proactive engagement within SEEHN. Implementation of such substantial public health reforms will be challenging for any SEEHN member state, therefore achieving substantial socio-economic impacts will depend heavily on securing financial means for facilitating administrative adjustments and key investments in the health infrastructure. CEFTA (see also Annex 9)

Within Moldova’s CEFTA Presidency, special attention was given on the creation of the CEFTA secretariat. The overall role of the secretariat is to support the CEFTA Joint Committee and in particular, the Chair in Office, to ensure that CEFTA operates in line with its various provisions. CEFTA secretariat has successfully commenced operations and a request for external assistance for setting up professional capacities and expertise has been launched3.

Overall progress in reducing trade barriers has been evident from the activities initiated during Moldova’s CEFTA Presidency. There has been promising progress in reducing trade barriers, in particular, in the agriculture sector, an area of substantial importance for Moldova. On the other hand, these positive steps need to be viewed in the context of problems related to agriculture in SEE. Moreover, the volume of intra-regional trade in within the CEFTA countries is relatively small and, according to the Ministry of Economy and Trade, Moldova’s foreign trade with the other CEFTA countries amounts to only 1.7% of overall foreign trade. Substantial impacts for Moldova in terms of socio-economic improvements, notably in terms of increased employment or economic growth, cannot be expected, even if the various free barriers to free trade within CEFTA are speedily overcome. Participation in CEFTA nevertheless has a clear strategic goal since it is viewed as an informal pre-condition for states applying for more sophistic free trade arrangements with the EU. The envisaged deep and comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU thus has been indirectly facilitated by active engagement in CEFTA. Intense CEFTA collaboration is instrumental to the long term goal of increasing free trade between Moldova and the EU. Capacity building impact remains limited Administrative and socio-economic impacts in terms of more efficient capacities are positive but, overall, remain modest. Despite the objectives addressed by the Regional Cooperation

3 The CEFTA Secretariat is benefiting from the IPA 2007 Trade Development Western-Balkans

Programme. It is envisaged that this assistance will be provided for a maximum amount of €475,000 to the CEFTA Secretariat. IPA will provide co-financing for the secretariat’s operational costs for the period 2008-2010.

Assessment Findings


project component, the assistance has focused on facilitating Moldova’s regional Presidencies and less on directly increasing political and administrative capacities. By conducting the various regional Presidencies, certain parts of Moldova’s administration have become acquainted with the organizational methods of work within regional and European institutional memberships. Capacity building impacts are mostly obvious for those MoFAEI and line institution staffs that have been fully involved in preparing and conducting the Presidencies. Personal and organisational skills for dealing with complex cooperation activities and diplomatic and policy issues have been substantially increased here. The Department of Regional Cooperation has mostly benefited from carrying out the function of secretariats. Under the umbrella of the various regional initiatives there have been some positive impacts in terms of capacity building through the exchange of experience, mostly by stimulated regional and bilateral cooperation. Taking into account the moderate levels of capacities commonly prevailing in many administrative and technical areas in SEE, intra-regional capacity building effects are likely to be limited. Additionally, complications due to Moldova’s specific difficulties with visa and travel cost coverage have put further limits on the potential for capacity building within the region. Transparency, stakeholders’ dialogue and public participation in decision-making should be among the key requirements for funding projects related to regional cooperation initiatives. For a country in transition such as Moldova, there is a substantial need to improve public education to familiarize local, regional and national bodies, including Non-Governmental Organisations, with legislative aspects; to facilitate discussion of the value of harmonised legislation and standards to local communities, and to open a wider discussion on more culturally appropriate methods of implementing improvements and obligations. Such needs are most acute at the beginning of any EU integration process but need to be permanently tackled throughout the transition phase. A stronger involvement of the civil society in the future in regional cooperation processes could potentially offer a wider range of common activities with tangible outcomes and capacity building effects. 2.5. Prospects for institutional sustainability need to build up further, administrative sustainability problematic Moldova’s participation in regional cooperation initiatives requires more durable engagement Whilst Moldova is largely recognised as a valuable member of the SEE regional initiatives, the future of many initiatives still remains uncertain or requires action for adjustment. Against these challenges the increasing application of the ownership and leadership principles means increased financial contributions by Moldova to those regional initiatives that are considered to be important. Following feedback from Moldovan stakeholders, several initiatives have delivered more than originally intended, with exceptions where cost-effectiveness have been questioned. The MoFAEI is currently undertaking, together with line institutions, an evaluation of the various regional initiatives in which Moldova takes part, with the aim to assess their costs and likely benefits. This is a pragmatic step forward towards focusing on those regional cooperation bodies that potentially offer the most valuable and durable outcomes. Prioritisation in Moldova’s regional engagement is strongly needed in order to focus scarce human and financial resources on the most important areas of cooperation, reflected by appropriate participation. Moldova’s simultaneous Presidencies appears to be a unique event and thus are not directly subject to sustainability. However, it is apparent that Moldova will have to take similar Presidencies on board as a matter of obligation and commitment. A future Moldovan

Assessment Findings


Presidency is considered at the moment for the Danube Cooperation Process. Besides the South Eastern European initiatives under review, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation process, despite following partly different objectives will remain of significant importance for Moldova, taking into consideration its special geographical and economic situation, and the political history. Moldova is considering expressing interest in this Presidency. Apart of the direct problems related to the Black Sea area, the partners in this initiative may be potentially helpful for assisting Moldova with progress in resolving the Transnistrian issue. Operating similar regional Presidencies in the future will need to be sustained through secure Moldovan national budget funding. Donor support for assisting with co-financing of concrete actions and projects would be well received and, in turn, would help to increase the sustainability of actions set by Moldova’s future Presidencies. Administrative sustainability remains weak With the temporary phasing out of donor support for co-financing Moldova’s engagement in the regional processes the question of sustainability needs to be considered seriously. Moldova benefits from the exchange of experience and knowledge transfer available in various regional cooperation initiatives because of the limited availability of alternative national resources. Many of the Moldovan beneficiary institutions visited have well educated, qualified and strongly committed staffs, however, the participation of Moldovan institutions and experts, other than those from the MoFAEI, is still very limited, even in such important areas as trade, regional security cooperation, border management, environment and energy. But, existing, nevertheless limited, possibilities to access other resources available within regional projects have still not been sufficiently explored. This limitation is of concern against the background of Moldova’s increased interest to further adapt to European integration issues and to negotiate an Association Agreement with the EU. If such attempts are to be successful it will require a much more substantial degree of human and financial resources than that currently provided by the State. Further donor support will be indispensable and most likely available, however the sustainable use of funds depends essentially on a more targeted and coordinated process of regional participation and EU integration alignment. Recent discussions concerning a gradual shift of competencies for regional cooperation initiatives from the MoFAEI towards line institutions is positive because it will further strengthen ownership. However, the capacities within line ministries to manage increasingly regional cooperation are uneven and, in the main, insufficiently advanced. In this respect, formal assessments of existing capacities at International Relations and EU Integration departments within line ministries, and other state agencies dealing with regional cooperation and EU integration, should be the logical starting point for improvement. Based on the identified shortcomings, a systematic education and training facility for central administration staff dealing with regional cooperation and EU integration issues would be a necessary development. Various activities in this area are already on-going with the help of donors, but a harmonised and coordinated approach is needed, in view of scarce human and financial resources. The effects of such training programmes should be regularly reviewed. Given the constant changes of staff employed at regional and local levels, such training programmes will need to be repeated regularly. In this context, further progress in the overall reform and modernization of Moldova’s public administration is essential. Long-term improvements in employment conditions for key administrative staff are needed to address the issue of high staff turnover rates. Staff retention remains a serious concern, partially because of low salaries. Whilst Moldovan authorities have recognised these difficulties it should be noted that several countries in the region, including Romania, have made more effort in this respect.

The Way Forward


3. THE WAY FORWARD This chapter sets out the conclusions on the performance of Moldova’s regional Presidencies in the overall context of Moldova’s participation in the regional cooperation processes under review. The analysis of strengths and weaknesses of the way regional cooperation was planned and implemented by Moldova can help to optimise the approach for future regional cooperation within the overall European integration context. 3.1 Conclusions Overall, there has been good progress in Moldova’s regional cooperation but more needs to be done in the light of future challenges. In the main, Moldova has made good use of the political possibilities offered by SEE regional cooperation during the last years. From a late start, Moldova has made impressive progress and appears a well accepted member within the various initiatives for regional cooperation. Such positive impressions have been reflected by the opportunity given to Moldova to chair five regional initiatives simultaneously in 2008/2009. These Presidencies have been conducted professionally and received positive assessments by the EU and regional communities. Without the donor support under review, such professional organisation and performance would not have been possible. The political, practical and personal experience that Moldova’s leader and administrators have gained from the regional cooperation processes clearly benefits its European integration ambitions. For the future, however, Moldova needs even stronger focus on the areas that would consolidate the European integration prospects for the countries that are not yet members of the EU. More intensified dialogue with the European Commission and other EU bodies in the field of foreign and security policy, economic development and attracting of investment, energy and regional infrastructure and people-to-people contacts – are priority areas that feature prominently over the next few years. Not all of these areas are likely to be sufficiently addressed by the framework of the reorganised regional cooperation processes, in view of restricted funds and political limitations, but the main direction remains the same. Moldova’s effective regional cooperation requires enforcement of strategic approaches. There is a strong interest by Moldova in benefiting from the EU’s four freedoms and Moldova will have to work hard in order to finalise the negotiation process and conclude an EU Association Agreement. The potential areas for cooperation with the EU include a free trade agreement, liberalisation of the visa regime and sectoral cooperation, all areas that are also of direct relevance for regional cooperation processes. All these topics require action on a multi-annual basis, in line with the longer-term perspective already applied for EU Action Plans, ENPI and other EU initiatives. Maximum use of the existing possibilities for direct cooperation with the EU and within the regional initiatives will be crucial for success. For a country aiming at a more coherent regional cooperation process, it is too ambitious to expect all sectors to have the capacity to create clear strategies, programme results-based and fully budgeted action plans, and to implement them. Therefore, clear prioritisation of the regional engagement needs to be considered. The ongoing transition of many regional initiatives means that Moldova will have to revise its method of engagement. The relatively high number of initiatives in the region will require streamlining towards more specific and efficient operations in line with visions raised by

