MOLDOVA NOT PLEASED WITH ITS PLACEMENT IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CHISINAU 001270 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/UMB E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN MD SUBJECT: MOLDOVA NOT PLEASED WITH ITS PLACEMENT IN EU'S EASTERN PARTNERSHIP Sensitive But Unclassified. Please Protect Accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Moldova is unhappy with a European Commission offer that puts it on the path to closer ties to the EU, but only in association with other CIS countries. On December 3, the European Commission officially proposed an Eastern Partnership to promote upgraded political and economic cooperation with six of the EU's eastern neighbors, including Moldova. However, the GOM would have preferred to be grouped with Southeastern European states, such as those in the Balkans, that have better prospects for European integration. ¶2. (SBU) Though Romania initially supported Moldova's Balkan-group preference, more recent Romanian statements have suggested the partnership as Moldova's "ticket to Europe." Moldova now appears to have no choice but to accept the partnership as the next platform from which to continue its aspirations towards European integration. This is an offer Moldova cannot refuse. End summary. Eastern Partnership to Offer Advantages -------------- ¶3. (U) The Eastern Partnership is a joint Polish and Swedish initiative that was initially suggested in May to include six of the EU's eastern neighbors -- Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. The partnership plans significant financial assistance and a new type of EU Association Agreement that would include comprehensive trade agreements. Support for its launching on December 3 was boosted by the conflict in Georgia this past August, but the partnership will still require final approval by the EU Council next spring. ¶4. (U) Under the Eastern Partnership, the EU will provide significant financial assistance to help the partner countries enhance their administrative capacities and thus facilitating reforms. The EU will also fund infrastructure projects to strengthen the energy security of partner countries, thus helping to ensure its own security. The list of priorities also includes free trade zones with the EU and within the partnership, economic integration with the EU, and an easier visa regime for travel to the EU. The Eastern Partnership will adopt an individual approach to each country and the advancement of relations with the EU will depend on each country's performance. Moldova not Pleased with Eastern Partnership -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Although the Eastern Partnership was intended to offer benefits to its members, Moldova was not happy to be grouped with the Eastern bloc, and had hoped instead to be included with the countries of south-eastern Europe that have better prospects for future membership. Thus far, Moldova has refrained from making any public comments on the Eastern Partnership offer. Romania Initially Supported Moldova's Position -------------- - ¶6. (SBU) Romania initially supported the Moldovan position. Both Romanian President Basescu and the Romanian Foreign Ministry made statements declaring that the Eastern Partnership was intended to prevent countries such as Moldova from accession to the EU. However, on December 4, Romanian Ambassador to Moldova Filip Teodorescu performed what appeared to be a complete turnaround and told the press that the EP represented "Moldova's ticket to Europe." Comment: Moldova Lacks a Better Alternative -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The GOM regards its inclusion in the CHISINAU 00001270 002 OF 002 Eastern Partnership as a rejection of its efforts to secure a more ambitious status for Moldova within the EU. Moldova would much prefer to sign an Association Agreement that offers a clearer European perspective. At the same time, the partnership is envisaged as an asymmetric initiative, which will offer different speeds of integration to its partners. Thus, if Moldova advances more quickly in its reforms, it may gain its integration objectives sooner than other CIS countries. As long as the EU refuses to give Moldova clearer signals on its longer-term prospects for integration, the Eastern Partnership will remain Moldova's best option. However, Moldova is still expecting a new agreement on EU- Moldova relations to be adopted soon, as a follow- on to the Action Plan that expired earlier this year. For now Moldova would be wise to accept the half-full glass of Eastern Partnership with prospects of more and better things to come. CHAUDHRY