ROMANIAN FM VISIT A STEP FORWARD IN A

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 CHISINAU 000735 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/UMB E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2018 TAGS: PGOV MD RO SUBJECT: ROMANIAN FM VISIT A STEP FORWARD IN A STRAINED RELATIONSHIP Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Rudolf V. Perina for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Romanian Foreign Minister Comanescu's July 7 visit to Moldova was viewed in Chisinau as a successful step forward in bilateral relations. Though no decisions were made on signing a border treaty, President Voronin said he would agree to the Romanian request to open a consulate in Cahul, as he hoped this would lead to the signing of the border and political treaties. In return, Chisinau is requesting a Moldovan consulate in Iasi. President Voronin invited President Basescu to visit Moldova. End Summary. The Visit Was Successful Because It Happened -------------- ¶2. (C) Romanian Foreign Minister Lazar Comanescu visited Chisinau July 7, and held official meetings with President Voronin, Foreign Minister Stratan, Prime Minister Greceanii, Speaker Lupu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Dodon and Chisinau Mayor Chirtoaca. In a July 9 meeting with Charge Perina, FM Stratan opined that the greatest achievement of the visit was the very fact that it took place and was carried out in a cordial atmosphere after such a long time without bilateral meetings. The Foreign Minister expressed the hope that the visit will lead to further improvement in bilateral relations, following the opening of consulates and signing of border and political treaties. The Romanian Ambassador also told us he thought the visit was successful in improving the bilateral political atmosphere. He said that Romania is making an effort to improve relations. No Forward Movement on Border Treaty -------------- ¶3. (C) Stratan reported that the Romanian side did not indicate when it would be ready to sign the border treaty. However, Stratan expressed his view that there are no outstanding issues remaining in the text of the agreement, the only issue remaining is its name. The two previous stumbling blocks (recalling the 1947 treaty establishing the border, which the Romanian side objected to because it referred to a 1940 document signed under war duress, and the question of language) have been solved. Moldova agreed to remove mention of the previous agreement. The language issue was solved by removing any mention of whether Moldova called �00A;its language Moldovan or Romanian, leaving only a reference to "the official language of the state." The outstanding question regarding the title of the accord remains. The Romanian side wants to call it a "Border Regime Treaty," while the Moldovans view it as a "Border Treaty." New Consulates Part of Roadmap for Improving Relations -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) Stratan said that Minister Comanescu had asked President Voronin to allow Romania to open another consulate in Moldova. According to Stratan, Voronin had responded positively, saying that he would agree to a Romanian consulate in Cahul as he hoped it would unfreeze relations and allow the two countries to sign the outstanding border and political treaties. In exchange for a Romanian consulate in Cahul, Moldova would like to open one in Iasi. If Romania requested a consulate in Balti, continued Stratan, Moldova would seek one in Constanta. Stratan said that the MFA is now preparing a diplomatic note to Bucharest asking them to accept a Moldovan consulate in Iasi. ¶5. (C) Stratan's roadmap for improved bilateral relations would include rapid Romanian acceptance of the Moldovan proposal for a consulate in Iasi and prompt opening of a Romanian consulate in Cahul. He suggested that the positive step of opening these two consulates could pave the way CHISINAU 00000735 002 OF 003 for signing of the Border Treaty and Small Traffic Convention. After that, the two sides could move on to the question of consulates in Balti and Constanta. However, Stratan expressed concerns that the Romanian side would delay opening in Cahul because they realize that, the next step would be the border treaty. Stratan noted that Comanescu might face domestic opposition back in Bucharest, and thus it was difficult to project a timeline for the consulates and the treaties. Invitation for Romanian President to Visit Moldova -------------- -------------- - ¶6. (C) During Comanescu's meeting with President Voronin, the Moldovan side extended an invitation to President Basescu to visit Moldova. Stratan said that with these initiatives, Moldova was doing everything it could to unblock bilateral problems and move forward in relations with Romania. Discussions of Transnistria Conflict with Chisinau Mayor -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶7. (C) After Comanescu's meeting with Mayor Chirtoaca, the Romanian Foreign Minister told the press that the two had discussed European integration and the Transnistrian conflict. Comment: Comanescu apparently had a more wide- ranging dialog with the openly pro-Romanian mayor of Chisinau than with the central government. Clearly, he was more open to the press after that meeting than at the joint press conference between the two foreign ministers, at which no questions were taken. As the Chisinau mayor does not have any input into the Transnistrian issue, Romanian engagement with him on this serves only to further anger the central government, which is already upset with Chirtoaca's persistent efforts to address bilateral Moldovan-Romanian issues. End Comment. Meetings with Prime Minister and Parliamentary Speaker -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶8. (C) According to press reports, Comanescu's meeting with Prime Minister Greceanii focused on economic cooperation between the two countries. In the first quarter of 2008, trade exchanges increased by 36 percent from last year, and stood at about one billion dollars. The minister pointed out that all Moldovan-Romanian economic issues will be discussed during the Moldovan- Romanian joint commission for economic cooperation, which will take place in September ¶2008. Press reports on Comanescu's meeting with Speaker Lupu referred vaguely to discussions of long-term cooperation and projects beneficial for the citizens of the two countries. Comment -------------- ¶9. (C) The visit of Romanian Foreign Minister Comanescu represents a badly-needed improvement in the state of bilateral relations between the two countries. Though improving relations with Romania is clearly in the Moldovan interest, Presidents Voronin and Basescu have appeared unable to carry out the most minimal diplomatic niceties. Bilateral discussions regarding consulates in Cahul and Balti have a sorry history. President Voronin had already agreed in January 2007, to let Romania open these two consulates as a result of the visa crunch following Romania's accession to the EU. By March of that year, however, he withdrew his permission as bilateral relations soured in a sea of mutual accusations. Hopefully the positive momentum rekindled by Comanescu's visit will promote a more functional and productive relationship. CHISINAU 00000735 003 OF 003 PERINA