The Way Forward


donors and member states. The MoFAEI is currently considering this issues but a more strategic approach in regional cooperation is indispensable for the future. Leadership and ownership in regional cooperation are not yet fully applied principles by Moldova. By perceiving regional cooperation as an important and significantly beneficial process, generating a visible added value in the European integration processes, Moldova has proven its readiness and the political will to assume, share and apply the regional ownership and leadership principles in the South East European regional cooperation process. The materialising of such commitment, in terms of concrete actions, remains challenging. The promotion of the position, capacities and possibilities of Moldova still lag behind most of its regional partners. Being an active and more visible party in such important regional processes remains difficult for Moldova but will be indispensible if European integration ambitions are to substantially advance. Financing and fund raising for regional cooperation remain weak compared with the achievements expected from participating in the various initiatives. The various regional organisations, initiatives and processes under review offer considerable funding opportunities, at least for smaller sector projects. Despite improvements, such funds sometimes are still not maximised by line ministries, due to limited participation in these activities and/ or a lack of knowledge. Also, the fund raising capacities and IFI coordination capabilities of some of the secretariats facilitating the implementation of regional processes are likely to be limited in the immediate future. More effective donor co-ordination, both at strategic policy and project levels, would make regional cooperation more successful. In this instance Moldova should try to learn from the EU Western Balkan initiatives4. Identified uneven sectoral impacts require action. There remain a number of areas subordinated to regional initiatives where corrective actions, initiated by Moldovan authorities would be helpful. These concern issues pro-actively detected by Moldovan stakeholders within various initiatives, comprising, in particular, the strengthening of the efficiency and effectiveness of regional operations. With help of its partners, Moldova is willing to deepen the engagement in the CEI opportunity since the current benefits, in terms of concrete project actions, are still moderate. The overall functioning of the CEI Focal Point Network interaction mechanism requires reinforcement. Overall, the conditions for establishing a professional civil service capacity in the regional cooperation domain should be tackled in the context of effective public administration reform. Interventions in this area are ongoing or under preparation and remain essential for those administrative capacities dealing with regional cooperation. However, capacity building in

4 At the time of this assessment the IPA project aiming at Horizontal Support to coordination with International Financial Institutions in the Western Balkans and Turkey was about to start. The project will coverer: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey. The project purpose is to ensure adequate and effective coordination between the EU Commission and IFIs at policy, technical and operational level in the area of socio-economic development of the beneficiaries.

The Way Forward


regional cooperation is needed and should be closely combined with efforts being made in the European integration domain. 3.2 Recommendations Action 1: Strengthen strategic approach to regional cooperation activities The MoFAEI should consider planning a more strategic engagement in the various regional initiatives by drawing up a rolling plan covering at least three years for engagement in the most important regional cooperation processes. The MoFAEI together with line beneficiary institutions should ensure that all prioritised regional cooperation activities and projects are harmonised and coordinated with EU integration plans and ENPI objectives. Such strategy should include defined priorities for development, objectives, sequencing and organisational, financial and human and other resources required, agreed by the MoFAEI and line institutions. Priorities defined could include: Good Governance, Justice and Home Affairs (in particular security, visa and mobility), Anti-Corruption, Education and Qualification and Healthcare. Within the prevailing constraints there should be a focus on a few key sectors to make this work effectively, thereby generating visible impact, and providing a model for later replication in other sectors. Donor support should be considered for Moldova for the preparation of such a strategic regional cooperation document at a sufficiently early stage, depending on the existing national drafting capacities available for such purpose. In the event of the Government’s decision to further transfer responsibilities for regional cooperation from the MoFAEI towards line institutions, more public administrative capacity needs to be in place before the transfer. The Government of Moldova should require line institutions to secure firm pre-conditions for delivery of regional cooperation (and eventually European integration) activities in terms of commitment and absorption capacity of the beneficiary. Prior to the transferring of competences, robust institutions need to be established. Increasing competencies should develop in parallel with increases in the absorption and management capacity. Financing large scale investment activities will not be possible within the scope of regional cooperation due to limitation of funds available. However, legal approximation, institution and capacity building, preferably by exchange of experience, present an important subject for technical regional cooperation. In this respect, the MoFAEI should actively promote the use of twinning possibilities with EU member states, as offered in a number of regional initiatives, notably by the CEI. Any expertise and know how exchange should be in line with institutional development plans and EU integration priorities and should have clearly specified objectives.

In the longer term, the need to merge or reduce the large number of regional cooperation initiatives in Central and South Eastern Europe might be necessary. Further substantial progress of certain candidate countries towards accession could diminish their interest in regional cooperation considerably since their European integration priorities would clearly prevail. The phasing out of donors from financing basic operations has been starting in a number of initiatives. Although a systematic assessment of the various Central and South Eastern Europe initiatives and ways to increase their efficient operation exceeds the scope of this assignment, it should be considered for the future. The overall political umbrella of the SEECP potentially offers a political platform for discussions on a revised landscape of regional initiatives for SEE.

The Way Forward


Action 2: Enforce leadership and ownership principles in regional cooperation The Government of Moldova should consider strengthening active engagement in prioritised regional initiatives by encouraging the secondment of Moldovan representatives into secretariats and senior functions and by actively supporting the incorporation of Moldovan applicants in the staff recruitment processes. Stronger personal involvement could ensure that Moldova’s interests receive more attention and recognition at both regional and EU levels. Possibilities for accommodating regional cooperation institutions in Moldova should also be explored in the light of benefits gained from increased visibility and promotion of the Country. Moldova should consider discussing with its partner states the establishment of a clear follow-up mechanism at the level of secretariats for certain regional initiatives. Such mechanism would regularly review for all partner countries the progress made in addressing the given political, legislative and administrative commitments. This in turn would allow more objective assessment of the effectiveness and impact of various regional initiatives. Action 3: Further increase active finance and fund raising in regional cooperation On a case-by-case basis, Moldova, together with its respective partner states, should consider asking the secretariats for a systematic review of their fund-raising and IFI coordination capacities, and should agree on ways to improve performance in this area. Such an evaluation would also help to assess value-for-money, which is a pressing issue for Moldova and other states in the region, taking into account the limitation of national funds for regional cooperation.

The MoFAEI should consider with the line institutions involved a systematic inventory of project funding possibilities available within the various regional cooperation processes. Future donor support for Moldovan regional cooperation initiatives should strongly focus on the co-financing of specific projects offering strict intervention logic with tangible results, and less on contributing to operational and administrative costs.

Moldova should consider making a request to the EU Commission for observer status for the upcoming IPA project on donor coordination for the Western Balkans. Moldova thus could gather helpful lessons for further improving the donor coordination process in the Country. Action 4: Increase impact in various sectoral aspects of regional cooperation Further strengthening of the implementation of the RAI goals might require reinforcencent of the RAI secretariat and its pro-active role in guiding the RAI process towards practical achievements. The Centre for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption together with the MoFAEI should consider initiating discussions with the other RAI member states on a further increase in capacity of the RAI secretariat. In line with the CEI Youth Forum held in November 2008, the Ministry of Education and Culture should follow up the detailed progress made in improving youth and mobility issues. Enabling young people to travel for the purpose of training, education, volunteering, exchange or representative and statutory meetings is an immediate need. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Integration and UNDP should be informed accordingly.

Whilst the CEI Focal Points have been well established, their operations have still room for improvement in efficiency. In particular, communication and pro-active collaboration would result in further systematic stimulation and development. Taking into account the key role in implementing CEI decisions, networking among Focal Points needs to be further intensified throughout the CEI community. In that respect, the MoFEIA in its function as national CEI

The Way Forward


coordinator should request from the CEI secretariat an experts’ review of the functioning of the Moldovan Focal Points. Such reviews have been conducted by the CEI secretariat already for two CEI member states and have shown good results in terms of more effective cooperation.

The Ministry of Health is currently considering forwarding an application to the SEEHN secretariat for establishing a first regional health development centre on the Moldovan territory. The Government of Moldova should consider supporting this application, including necessary logistical and resource support. Such Moldovan initiative would demonstrate strong commitment towards the SEEHN objectives and, more specifically, would allow direct beneficial impacts on the Moldovan public health system.

In some regional SEE initiatives, despite sometimes promising results, the exchange of knowledge between experts remains limited since the experience in the region is also often limited. The MoFAEI, together with its partner states, should consider ways to strengthen expert networks by making external experts available from countries who are not members of the respective regional initiative. In particular, expert knowledge from some EU-15 member states could bring more direct and speedy benefits. Donors should consider funding extended networking in regional cooperation on a justified case-by-case basis. Further capacity building in regional cooperation is needed and should be closely combined with efforts being made in the European integration domain. Continuous donor support is indispensable if these efforts should succeed. Donors should also encourage EU Member States to make their Public Administration Schools, or other professional resources available to Moldova and to advise on suitable European integration training activities. The MoFAEI should make EU training obligatory for all the public administration officials involved in the regional cooperation and EU integration processes. Due to high staff turnover any training and education system will need to be institutionalised. Moldova should be encouraged, and offered donor support, to establish or improve a central civil service training institution.

