NEW FOREIGN MINISTER LEANCA SUPPORTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CHISINAU 000742 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/UMB E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KTIP EAID PINR MD SUBJECT: NEW FOREIGN MINISTER LEANCA SUPPORTS SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE U.S. Classified by: Ambassador Asif J. Chaudhry for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Ambassador's September 25 meeting with Foreign Minister Iurie Leanca was the very first the minister had held in his new capacity. Commenting on the historic appropriateness of holding his very first official meeting with the American Ambassador, Leanca affirmed his government's desire to maintain a special relationship with the United States. He assured an open-minded approach, and a desire to consult with the USG on policy decisions. Leanca supports an enhanced role for the U.S. in Transnistria negotiations and promised progress on TIP. Leanca will be ready to meet DAS Russell when he visits October 5. End Summary. Moldova Will Have Special Relationship with U.S. -------------- --- ¶2. (C) In a September 25 meeting, newly-confirmed Minister for Foreign Affairs Iurie Leanca told the Ambassador it was historically appropriate that his very first meeting since being confirmed as minister earlier in that day, was with the United States Ambassador. Leanca pointed to Prime Minister Filat's program which had been presented to the Parliament that morning, in which a "special relationship to the U.S." had been included. ¶3. (C) The Ambassador assured Leanca that in turn, the USG would focus on Moldova as a friend. The USG would work with Moldova, he said, on building freedoms and democracy. The USG would emphasize economic reform and Transnistria settlement, as well as social issues such as trafficking. ¶4. (C) In response, Leanca assured the Ambassador that the new government shared the same approaches and opinions as the USG. "You will find the new government to be open-minded" he assured. Leanca also promised that he and other interlocutors would consult with the Ambassador when forming policy. Leanca Wants Enhanced USG Role on Transnistria -------------- - ¶5. (C) On Transnistria, Leanca said he shared the Ambassador's view that the 5-plus-2 process was the best way to move forward. He noted that the Prime Minister's program had mentioned "doing whatever possible to increase the role of the EU and the U.S. in the negotiating process." Leanca said they had intended to seek participation of the U.S. and EU as full-fledged negotiating partners, rather than just observers. He wondered what it would take to make this change, and at what cost it would come, and whether the Russians would accept the proposal. ¶6. (C) Leanca commented that it would be necessary to further discuss the responsibilities of the newly-appointed Deputy Prime Minister who would handle Transnistria settlement talks, Victor Osipov. Leanca noted that at this point Osipov lacked experience on Transnistria. ¶7. (C) The Ambassador informed Leanca that DAS Dan Russell would be visiting Chisinau for meetings on October 5 en route to the 3-plus-2 in Vienna. Leanca made note, and would be prepared to meet on that date. The two agreed that the best result from the Vienna meeting would be if an agreement would be reached on holding a 5-plus-2, and if so, on what to discuss. They mentioned the possibility of skipping discussion of the previous GoM package, and instead starting with a listing of issues that would need to be addressed. ¶8. (C) Leanca promised that once the dust settled and the new government was fully in place, they would gather experts from the ministries and Parliament to discuss the principles for Transnistria settlement. He likewise promised to discuss these ideas with the Ambassador. After that, the new GoM would be ready to approach the negotiating process and relations with Tiraspol. CHISINAU 00000742 002 OF 002 New GoM Open to Taking More Action on TIP -------------- ¶9. (C) The Ambassador explained to FM Leanca the USG requirement to cut off aid if Moldova were ranked on Tier 3 and the fact that if Moldova were ranked Tier 2 Watchlist again, it would automatically be dropped to Tier 3. Leanca said he understood, and promised the new government in Moldova would work actively in fighting TIP, both to eliminate the problem from the country, and to avoid a bad tier ranking. Comment -------------- ¶10. (C) Though the Embassy enjoyed good working relations with the individuals in the previous government, meeting with the new Foreign Minister was like a breath of fresh air. Leanca's openness and spirit of cooperation was a harbinger of a new era, in which the GoM will be more open and more cooperative. Their desire to enjoy a strategic partnership with the U.S. and their sincere interest in European integration should help facilitate action on issues we raise in the future. From TIP to media reform, we can expect much smoother sailing with the new pro-Western government. This may also be a unique and historic opportunity for the U.S. to engage aggressively and constructively to help put this country on a firm path of democratic and economic reform. CHAUDHRY