APE staff

Foreign ministers from the 27 EU member states faced a complex agenda as they met in Luxembourg, staking out cautious positions in response to developments in Iran and Israel. The ministers extended an invitation to Moldova to hold talks on a new cooperation agreement as soon as the EU is satisfied Chisinau is committed to reforms.

It has been just over a month since the European Union attempted to draw six post-Soviet neighbors -- Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia -- closer to its orbit with its Eastern Partnership program. But a new report by the European Council on Foreign Relations blasts the EU for what it calls its "complacent" and "long-term" strategy in the region, and warns that without fast action to engage the eastern neighbors.

"The Council recalls its strong commitment to further deepening the relationship between the EU and the Republic of Moldova, on the basis of shared values and principles. The Eastern Partnership, launched in Prague on 7 May as a specific Eastern dimension of the ENP,provides a new, ambitious framework for taking the EU-Republic of Moldova relationship to a new level. The Council is committed to enhancing EU support for further political and economic reforms in the Republic of Moldova, aimed in particular at strengthening democracy and good governance, the rule of law, freedom of the media and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Council welcomes in this context the Commission's intention to launch a comprehensive package for democracy support in the Republic of Moldova.

The partnership was launched on May 7 in Prague to lackluster reviews as several key European leaders -- most notably Gordon Brown, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Silvio Berlusconi -- failed to show up. Many who did come crossed their fingers that a notorious invitee, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, would stay far away. As it turns out, the Belarusian leader didnt make it and neither did then- (and still-) acting Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin.

In the context of the recent political events that took place in Chisinau, the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives IDIS „Viitorul” carried out a study entitled Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation - an obstacle in the development of democracy in the post-soviet region” http://www.viitorul.org/lib.php?l=ro&idc=296. This research offers a detailed analysis of the reasons for the failure of democratic transition in the post-soviet region with a special focus on external factors.

On May 27 this year, at the regional reunion of Russian ethnics from Ukraine, Moldova and Belorusia Valeri Kuzmin declared that in regard to raising the Russian language at the level of state language” in the Republic of Moldova „no positive dynamics has been noticed lately” and that the problem deserves an enhanced attention”. As stated by the Ambassador, in the period of aggravation of internal political situation which took place immediately after the elections, a sharpening of interethnic relations has also been noticed.

On May 20, the Moldovan opposition passed its first real test of unity when it effectively boycotted the session of the new Parliament -- elected in the controversial polls of April 5 -- that was convened to choose the country's next president. Rapid-fire, there will be another, possibly decisive vote for president, and Vladimir Voronin, the Communist Party head, Parliament speaker, and acting president, called it for May 28.

European Union policy toward its neighbours to the east is in trouble, despite the launch of its new Eastern Partnership. European public opinion is increasingly introspective and sporadically protectionist. So what is to be done about the "grey zone" to Europe's east -- the six countries that now lie between the EU and Russia? Inaction is unacceptable. The region has been badly hit by the economic crisis, made all the worse by internal political turmoil and serious security dangers.

"With Moldova's horde of guest workers heading home, the effects of global recession will hit Europe's poorest country hard. This crisis could be used to unlock its frozen conflict with Transnistria", comments Louis O'Neill

European Parliament resolution of 7 May 2009 on the situation in the Republic of Moldova The European Parliament ,și having regard to its previous resolutions on the Republic of Moldova, in particular that of 24 February 2005 on the parliamentary elections in Moldova(1) , as