Annexes


ANNEXES

Annex 1


Annex 1 - Terms of Reference

INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA PARTICIPATION IN THE REGIONAL INITIATIVES DURING 2008-2009

Background

The UNDP Project “Building Institutional Capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration” has been formulated through a joint effort of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MFAEI) and UNDP with the overall objective of strengthening the institutional capacity of the MFAEI so that it can exercise its functions in a more efficient manner, operate transparently and fulfil its European Integration commitments. The project has three interlinked yet distinct components:

4. Institutional Capacity Building 5. Regional Cooperation 6. Communications and Public Relations

The Regional Cooperation component aims at providing the necessary conditions for an active involvement of the Republic of Moldova on all levels of regional cooperation processes in the South-Eastern Europe with the scope of increasing the impact of Moldova’s participation in the regional cooperation processes on its social and economic development leading towards European Integration. This project component is implemented with contribution of the Austrian Government through the UNDP Thematic Trust fund. Some of the activities are implemented with contribution from the state budget. European Integration The Parliament of Moldova has expressed (through a unanimously signed declaration on March 24, 2005) its commitment to the European integration as the country’s main strategic objective. As a first step, to prove reliance and commitment, Moldova assumed the obligation to implement the provisions of the EU-Moldova Action Plan, which set specific targets in seven broad areas of co-operation. In addition, the European integration policy of the Republic of Moldova is based on the full use of all of the opportunities offered by the European Neighbourhood Policy, as well as the possibilities offered by the participation of the country in various initiatives and processes in South Eastern Europe, Central Europe and Eastern dimension (GUAM). The EU enlargement has brought new development opportunities for Moldova as an EU neighbour. Regional cooperation – a prerequisite for European Integration The European integration policy of the Republic of Moldova is based on the full and successful implementation of the EU-Republic of Moldova Action Plan and the opportunities presented by the active participation of the Republic of Moldova at the regional initiatives and processes in the Southeastern Europe, such as the Stability Pact for the South Eastern Europe; South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP); Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), South Eastern Europe Cooperation Initiative (SECI); Central European Initiative (CEI); Danube Cooperation processes; the Energy Community Treaty and new CEFTA. For more than 10 years, the Republic of Moldova, actively participates at the processes of regional cooperation. The cooperation in the region of Central and South Eastern Europe became one of the main objectives of the foreign and internal policy of the Republic of

Annex 1


Moldova. The active implication in the initiatives and processes from the Central and South Eastern Europe have marked a significant advancement in the process of strengthening the objective of alignment of the country to the values, principles and European standards. In this context, the Republic of Moldova, during 2008-2009, took over the presidency to several regional initiatives as the:

• South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) • Central European Initiative (CEI) • Multinational Advisory Group of RACVIAC (MAG RACVIAC) • South East European Health Network (SEEHN) • CEFTA Agreement

The Presidencies in Central and South Eastern Europe are directly connected and aimed at contributing to the advancement of the Republic of Moldova in the process of European Integration, especially through the implementation of the EU processes and programs of adjustment to the European values. Background of presidencies In accordance with the priorities, objectives and the Program of the Chairmanship-in-Office of the Republic of Moldova to the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), Central European Initiative (CEI), Multinational Advisory Group of RACVIAC (MAG RACVIAC), South East European Health Network (SEEHN) and CEFTA Agreement, during 2008 -2009, the Moldovan Chairmanship organized a series of political and sector-meetings and activities. The South East European Cooperation Process is a political Forum that represents an efficient mechanism in approaching and promoting the common policies of the countries involved, as well as represents an active tool of the European Union in the region, with the aim of supporting the countries in their process of European Integration. During 2008- 2009, the Republic of Moldova, held for the first time the Chairmanship at the South East European Cooperation Process. In the framework of the current mandate, the Republic of Moldova have organized several high level events as: International Conference “Regional Cooperation – Opportunities, Challenges and Synergy”, Meeting of the Heads of the SEECP Supreme Audit Institutions, “South East Europe SAIs: Developments and Prospects”, Joint Meeting of the SEECP Political Directors and SEECP Directors responsible for EU Affairs, Meeting of the SEECP Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs, The XIIth Meeting of the Steering Group of the Regional Anticorruption Initiative (RAI), Meeting of the SEECP Ministers of Health, Informal Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the SEECP, Meeting of the Heads of Consular Services of the SEECP participating states. The SEECP Presidency was concluded by the 12th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) which culminated with the endorsement of a range of significant documents as the Chisinau Political Declaration, Chisinau Joint Statement, Annual Report of the RCC Secretary General on the Regional Cooperation in South East Europe etc. Central European Initiative is composed of 18 member states and was established in 1989 as an intergovernmental forum for political, economic and cultural co-operation among its Member States. Its main aim was to help transition countries in Central Europe come closer to the EU. During its presidency the Republic of Moldova (2008) had the responsible task of implementing the structural changes outlined in the Decisions of the Summit, setting the base for the future organizational framework of the CEI. The Moldovan CEI Presidency had organized a series of events as: Meeting of the CEI Committee of National Coordinators (CNC), CEI Parliamentary Committee, Meeting of the CEI Ministers of Transport, The Roundtable of the CEI Ministers of Economic Sectors, The 11th Summit Economic Forum, High Level Meeting on Tourism, High level Meeting on Agriculture, International Scientific

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Conference, The CEI Parliamentary Assembly, CEI Youth Forum, Meeting of the CEI Committee of National Coordinators and Meeting of the CEI Ministers of Foreign Affairs. In the contest of the events numerous documents have been adopted and projects initiated. The major political event that concluded the Moldovan CEI Presidency was the CEI Summit of the Heads of Government, held on 28 November 2008, in Chisinau. RACVIAC is an international, independent, non-profit, regionally owned, academic organization, with the mission to foster dialogue and cooperation on security matters in South Eastern Europe through a partnership between the countries of the region and their international partners. The Mandate of the Chairman to the Multinational Advisory Group of RACVIAC Centre was to contribute to the image of the Republic of Moldova in the process of strengthening its status as a reliable and viable partner in South Eastern Europe in the field of regional defence and security. The Moldovan MAG RACVIAC Chairmanship culminated with chairing of the 20th MAG Meeting, held on 31 October 2008, in Zagreb. The project is providing support to the Republic of Moldova`s representative at the RACVIAC Centre. The representatives of Moldova, on one side, are able to guarantee Moldova’s presence in the political and economic cooperation processes and, on the other, gain very important experience while serving in such positions. Hence, upon return, they bring valuable knowledge to their colleagues and institutions. South East European Health Network is a regional arrangement established in 2001 under the auspicious of the Social Cohesion Initiative of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe which ensures the political regional framework related to the development of joined activities and actions in health domain. According to the rotational principle, the Republic of Moldova took over the Presidency to the South Eastern Europe Health Network, exercising the mandate during half year, from 1 January to 30 June 2008. In this context, the Moldovan SEEHN Presidency focused on a series of activities as: organization of the 18th Meeting of the SEEHN, Launch of the signing process of the Memorandum of Understanding on the future of the SEEHN in the framework of the South East European Cooperation Process 2008 and beyond etc. Also, the Republic of Moldova, in its capacity of SEEHN Presidency, was the first member state to sign the two Ministerial Declarations regarding mental health and implementation of the International Sanitary Health Regulations. CEFTA Agreement Starting with 1 January 2008, the Republic of Moldova took over the Presidency of the regional arrangement, Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). Within the Presidency to CEFTA, the Republic of Moldova organized an ordinary meeting of the CEFTA Joint Committee, meeting of the CEFTA Prime Ministers and 3 sub – committees (April - June 2008). The Sub-committee dealing with agricultural issues was chaired by the Republic of Moldova but that of customs and standards by Serbia and Montenegro. Within the Presidency a special attention was given to the creation of the CEFTA Secretariat. Objectives: The expected output for the International Consultant’s assignment is to assess the impact of the presidencies held by the Republic of Moldova during 2008- 2009 on its social and economic development towards the European Integration.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Evaluate the activities organized by the Republic of Moldova within the SEECP, CEI and other regional initiatives (including activity of the Moldova’s representative to the RACVIAC) with regards to the priority domains of cooperation in the region of South Eastern Europe;

2. Assess impact of the presidencies held by the Republic of Moldova during 2008- 2009 on its social and economic development towards the European Integration;

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3. Analyze the quality of policy documents and project proposals adopted and initiated throughout the high level meetings;

4. Assess the impact of the newly adopted documents on different domains of activity and their prolongation;

5. Recommend specific actions to be taken in order to improve Moldova’s participation in the regional cooperation processes and achieving developments towards European Integration;

6. Evaluate Moldova’s new opportunities in contributing to the sustainable development of the South East Europe.

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Annex 2 - Assessment Criteria and Assessment Indicators

Assessment Criteria Assessment Indicators

1. Relevance

1.1. Adequacy of UNDP partnership strategies • Clarity of objectives

• Quality of strategic planning documentation

• Availability of needs assessment

1.2. Involvement of stakeholders and beneficiaries in the design

• Whether stakeholders were consulted

• Degree of consultation

1.3. Did the project address ex-post needs? • Establishment of ex post needs

• Alignment of project activity to ex post needs

• Current position

• Any important area not covered by the project that should have been included

2. Efficiency

2.1. What are the outputs? • Quantitative/qualitative measure of outputs 2.2. What were the tools/activities/resources used to

produce the outputs? • Quantitative/qualitative description of tools/

activities/ resources

2.3. Were there resources/tools provided that were under-used or not used?

• Extent of participation in events

• Unused resources/ excess resources provided

• Factors that contributed to achieving/ non-achieving results

2.4. Was the use and the relative importance of the tools provided appropriate?

• Suitability of activities for stated purpose

3. Effectiveness

3.1. What were the improvements in political, legislative/administrative structures, systems and resources?

• Clear allocation of the roles and responsibilities within and between institutions (structures)

• Availability of procedures and guidelines (systems)

• Availability of suitably qualified skilled staff and adequate financial resources (resources)

• Extent to what UNDP assistance has contributed to the improvements

• Factors contributing to effectiveness/ ineffectiveness

3.2. Did the legislative/administrative and judicial performance related to the political priorities improve?

• Security and Stabilisation

• Increased regional cooperation and trade

• Demonstrated success in addressing linked ENPI and EU integration priorities

3.3. Did the legislative/administrative performance related to the socio-economic criteria improve?

• Legislative/administrative support to a functioning economy

4. Impact

4.1. To what extent can the political, legislative and administrative impacts at project level be separated and measured?

