The Romanian-Moldovan economic cooperation

The visit that Prime Minister Viorica Dancila paid on Tuesday in Chisinau is seen by analysts as an important step forward in terms of Romanian-Moldovan economic cooperation.

Bogdan Matei, 28.02.2018, 13:58

Established on a part of the eastern Romanian territories annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940 following an ultimatum, the Republic of Moldova partially restored its connection with Romania after 1991 when it proclaimed its independence from Moscow. Hundreds of thousands of Moldovans have received, upon request, the Romanian citizenship. Tens of thousands of pupils and students in the neighboring country have been granted scholarships in Romania. Many artists and people of culture in the two countries say they represent the same spiritual space.

In political terms, Bucharest has been the most fervent supporter of Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and of its aspirations to join the EU. This year, when 100 years since the Great Union of 1918 is celebrated, tens of local councils in Moldova have adopted symbolic declarations of unification with Romania. In economic terms, however, the situation has been stagnating for a long time. A poor country itself after the fall of communism, Romania needed three decades to become a key-player in the neighboring country’s economy.

One of Chisinau’s most important commercial partners at present, Bucharest is also starting to matter as an investor. The Romanian company Transgaz has won the auction for the purchase of the corresponding company in Moldova, the Moldovan Prime Minister Pavel Filip announced on Tuesday. PM Filip said the transaction was a premise for energy independence, as Moldova would no longer depend on Russia as sole supplier.

Pavel Filip: “We are trying to ensure the Republic of Moldova’s energy security. Nobody doubts the fact that when you have only one source of supply, you become vulnerable. Diversifying supply sources always makes you feel safe.”

The one-day visit to Chisinau of Romania’s PM Viorica Dancila was mostly devoted to economic cooperation. The two prime ministers attended the inaugural meeting of the Association of Romanian Investors in the Republic of Moldova, where PM Filip promised a revision of the Labor Code so as to support foreign investors. At the forum of the Siret-Prut-Dnestr Euroregion, the Romanian PM congratulated the organization on developing bilateral cooperation at the level of local organizations, which in her opinion will help the neighboring state join the EU.

PM Dancila also met with the Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament, Adrian Candu, occasion on which she told him: “I am glad that we are in the Europa Hall, because my wish, just like yours, is to support Moldova on its path to the European Union, and I believe this meeting, in this particular hall, tells a lot about our common goal.”

The Romanian PM also called on the Moldovan authorities to put into practice all institutional reforms agreed on with the EU.