Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RIGA379
2007-05-21 12:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riga
Cable title:  

MOLDOVAN PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO RIGA

Tags:  PREL EAID EUN MD LG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1316
PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHRA #0379/01 1411217
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 211217Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY RIGA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4037
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RIGA 000379 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2017
TAGS: PREL EAID EUN MD LG
SUBJECT: MOLDOVAN PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO RIGA

REF: RIGA 00358

Classified By: Charge D'Affaires Tamir G. Waser 1.4(d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RIGA 000379

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2017
TAGS: PREL EAID EUN MD LG
SUBJECT: MOLDOVAN PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO RIGA

REF: RIGA 00358

Classified By: Charge D'Affaires Tamir G. Waser 1.4(d)


1. (C) Summary: On May 18, Charge met with Latvian MFA U/S
for bilateral affairs Edgars Skuja and MFA staff to discuss
the recent visit of Moldovan PM Tarlev and Deputy PM Osterlap
to Latvia. Skuja stated the visit was highly successful and
expressed appreciation for EUR DAS Kramer's recent meetings
(reftel) on Moldova. Skuja then highlighted Moldovan
frustrations with some EU states on issues such as a trade
preference agreement, a visa facilitation agreement, and
Latvian efforts to assist Moldova. Charge praised the GOL's
efforts to use Latvia as a staging ground for Moldovan
officials to deepen ties with the Baltic States and the
broader EU. End Summary.


2. (C) Latvian U/S Skuja opened the meeting by observing that
PM Tarlev's visit came off very well. Skuja expressed
appreciation for EUR DAS David Kramer's visit (reftel) to
Latvia, noting, "The Moldovans took this as strong gesture of
support and approval." Skuja and his staff then provided a
detailed breakdown of the issues that were discussed during
the visit.

Trade Preferences
--------------


3. (C) The Moldovans expressed frustration that the French,
Portuguese, and Spanish are resisting a trade preference
agreement between the EU and Moldova. In particular, these
countries oppose the importation of Moldovan wine, as it
would compete with their home-grown industries. Charge asked
Skuja to keep us informed of developments in this area.

Visa Facilitation Agreement
--------------


4. (C) Similar to trade preferences, the Moldovans expressed
frustration with certain EU countries that oppose moving
quickly on a visa facilitation agreement. According to
Skuja, France, Belgium, Portugal, and the Netherlands have
raised objections to the draft agreement concluded in April.
He stated that these countries feel the process has gone "too
far, too fast." Skuja then noted that the GOL would like to
work with the Moldovans to organize meetings at the political
director and ambassadorial level at which the Moldovans can
lobby EU countries on these types of issues. Such meetings
would target in particular officials from more skeptical EU
countries such as France. Skuja added that in general
Moldova wants closer contacts with France and Germany.

Technical Cooperation Between Moldova and Latvia
-------------- ---


5. (C) PM Tarlev was impressed by a GOL presentation on
cooperation in the area of banking oversight. According to
Skuja, Tarlev decided during this trip to pursue further
collaboration with Latvia in this area. Both countries will
pursue further cooperation at the expert level. The Latvian
MFA plans to send experts to Chisinau in June, and the
Moldovans plan to send officials to Latvia in August.

Other Issues
--------------


6. (C) EUBAAM--Skuja stated several times that PM Tarlev
likes the results of the EU border control assistance mission
and wants to see this mission extended and broadened. Skuja
said that participating nations would be meeting in the near
future, but expressed skepticism that contributing states
would want to take on any kind of executive law enforcement
role. After all, the purpose of EUBAAM was to assist the
Moldovans in carrying out this function, not do it for them.

TRANSNISTRIA--Deputy Minister Osterlap raised some concerns
on Transnistria. Specifically, he asserted that some
Transnistrian banks are receiving cooperation from
institutions within EU member states. One example was a
Gazprom Bank in Transnistria that he claimed has gotten
certificates from EU institutions and/or member states.
Skuja admitted that the GOL lacked information on this issue
and was seeking clarification and more information from the
Moldovans.

ADVISOR FROM LATVIA--PM Tarlev asked Latvia to consider
providing him an advisor on EU integration issues to work
directly in the PM's office. Skuja said that while many of
the line ministries had such advisors from newer EU member
states, Tarlev wanted one to look at the whole of government.
Latvia is interested in the idea, but looking to see if they
have someone with the right experience in their own accession
process who would be a good fit for this role.

RIGA 00000379 002 OF 002


WASER