• Prevailing observed changes in political/ administrative behaviour, procedures, structures

• Most successful regional cooperation initiatives launched by Moldova

• Main benefits beneficiaries identify from participating in the project

4.2. To what extent can the socio-economic impacts at project level be separated and measured?

• Prevailing observed changes identifiable for the national/regional macro- and/or micro economic situation

4.3. Examine likely political/legislative/administrative /socio-economic impacts on the basis of the

• Projects conceived within a strategic framework and based on needs assessment

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Assessment Criteria Assessment Indicators

extent to which pre-conditions are in place or are being put in place

• The essentials for adequate public and administrative capacity in place, including stable institutions, adequate inter-ministerial and central-regional collaborative machinery of government

• Contribution of outputs to overall objectives such as increased regional cooperation, security and stability, progress in addressing European integration

• Identifiable benefits for society or the economy

• Awareness of the public administrative units, ministries and regional structures involved in project implementation of the activities

• Beneficiary awareness of outputs

• Relevant civil society bodies involved, and roles defined, relative to outputs

• Involvement of ministries in regional cooperation and its funding

• Changes in perception of regional cooperation as seen now by line ministries

• Inter-ministerial structure for coordination/ communication of regional cooperation improved

5. Sustainability

5.1. Have the political, legal, administrative and organisational outputs been sustained?

• Availability of financial and human means for continuation of regional cooperation activities and further improvements

5.2. To what extent has the trained staff in the national administration been stable?

• Fluctuation rate of trained staff

5.3. Are the pre-conditions for sustainability in place or being put in place?

• Outputs contribute to achievement of the strategic objectives

• Ownership is demonstrated by managers responsible for onward strategic implementation of regional cooperation outputs

• Horizontal public administration and foreign cooperation systems stable and adequate

• Ongoing national finance available for maintenance, insurance, replacements, consumables, etc.

• Secured provisions in place for ongoing staffing, staff replacement and training

• Procedures and systems fully documented, with defined responsibility for updating

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Annex 3 - SEECP – Activities, Outcomes and Impacts

South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP)

Background

The Republic of Moldova joined the SEECP5 in May 2006, within the High Level SEECP Summit from Thessaloniki (Greece). In October 2006 Moldova has

signed the Charter on Good Neighbourly relations, Stability, Security and Cooperation in SEE, becoming de jure a fully fledged member to the SEECP. The SEECP membership allows Moldova an active participation in the regional processes and initiatives in SEE, fostering also advancement on the path of European integration. The Stability Pact in SEE has been reorganised with the establishment of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in February 2008 that consolidates all the SEE processes and initiatives with the SEECP being the supreme political forum.

The work programme of the Presidency for 2008 comprised three international conferences and five meetings and in 2009 seven meetings and the Summit of the SEECP Heads of State and Government. All events took place in line with the scheduled calendar of events.

Objectives of the SEECP Presidency

• Development of the SEECP — EU dialogue and consolidating the European perspective of the South East European states

• Consolidation of the institutional dialogue with the European Commission and EU institutions

• Support for the European aspirations of the participating states regarding the adherence to the EU

• Supporting the European aspirations of the participating states in their perspective to adhere to the EU

• Strengthening the cooperation and good neighbourly relations between the participating states

• Promotion of democratic values and European standards as a firm development mechanism of the entire region

• Supporting and strengthening the peace and economic development in the region with the aim of ensuring stability, security and prosperity in South East Europe

• Consolidation and promotion of the SEECP on the international arena, as a “united voice” of the region and reliable partner with the aim of fulfilling the overall objectives of the international community

• Maintenance and development of the dialogue between the SEECP participating states and with the international partners with the aim of promoting

5 SEECP Member States: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro,

Romania, Serbia, Turkey.

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democratic reforms and advancement in the fields of common interest

• Consolidation of the efficiency of the regional processes and initiatives in cooperation with the SEECP participating states, EU, RCC members, as well as with the donor states and relevant international organizations

• Strengthening the cooperation with the Secretary General and the Regional Cooperation Council Secretariat; Cooperation with the Regional Cooperation Council and with the processes, initiatives and regional organizations with the aim of strengthening cooperation, stability and development in South East Europe

• Adjustment of the functional competences and of the SEECP activities, taking into account the launch of the Regional Cooperation Council and the establishment of the domains of common interest of the participating states

• Coordination with the participating states of the SEECP activities agenda, taking into account the political priorities of the region in this period

• Monitoring the implementation of the decisions and signed or adopted agreements within the SEECP.

Activities

Outputs/ Results Impact

International Conference “Regional Cooperation – Opportunities, Challenges and Synergies” (17 June 2008, Chisinau)

Recommendations:

- Regional cooperation is very much needed and represents and efficient instrument and mechanism for the advancement towards EU integration,

- The enhanced dialogue among the participating regional and international parties requires cooperation and coordination – same objectives, coordination mtgs, joint efforts

- Common priorities of the regional cooperation process and interconnected sectoral domains of activity should be directed towards elaboration and implementation of concrete projects and programs - structures, synergy, exchange of information, best practices, launched projects, public awareness.

- Some political impact in terms of recognising and confirming the need and usefulness of regional cooperation and in giving principal orientation for concrete projects and reform measures.

Meeting of the Heads of SEECP Supreme Audit Institutions “SEE SAIs: Developments and Prospects”; International Conference “Ways to improve SAIs Activity within the European Vector Framework: Experience

Recommendations:

- Public external audit and financial control represents a prerequisite for the EU accession;

- Choose to get in line with the best public external audit practice and international

- Some progress in consolidating information and practice exchange among the SEECP SAIs in financial management/external public audit in line with European common standards and

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and Practices of the SEE SAIs” (18-20 September 2008, Chisinau)

standards by adjusting their legal frameworks and process of reforming public external audit work;

- Shift to a modern audit approach in accordance with the best EU practice, by preserving the context specific for the countries

values, - Bilateral cooperation between Moldova

Court of Accounts and Bulgaria on carrying out territorial audit has been launched;

- Court of Accounts has been assisted in successfully transforming from financial control to external audit aspects;

- Regional SAI cooperation also stimulates cooperation within EUROSAI and INTOSAI, thus facilities increased networking.

International Conference for the Central and Eastern Europe, Balkans, Caucasus and Baltic States “Science and Education Policies” (19 September 2008, Chisinau)

Recommendations:

- Open up national programmes and institutions to participants from other countries,

- Create and support specific incentives in national research funding schemes for engaging researchers in cross-border research cooperation;

- Reinforce research cooperation agreements with third countries and international organisations and jointly define and implement research and education programmes,

- Easier access to scientific information; to develop centers of excellence for scientific research and education, make existing rules and procedures for international cooperation of scientists more simple; creation and maintenance of intellectual/scientific diaspora networks and cooperative projects between expatriates and their home country, expand virtual and distant learning opportunities, encourage innovative entrepreneurship initiatives,

- Some scientific cooperation agreements under preparation with Bulgaria, Montenegro and Turkey,

- Bilateral joint research project being launched with Romania,

- Overall involvement of Moldovan researchers in SEECP research initiatives still very low; no direct impacts yet.

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Meeting of the SEECP Committee of Political Directors and Joint Meeting of the SEECP Committee of Political Directors and Directors Responsible for EU Affairs (26 September 2008, Chisinau)

RCC Secretary General presented:

- Results achieved in the transition process from the Stability Pact for South East Europe to RCC,

- Political consultations with the South East European state, members of the RCC, establishment and evolution of the dialogue with regional organizations, initiatives and partners, cooperation with the EU,

- Progress in the networking process among the RCC National Coordinators from the South East Europe, RCC Secretariat, European Commission and relevant International Financial Institutions,

- Progress on the coordination and streamlining process of the regional initiatives and structures,

- Implementation process of the RCC Strategic Work Programme 2008-2009, based on the Agenda of the SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office of the Republic of Moldova.


XIIth Meeting of the Steering Group of the Regional Anticorruption Initiative (RAI) (31 September 2008, Chisinau)

- RAI Senior Representatives discussed and reached final decisions on a number of essential issues. This included

- promotion and support to the Anti-corruption Resource Centre, including the projects - On-line News Centre and Anti-corruption Consultancy Project;

- Support for the independent Survey on "Integrity and Resistance to Corruption of the Judicial System in SEE";

- Optimization of Reporting Process; Amendment of RAI Work Plan for 2008 - 2009;

- Submission of RAI's candidature to act as observer in GRECO;

- Planned or on-going anti-corruption activities.

- Corruption risk assessment for central state administrations presented by the Moldovan Centre for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption as good practise example for the entire region;

- Principal RAI support to the independent SEEC survey on the level of corruption in judiciary (regional results expected for spring 2010) confirmed;

- Follow up of status of implementing GRECO recommendations;

- Recognised need to foster the establishment of formal structures for the RAI.

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Meeting of the SEECP Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs (31 October 2008, Chisinau)

- Interest for the countries of the region in the cooperation process on fighting cyber crime, as well as on illicit juridical and judicial processing of personal data,

- Undertake adequate measures for the development and implementation of international and regional legal framework (cybercrime), establish appropriate methods, techniques and ways of geting the cybercrime, to assure a high level training at national level of members of law enforcement authorities involved in the process of fighting the cybercrime, including by exchanging advanced experiences and best practices on regional level,

- Increase the use of Europol, Interpol, SECI Regional Centre as well as other relevant regional initiatives in operational information,

- Support the efforts made in order to finalise as soon as possible the new legal base for the functioning of the South Eastern European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC).

- Respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, and in particular the right to private life, with regard to the automated processing of personal data.

Justice:

- Moldovan National Centre for Protection of Data established;

- Memorandum on Legal and Judicial Guarantees against Unlawful Processing of Personal Data approved by Moldovan Government in February 2009; however still waiting for adoption by the Moldovan Parliament;

- Bilateral treaty with Bulgaria for cooperation on legal civil and criminal matters under preparation.

Home Affairs:

- Declaration on the strengthening of cooperation in combating cybercrime signed by the Moldovan Minister of Home Affairs;

- Cybercrime unit within the Department for Cyber-, Information- and Transborder-Crime established and operating (ca. 25 staff);

- Operational agreements with EUROPOL under preparation;

- In the longer run establishment of a regional police cooperation centre might be envisaged in order to make more efficient use of the various structures existing (including SECI),

- New legal base for SELEC waiting for signature of the Minister of Home Affairs,

- Moldova has a permanent representative in the SECI Centre ensuring information exchange on relevant regional and trans-border law enforcement operations.

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Meeting of the SEECP Ministers of Health (7 November 2008, Chisinau)

- Ministers of Health, in the presence of the representatives of the regional and international organizations and initiatives, adopted the Declaration of the SEECP Ministers of Health „Achievements and challenges of strengthening health system performance through dressing inequalities in health services in South Eastern Europe”.

- Cooperate with international organizations, as well as with donor countries to implement health systems’ reforms in South Eastern Europe,

- Exchange information and experiences as to optimize the infrastructure of the health systems, assuring the increase of cost-efficiency and reduction of inequalities in health service delivery,

- Make wider use of international experiences improving population health, financial risks protection and responsiveness of the system towards the population needs and expectations,

- Make use of efficient multilateral cooperation opportunities including implementation of joint projects aiming at strengthening Health Systems performance.

- Political leaders recognised the need of sustainable strengthening of public health systems;

- In the framework of the meeting bilateral cooperation between Moldova and Albania was signed and formalisation of bilateral cooperation Macedonia has been launched;

- More concrete actions ongoing within the SEEHN initiative.

Informal Meeting of the SEECP Ministers of Foreign Affairs (30 January 2009, Chisinau)

- Necessity to intensify the dialogue and cooperation in the South East European region on all of the priority domains of a major interest: economic and social development; energy and infrastructure; justice and home affairs; security cooperation; building human capital

- Achievement of the long lasting objectives aimed at ensuring the stability, security, sustainable development and prosperity of countries and their people,


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- Assessment of the current difficulties encountered in visa obtaining process for experts from SEECP countries, issuing of the visas at the airport based on special notifi cations,

- Drafting separate articles in the national visa regime documents, defying the category of experts,

- Exchange good practices and experience in the process of visa liberalization with the EU.

Meeting of the Committee of the SEECP Political Directors (7 April 2009, Chisinau)


Meeting of the SEECP Heads of the Consular Services (24 April 2009, Chisinau)

- Discussing and approaching possibilities of facilitating the visa regime for experts from the SEECP participating states, and the RCC Secretariat, MARRI Regional Centre and European Commission should be actively involved and participate in this process.

- Immediate impacts for experts from participating states due to simplification of visa regime;

- Broader impacts for the wider population still missing.

Meeting of the SEECP Authorities for Competition Protection (21-22 May 2009, Chisinau)

- Discussed the aspects related to the “Mechanism and practices of investigation of cartel agreements”;

- Focused on approaching aspects related to the draft document “Mechanism on the information exchange among the SEECP competition authorities”;

- Initiative to establish a systematic cooperation framework among the competition authorities of the SEECP participating states, based on common principles and long-term objectives

- Some political impact in progressively approaching the need to establish a systematic regional framework for competition authorities;

- No detailed follow up of impacts has been possible since the institution in charge has not been available for interview.

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Meeting of the Committee of the SEECP Political Directors (2-3 June 2009, Chisinau)

- Discussed the developments of the SEECP countries in the alignment process to the European standards, principles and values towards the European integration, the European perspective of the states of the region being the driving force for the realization of the democratic internal reforms.


RCC Annual Meeting (4 June 2009, Chisinau)

Meeting of the SEECP Ministers of Foreign Affairs (3-4 June 2009, Chisinau)

Summit of the Heads of State and Government (4-5 June 2009, Chisinau)

- Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges for 2008-2009 which reaffirms the full support of the EU for the European perspective of the Western Balkans, preparation of the negotiations,

- Implementation of the visa facilitation and readmission Agreements between EU and six Participating States,

- Support the RCC in facilitating the establishment of the South Eastern and Central Europe Catastrophe Insurance Facility (SECE-CRIF), aimed to counter the effects of floods, earthquakes and droughts in the region by developing a catastrophe insurance market, thus providing a budgetary relief;

- Support the RCC in facilitating the establishment of the South East Europe Firefighting Regional Centre (SEEFREC) aiming at coordinating firefighting related activities and setting up a joint operational structure and common efforts addressing forest fires disasters in the region.

- Positive political impact in terms of recognising and confirming the need and usefulness of regional cooperation and in giving principal orientation for concrete projects and reform measures,

- Formal establishment of RCC structures fostered,

- SEEFREC has been established for the Western Balkan countries; not relevant for Moldova,

- SECE-GRIF has been established by RCC in cooperation with World Bank,

- Climate Change Framework Action Plan for Adaptation launched by RCC and signed by Ministers of Environment;

- Visa regime assessment among SEECP in cooperation with RCC, Moldova and MARRI carried out;

- Immediate legislative and administrative impacts remain still limited; any substantial socio-economic consequences however need even more time to appear.

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Annex 4 CEI – Activities, Outcomes and Impacts

Central European Initiative (CEI)

Background

The Republic of Moldova became a member of the CEI6 in 1996. Since that Moldova actively participated in the regional cooperation process in Central Europe

and South Eastern Europe, by taking part in most initiatives, processes and regional organizations thus becoming a reliable partner in the process of achieving regional objectives.

Moldova took over the CEI Presidency within the CEI Summit of Prime Ministers that took place in Sofia (Bulgaria), in November 2007. Moldova had to chair the CEI Presidency in a decisive period for the organization, which had been providing the implementation of decisions regarding the CEI transformation in the light of future needs. Thus Moldova assisted the CEI Secretariat with the establishment of the Network of Focal Points. Within the sectoral cooperation, the Moldovan Presidency also urged the involvement of the National Focal Points in the working sessions.

During its Presidency Moldova organised 15 political and sectoral events in Chisinau, namely Ministerial Meetings on Transport, Tourism and Agriculture, Conference on Energy and Scientific Conference.

Objectives of the CEI Presidency

• Implementation of the Decisions on CEI Repositioning

• Development of the CEI – EU dialogue and consolidation of the European perspective of the CEI non-EU member states

• Exchange of experience between the CEI EU and non-EU member states through the implementation of joint projects and transfer of know-how

• Coordination of the establishment of the network of focal points

• Promotion of the awareness about the CEI at the national and international levels

• Strengthening the cooperation and good neighbour relations between the participating states

• Promotion of democratic values and European standards as a firm development mechanism for the entire region

• Cooperation with the South East European Cooperation Process, Regional Cooperation Council and other regional arrangements, with the aim of

6 CEI Member States: Austria, Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Italy, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,

Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Hungary.

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strengthening the cooperation, stability and development of the Central and South Eastern Europe and avoidance of overlapping in their activity

• Coordination of the CEI activities agenda with the participating states, taking into the account the political priorities of the region at that time

• Creation of a favourable framework for common solutions to specific problems that the states of the region are encountering.

Activities


Meeting of the CEI Committee of National Coordinators (31 January 2008, Chisinau)

- Enhance the relations between CEI and European Commission by a common visit to Brussels of the Secretary General of the CEI Executive Secretariat and Moldovan Presidency

- A number of projects were approved.

- Some political impact in terms of recognising and confirming the need and usefulness of regional cooperation and in giving principal orientation for concrete projects and reform measures,

- CEI projects at various stages of preparation and implementation; no immediate effects yet.

CEI Parliamentary Committee (26 May 2008, Chisinau)

- Parliamentarians had an important role in fostering purposeful and well-structured cooperation among governments, public institutions and private sector, leading to the creation of networks oriented and linked with those of the CEI particularly and the EU generally.

- Some impact in progressively linking Moldovan parliamentarians with other CEI colleagues;

- Such efforts are additionally assisted by the EU twinning project between Moldova and France/ Hungary, launched in September 2008 with the aim to strengthen the capacities of the Moldovan parliament.

Meeting of the CEI Ministers of Transport (2-3 July 2008, Chisinau)

Recommendations for CEI Transport Focal Points Network :

- Reset the subject in the Agenda of priorities of the CEI Transport Focal Points;

- Elaborate a Study about multi modal transport in the CEI states with concrete recommendations on modalities of transportation, for interested parts dealing with trade and transport.

- Promote projects on enhancing Partnership between the Public and Private sectors in the region;

- Agreements with EBRD concerning reconstruction of Chisinau airport reached; EBRD will provide a €25.5 million loan, the European Investment Bank will co-finance this project with a €20 million loan, implementation being launched,

- Moldovan project on introducing digital tachographs, applying Public Private Partnership (PPP) principles under preparation (pilot case for implementing

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- Explore and exchange best practices of the Public Private Partnerships in multimodal transport

- Establish linkages between trade associations from CEI countries, in the trade transport and transit areas;

- Establish border links and institution of business linkages between associations dealing with trade and transport in the CEI countries;

- Special attention in this respect should be paid to ecological problems.

PPP in Moldova’s transport sector);

- Initial training on digital tachographs took place for Moldovan experts within the framework of the CEI (sessions held in Romania and Poland),

- thus likely positive socio-economic impacts in future for the Moldovan transport sector;

- not much progress yet made in linking trade transport and transit areas in the CEI.

11th

Summit Economic Forum (8-9 October 2008, Chisinau)

Roundtable of CEI Ministers of Economic Sectors:

- Agreed on the need to take full advantage of the future EU enlargement process to improve macro-economic stability,

- Accelerate structural reforms,

- Complete privatisation process,

- Create a favourable environment for private business activities and foreign investment;

- Ministers stressed the importance of providing a stable investment climate, ensuring an effective and non-discriminatory regulatory framework for investments as well as upgrading infrastructure and education,

- Recognised growing need to think globally but to act in partnership within the CEI framework.

12 formal sessions on “Moldova and the CEI region: bridging East and West”:

- Reforms and investments needed to scale up private entrepreneurship, innovation and competitiveness, fostering also regional integration and trade development,

- Special sessions on Moldova took place in partnership with the Moldovan investment

- Some political impact in the way that CEI delegations welcomed the progress Moldova had made over the last year by moving ahead on its ambitious reform agenda based on the EU-Moldova ENP Action Plan,

- Moldova’s renewed commitment to strengthen its partnership with the European Union was well received by the CEI community,

- Come-together of regional Ministers of Economy and potential donors; however not all possibilities for establishing direct dialogue utilized,

- Likely potential future socio-economic impact in terms of promoting Moldova to possible foreign investors; increased interest by foreign investors as a direct result of the Summit Economic Forum; increasing interest in Moldova’s free economic zones and by potential investors (in particular from Turkey); various FDIs in the pipeline as an immediate consequence of the Summit,

- Further progress in privatisation

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promotion agency.

envisaged, acceleration of auctions for state property likely from beginning of 2010 onwards.

High Level Meeting on Tourism (10 October 2008, Chisinau)

Recommendations for CEI Tourism Focal Points Network:

- Greater co-ordination of regional tourism attractions and activities;

- Development and co-ordination of activities should be reinforced at local and regional levels. Specific resources should be committed to strategic planning, and the provision of product development supports.

- Promote projects to enhance Partnership between the Public and Private sectors in the region;

- Explore and exchange of best practices of the Public Private Partnerships in tourism field;

- Any research on the impact of tourism should be disaggregated on a regional basis and should feed into regional tourism strategies;

- More strategic decisions on planning and investment in regional attractions and infrastructure for the best regional outcome;

- Identification of recommended tourism development strategies for rural areas.

- Some political impact in progressively approaching awareness for the need to enforce strategic and regional concepts for sustainable development of tourism;

- No detailed follow up of impacts has been possible since the institution in charge has not been available for interview.

High Level Meeting on Agriculture (23 October 2008, Chisinau)

Recommendations for Network of Focal Points on Sustainable Agriculture:

- Ensure that all CEI member states nominate their representatives to the Network of Focal Points on Sustainable Agriculture so that it can serve as a real network of experts within the CEI region;

- Enable more frequent contacts among members of the Network;

- Use the Network of Focal Points to exchange

- Moldovan Focal Point on Agriculture operating in line with agreed activities;

- Bilateral cooperation on phytosanitary issues under preparation with Romania;

- Bilateral cooperation project with Poland on trade promotion under negotiation;

- Further joint projects being prepared with guidance from the CEI secretariat.

Annex 4


experience and best practices on applied policies, national strategies and programmes related to agriculture sector. In particular to use the Network to initiate Technical Assistance projects in favour of non-EU CEI member states, in accordance with their needs and by means of CEI funding instruments (e.g. the CEI Know-how Exchange Programme);

- Strengthen regional and cross-border cooperation in the areas of common interest, such as prevention and control of pests and animal diseases, protection of water resources, protection of biodiversity, and sustainable management;

- Develop regional projects and to promote joint initiatives of the CEI with International Organisations and IFIs (FAO, EU, EBRD, Biodiversity International, CGIAR, EFI, etc.);

- Assess the needs of each CEI country in achieving the desideratum “Agriculture for development”;

- Identify common areas for cooperation among CEI countries that would have a positive impact on agricultural development.

International Scientific Conference (24 October 2008, Chisinau)

Recommendations for the CEI networks of focal points:

- Implement interaction mechanisms between the focal points, intensify the exchange of information, profiles of interested institutions and research groups in their countries to collaborate with their counterparts in other CEI countries;

- Reinforce research cooperation agreements between their institutions and promote establishing new frameworks for cooperation;

- Raise awareness of the CEI opportunities for cooperation and funding and encourage the building of relationships between scientific

- Focal Points existing but still need to promote cooperation and communication,

- Under CEI mobility schemes currently one Moldovan researcher included,

- Lack of mobility of Moldovan researcher seriously affects actual involvement in cross-border research,

- Still difficulties for Moldova to find partners for CEI or FP7 projects; currently 15 Moldovan FP7 projects ongoing,

- Centres of excellence in the region still to

Annex 4


communities in the region, while CEI member states should create premises for intensifying the mobility among its states;

- Identify centers of excellence in the region and promote them widely, as well as take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Trieste-based Lead Institutions;

- Support the implementation of feasibility meetings, funded from the CEI Know-how

- Exchange Programme or CEI Cooperation Fund, with respect of developing further cooperative project proposals to be submitted to other funds, especially the Seventh Framework Programme;

- Facilitate the procedures for financial reporting system of the beneficiaries of CEI funding, to prevent delays in delivering of final payments and, consequently, loss of interest for CEI funding instruments in the future;

- Establish closer links between the CEI networks of focal points and the networks of FP7 National Contact Points in the region, organize joint information days and trainings.

be identified.

CEI Parliamentary Assembly (18 November 2008, Chisinau)

- Support the intention of Governments to further focus on the promotion of CEI-EU joint projects within European programmes, in particular involving both EU and non-EU CEI Member States related,

- Stress the significance of the CEI Co-operation Fund for strengthening ties among the CEI countries and supported planned increase of this Found in 2009 as well as encouraged National Governments to consider increasing their financial involvement into other CEI projects, in particular Know-how Exchange Programme and Special Fund for Climate and Environment Protection,


- respective amendment has been adopted by all national parliaments as concerns establishment of a permanent Secretariat of the CEI-PD

- Standing Committee exists in the Rules of Procedure but is still not functioning,

- Sub-committee responsible for relations CEI-PD with parliamentary international and regional organizations was realized

Annex 4


- Welcome the progress of the CEI non-EU Member States in the process of reforms aimed at achieving the EU standards,

- Agree that CEI PD will continue to support, within its mandate, the accession of EU aspirants among the CEI Member States,

- Encourage the Parliaments of the CEI EU Member States to take appropriate steps in order to upgrade CEI - EC relationship and to establish a permanent high-level dialogue between CEI and EC,

- Agree upon the growing importance of Education for Sustainable Development and called the CEI Member States to support all the initiatives aimed at the promotion of Education for Sustainable Development.

by Romanian Delegation during its presidency for 2009.

-

CEI Youth Forum (24 November 2008, Chisinau)

- Encourage mobility via exchange programmes, practical training, knowledge transfer etc. between and among EU Member States and CEI non EU Member States;

- Facilitate access to European education and mobility programmes and strengthen community action programmes such as the Life Long Learning Programme and the Youth in Action Programme; Improve transparency of education systems in Europe and mutual recognition of diplomas and diploma supplements as well as promote the European credit transfer system;

- Support know-how and exchange on the labour market as a result of mobility experience through the creation of databases;

- Promote the diffusion of Europass for the rapid exchange of information between work supply and demand by creating a common database managing personal data such as CVs, academic data, research;

- Give educational institutions the chance to

- Draft documents on increased mobility of youth and mutual recognition of qualification still und preparation by the Ministry of Education; no immediate impact observable.

Annex 4


provide better facilities for teaching and learning foreign languages and for taking part in European educational exchange and mobility programmes

- Simplify mobility administrative procedures, e.g. visa applications in order to encourage mobility of youth on all levels (In EU, outside of EU);

- Make concrete inputs and amendments to the legislation concerning youth and mobility with the aim to enable young people to travel for the purpose of training, education, volunteering, exchange or representative and statutory meetings.

Meeting of the CEI Committee of National Coordinators (25-26 November 2008, Chisinau)

Meeting of the CEI Ministers of Foreign Affairs (27 November 2008, Chisinau)

- Assist non EU members in their reforms in political, economic and social spheres in order to be in line with those of the EU countries, focus on the project implementation,

- A need for a practical harmonization of the Networks of Focal Points and a further enhancement of their work in order to give more impetus at expert level for the continuing of a project-oriented cooperation.


- Communication and coordination within the Focal Points Network still requires enforcement.

CEI Summit of Heads of Government (28 November 2008, Chisinau)

- Welcome the “Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2008-2009” of November 2008 which reiterates the EU’s commitment to the European perspective of the Western Balkans and confirms the continuation of the EU Enlargement Process

- Acknowledge the Enlargement Strategy which contains the Road Map for reaching the final stage of accession negotiations with Croatia, acknowledge the continuous efforts of Macedonia.

- Welcome the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreements (SAAs) with Bosnia and Herzegovina and with Serbia, also welcome

- Positive political impact in terms of recognising and confirming the need and usefulness of regional cooperation and in giving principal orientation for concrete projects and reform measures,

- Political support given to candidate and potential candidate countries,

- Moldova’s renewed commitment to strengthen its partnership with the European Union was well received by the CEI community,

Annex 4


with satisfaction the implementation of the Interim Agreements with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, and expressed hope that the Interim Agreement with Serbia and Albania will enter into force soon.

- Welcome the entering into force of the Visa Facilitation

- Agreements with a number of countries in the Region, signed with the EU, encouraged the countries of the Western Balkans to consider moving towards a visa free regime in the region,

- Welcome the ongoing work on the preparation of the EU´s Eastern Partnership, closer political and economic cooperation between the EU and the East European and Caucasus countries

- Underline the importance of the Mobility Partnership which will promote a better framework for legal mobility, providing more effective ways of integration and protection for migrants, and, at the same time reducing the risks of illegal migration and traffi cking in human beings, while matching labour market demands

- Welcome the initiatives of EU Member States to introduce Twinning Programmes in the region.

Annex 5


Annex 5 MAG RACVIAC – Activities, Outcomes and Impacts

Multinational Advisory Group of the Centre for Security Cooperation (MAG RACVIAC)

Background

Moldova joined the Regional Arms Control Verification and Implementation Assistance Centre (RACVIAC)7 Initiative as a fully fledged member, in 2004. As a

part of the October 2007 Zagreb meeting of the Multinational Advisory Group (MAG) of the RACVIAC, Moldova took over the Chairmanship in Office of the MAG RACVIAC for the year 2008. The Chairmanship in Office of MAG RACVIAC was headed by the Deputy Head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the National Army of the Republic of Moldova.

Within the MAG Chairmanship in Office, Moldova organized the 19th meeting of MAG RACVIAC, as well as a number of events in the field of security, military conversion and other events relevant to the process of reorganization of the regional initiatives in SEE.

Objectives of the MAG RACVIAC Presidency

No specific objectives defined

Activities


19th meeting of MAG RACVIAC (9-11 April 2008, Chisinau)

- Two working groups established, dealing with the two most important strategic issues for the future of the Centre – New Organisation (chaired by Turkey) and Legal Status (chaired by Croatia).

- A number of events in the field of security, military conversion and other events relevant to

- 21st MAG RACVIAC (March 2009): the Working Group at the level of the legal experts agreed on the provisions of the Agreement, and the Chairmanship of the Working Group submitted the Draft Agreement to the MAG;

- 22nd

MAG RACVIAC meeting (Oct 2009):

7 RACVIAC Member States: Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hellenic Republic,

Hungary, Italy, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Republic of Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Serbia, Sweden, Turkey, UK.

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the process of reorganization of the regional initiatives in SEE.

MAG took note of the expressed readiness of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey to sign the RACVIAC Legal Status Agreement, as well as the negative answer from Bulgaria.

- Due to lack of consensus among some of the RACVIAC members the new legal statute has still not been adopted; it is also still to be approved by the Moldovan parliament; thus no impact observable yet.

Annex 6


Annex 6 SEEHN – Activities, Outcomes and Impacts

South East European Health Network (SEEHN)

Background

The SEE Health Network is a political forum set up to coordinate, implement and evaluate the commitments of the Dubrovnik Pledge and its regional projects for developing health policy and services. The main purpose of the Network is to provide leadership and to sustain project ownership by the countries in the region. The Network was founded in Sofia, Bulgaria, in April 2001 by the signatories of the Dubrovnik Pledge

8. The Pledge is part of the Stability Pact's Initiative for

Social Cohesion in the region.

According to the rotational principle, the Republic of Moldova took over the Presidency to the South Eastern Europe Health Network, exercising the mandate during half a year, from 1

January to 30

June 2008.

Objectives of the SEEHN Presidency


Activities


18th

Meeting of the SEEHN (30 May-1 June 2008, Chisinau)

- Discussed the draft document on “Call for proposals for the establishment of the SEEHN Secretariat”,

- launch of the signing process of the Memorandum of Understanding on the future of the South Eastern Europe Health Network in the framework of the South East European

- Declarations signed; due to their long-term character no immediate impacts on population observable yet;

- SEEHN Secretariat established, hosted by Macedonia, thus facilitating the more efficient implementation of the SEEHN operations;

8 Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. At its fourth meeting

in May 2002, the Network was further strengthened when joined by Moldova, Greece, Hungary and Slovenia.

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Cooperation Process 2008 and beyond; - Launched the signing process of the

Declarations of Ministers of Health of the SEEHN “Strengthening regional capacities for epidemic preparedness and response to implement International Health Regulations” and “Long-term programme for regional collaboration and development in mental health”.

- Health network capacity to develop by itself is increasing;

- Moldova Ministry of Health considers application for a regional health development centre for mother and child care.

WHO Ministerial Conference “Health Systems, Health and Wealth” (25-27 June 2008, Tallinn)

- Delivered by the Moldovan Presidency on behalf of SEEHN, a Common Statement on the Tallinn Charter

9 regarding the Health Systems in the

framework of the SEEHN.

- Some political impact - importance of strengthening public health systems in line with Tallinn charter being disseminated.

9 The purpose of this Charter is to commit Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the European Region to improving people’s health by

strengthening health systems, while acknowledging social, cultural and economic diversity across the Region. The Tallinn Charter reaffirms and adopts the values embodied in earlier charters and declarations.

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Annex 7 CEFTA – Activities, Outcomes and Impacts

Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA)

Background

Starting with 1 January 2008, Moldova took over the Presidency of the new CEFTA10

. Within the Presidency, Moldova organized an ordinary meeting of the CEFTA Joint Committee, meeting of the CEFTA Prime Ministers and 3 Sub-committees (April - June 2008). The Sub-committee dealing with agricultural issues was chaired by Moldova but that of customs and standards by Serbia and Montenegro. Within the Presidency special attention was given on the creation of the CEFTA Secretariat.

Objectives of the CEFTA Presidency


Activities


CEFTA Subcommittee on Agriculture, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (24-25 April 2008, Chisinau)

- CEFTA representatives addressed a series of subjects particularly concerning the exchange of statistical data regarding the regional trade with agricultural products, concessions, valuing the negotiated quotas within the CEFTA Agreement.

- Moreover, existing commercial disputes in the region were discussed.

- A coordinated Action Plan was elaborated and transmitted to the parties through diplomatic channels.

- Action plan approved and implementation has started;

- Signification progress has been made as concerns mutual recognition of sanitary and phytosanitary statements, thus facilitating harmonisation and trade liberalisation in agriculture,

- Some progress in addressing the requirement of the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Nutrition (RASFF) noticeable.

10 Founding Member States: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo on behalf of Kosovo.

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CEFTA Subcommittee on Customs and Rules of Origin, (19 Mai 2008, Podgorica)

- Parties examined the cooperation among Customs administrations, with emphasis on statistics and harmonisation with the EU legislation;

- A more selective approach to the request for post verification of the proofs of origin was decided.

- Cases of application of diagonal cumulation with the EU were examined;

- Approaches to strengthening of administrative capacities and improving communication with economic operators for implementation of the Agreement were explored.

- Some progress in addressing the requirement of harmonising Customs related statistics with EU requirement noticeable.

CEFTA Subcommittee on Non-Tariff and Tariff Barriers in Trade (TBT and NTB), (5-6 June 2008, Belgrade)

- Negative impact of TBT and NTB on the regional trade was assessed, including reports on specific problems identified in respective business communities;

- A methodology has been proposed to monitor situation in this field;

- Need for regular exchange of information with business community through CEFTA Forum of Chambers has been stressed and co-operation with relevant international project in the field;

- In compliance with the Article 13, communication between relevant ministries and bodies has been established in all Parties;

- Parties agreed to identify specific sectors/products of interest for export to other CEFTA Parties as a basis for identification and further action between interested CEFTA Parties on possible conclusion of plurilateral or bilateral agreements on harmonisation of technical regulations and standards and mutual recognition of conformity assessment

- Moderate progress in reducing NTB and TBT, discussions ongoing,

- Action Plan has been launched for implementation; no specific outcome identifiable yet.

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procedures, - Action Plan with timetable on further

concessions and steps for further liberalisation among CEFTA Parties has been discussed.

CEFTA Mixed Committee (7-8 October 2008,

Chisinau), preceded by a meeting of CEFTA Agreement member experts

- Exchange of information regarding the trade within CEFTA members discussed,

- Analysis of applied commercial and agricultural policies, registered results after the Subcommittees, as well as the evaluation of the impact of the non-tariff and tariff barriers.

- Moreover, the following documents were approved: (i) outline strategic work programme for the CEFTA Secretariat for the 2009 – 2011; (ii) Decision of the CEFTA Mixed Committee regarding the payment of the financial contribution of the CEFTA members in the Secretariat Budget; (iii) Ministerial Decision from 8 October 2008, approved in the CEFTA Mixed Committee meeting.

- CEFTA Secretariat in Brussels established, staffed and operating, thus facilitating more efficient operations of CEFTA and increased liaising with EU institutions.

- Further progress in trade liberalisation of the agriculture sector; however taking into account the moderate volume of intra-regional trade, in particular in agriculture socio-economic impacts are likely to be moderate.

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Annex 8 List of Interviews

Institution Interviewee Date

UNDP Project “Building Institutional Capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration” 31 August 1989 str., 80 Chisinau

Mr. Alexandru Pelivan Project Manager

09/11/2009 16/11/2009 18/11/2009

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Department for European Integration Regional Cooperation Directorate 31 August 1989 str., 80 Chisinau

Ms. Gabriela Moraru Director

09/11/2009 20/11/2009

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Department for European Integration 31 August 1989 str., 80 Chisinau

Mr. Valeriu Gheorghiu Director

09/11/2009


Ms. Mariana Roibu Chief of Section

09/11/2009 12/11/2009 20/11/2009

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Department for European Integration Directorate for Regional Cooperation 31 August 1989 str., 80 Chisinau

Ms. Carina Blanovschi Counsellor

09/11/2009 12/11/2009

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Regional Cooperation Section 31 August 1989 str., 80 Chisinau

Ms. Liliana Gutan Head of Section

09/11/2009

Centre for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption Str. Stefan cel Mare 198 Chisinau

Mr. Radu Cotici Senior Officer

09/11/2009

Ministry of Education Department of International Relations and European Integration Piata Marii Adunari Nationale, 1 Chisinau

Ms. Victoria Isac Senior Education Consultant

10/11/2009

Moldovan Court of Accounts International Relations Division Bd. �tefan cel Mare 69 Chişinău

Ms. Lidia Tomuzei Head

10/11/2009

Moldovan Court of Accounts International Relations Division Bd. �tefan cel Mare 69 Chişinău

Mr. Sergiu Ivanov Senior Officer

10/11/2009

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Ministry of Home Affairs Disaster Prevention International Relations Department Gheorghe Asachi str., 69 Chisinau

Ms. Svetlana Drobot Head of Department

11/11/2009

Ministry of Justice General Division, International Relations 31 August 1989 str., 82 Chisinau

Mr. Valentin Rosca Counsellor

11/11/2009

Ministry of Justice 31 August 1989 str., 82 Chisinau

Mr. Gheorghe Nicolaescu Legal Adviser

11/11/2009

Ministry of Defence Military Cooperation Department Hincesti str., 84 Chisinau

Mr. Grigore Chirica Lieutnant Colonel

12/11/2009

Ministry of Defence Strategic Policy Department Hincesti str., 84 Chisinau

Mr. Oleg Mulco Lieutnant Colonel

12/11/2009

Ministry of Defence International Relations Department Hincesti str., 84 Chisinau

Ms. Diana Molodilo Counsellor

12/11/2009

Ministry of Home Affairs Department of International Affairs and European Integration Bd. �tefan cel Mare 69 Chisinau

Mr. Victor Sotchi Chief

12/11/2009

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry International Relations and Marketing Division Bd. �tefan cel Mare 69 Chisinau

Ms. Emilia Cainarean Head

12/11/2009

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration International Law Department Legal Affairs Division 31 August 1989 str., 80 Chisinau

Mr. Vadim Zmeu Deputy Head

12/11/2009

Ministry of Health Department of International Relations and External Assistance V. Alecsandri str., 2 Chisinau

Ms. Eugenia Berzan Head of Department

13/11/2009

National Assembly of Moldova Division on Foreign Parliamentary Relations; Secretary of the Parliament delegation to CEI – PD Chisinau

Ms. Viorica Gradinaru Chief Adviser

13/11/2009

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Mr. Alexandru Mocanu 3

rd Secretary

16/11/2009


Mr. Stefan Buciuscanu Attachè

16/11/2009


Mr. Sergiu Sagaidac 3

rd Secretary

16/11/2009

- Chisinau

Mr. Dumitru Tira Former Director Regional Cooperation Directorate

16/11/2009

UNDP Moldova Chisinau

Mr. Markus Broich Consultant

17/11/2009

UNDP Moldova Chisinau

Mr. Alexandru Zusninlian Consultant

17/11/2009

Austrian Embassy Coordination Office for Technical Cooperation Mateevci str., 23B Chisinau

Mr. Michael Schieder Head of Office

18/11/2009

Ministry of Economy and Trade Trade Regimes and WTO Division Piata Marii Adunari Nationale, 1 Chisinau

Ms. Inetta Panurco Head of Division

18/11/2009

Ministry of Economy and Trade Piata Marii Adunari Nationale, 1 Chisinau

Ms. Tatiana Udrea Adviser on External Assistance

18/11/2009

Ministry of Economy and Trade Investment Policy Directorate Piata Marii Adunari Nationale, 1 Chisinau

Ms. Tatiana Cerchez Director

18/11/2009

Ministry of Economy and Trade Bilateral and Multilateral Cooperation Division Piata Marii Adunari Nationale, 1 Chisinau

Mr. Oleg Izvoreanu Counsellor

18/11/2009

Ministry of Economy and Trade Moldovan Investment and Export Promotion Organisation Mateevci str., 65 Chisinau

Mr. Andrei Timush Executive Director

18/11/2009

Annex 8



Ministry of Transport and Road Infrastructure External Relations and European Integration Division Chisinau

Ms. Elena Darii Deputy Chief

19/11/2009

Academy of Sciences Department of European Integration and International Cooperation European Integration Unit Bd. �tefan cel Mare 1 Chisinau

Ms. Elena Severin Head of Unit

19/11/2009

Academy of Sciences Department of European Integration and International Cooperation European Integration Unit Bd. �tefan cel Mare 1 Chisinau

Ms. Lucia Nastasiuc Deputy Head of Unit

19/11/2009

Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Austria Unit for South-East Europe Minoritenplatz 8 Vienna

Mr. Thomas Schnöll Head of Unit, CEI Deputy Coordinator

23/11/2009

Federal Ministry of Defence of Austria Vienna

Mr. Wolfgang Wechselberger Former RACVIAC Planning Officer

24/11/2009

Annex 9


Annex 9 List of Documents

Name of Originator

Date

Title of Document

Republic of Moldova 2009 Report Chairmanship-in-Office of the Republic of Moldova South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) 2008-2009, including all annexes

Republic of Moldova 2008 Report of the Moldovan Presidency to the Central European Initiative 2008, including all annexes

Republic of Moldova 2009 Report on the functioning and implementation of CEFTA in 2008, including all annexes

Republic of Moldova 2009

Report on the Chairmanship of the Republic of Moldova to the Multi-National Advisory Group (MAG) of the Centre for Security Cooperation (RACVIAC) 2008

Republic of Moldova 2008 Report on the Presidency of the Republic of Moldova to the South East European Health Network 1 January – 30 June 2008

CEI 2009 11

th CEI Summit Economic Forum; Moldova and the

CEI Region: Bridging East and West; Final Report

CEI 2008 Guidelines and Rules of Procedure

CEI 2008/2009 Newsletters no. 60-66

Parliament of Romania/ CEI 2009 Romanian Presidency of the CEI-PD 2009; Parliamentary Committee May 7-9, 2009; Conclusions of the President

RACVIAC 2009 Draft Agreement on RACVIAC Legal Status; March 2009

SEEHN 2009

Memorandum of Understanding on the Future of the Southeastern Europe Health Network in the framework of the South East European Cooperation Process (2008 and beyond); 22 April 2009

SEEHN 2008 Eighteenth & Nineteenth Meetings of Senior Government Officials of Countries in South-eastern Europe

CEFTA Secretariat 2008 Outline Strategic Work Programme 2008-2011

Council of Europe/ WHO 2006 Health and Economic Development in South-Eastern Europe

RCC 2009 Strategic Work Programme of the RCC 2009-2010

Republic of Moldova/ UNO/ UNDP

2007 Country Programme Action Plan 2007-2011

UNDP 2006 UNDP country programme for the Republic of Moldova 2007-2011

UNDP Project Document “Building Institutional Capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration”

UNDP 2009 UNDP: Handbook on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluating for Development Results

Annex 9


Name of Originator

Date

Title of Document

European Commission 2007 Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy in 2007 - Progress Report Republic of Moldova

European Commission 2008 Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy in 2008 - Progress Report Republic of Moldova

European Commission - European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument – Republic of Moldova; National Indicative Programme 2007-2010

European Commission - European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument – Republic of Moldova; Country Strategy Paper 2007-2013

European Commission/ Republic of Moldova

- EU-Moldova Action Plan

Czech Presidency - Priorities in the EU-Moldova relations during the Czech Presidency of the European Union (January-June 2009)

IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA … · An assessment of the Regional Cooperation...

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