Romania – Ukraine – Moldova Cooperation
In a delicate regional context, where Russia continues to make problems, Romania, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova join political forces.
România Internațional, 03.10.2014, 13:01
Since the early 1990s, although part of the same region, Romania, coming after more than 4 decades of puppet government imposed by Moscow, Ukraine and the mostly Romanian-speaking Republic of Moldova, have seen different ambitions, circumstances and outcomes. Romania did not take the shortest road to the West, but it still managed to become a NATO member in 2004 and an EU member state in 2007. The Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, on the other hand, have been swinging between European accession efforts and the direction imposed on them by Russia, which used these countries’ economic and energy dependence to reinforce its influence on them.
Still, as a proof of solidarity beyond diplomacy, particularly after Russia’s annexation of Crimea and Moscow’s extensive involvement in fueling the secessionist sentiment in eastern Ukraine, Bucharest, Kiev and Chisinau reaffirm their willingness to cooperate. Kiev hosted a trilateral meeting of the prime ministers of Romania, Ukraine and Moldova.
The Romanian PM Victor Ponta told his Ukrainian and Moldovan counterparts, Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Iurie Leanca respectively, that Romania is a firm supporter of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two ex-Soviet countries. Moreover, Victor Ponta reassured his counterparts that Romania wants the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, which have recently signed the association and free trade agreements with the EU, to become part of the European community as soon as possible. However, the Romanian official added, words need to be accompanied by pragmatic action:
Victor Ponta: “Judging from Romania’s experience, both Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova need more than just political declarations of solidarity. They need concrete actions, and assistance in the reforms they are currently carrying out. And I believe it is the obligation of Romania and of the other EU member states to be a lot more active, a lot more pragmatic in all their projects aimed at supporting Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.”
Meanwhile, Ponta and Yatsenyuk signed an agreement on the small-scale cross-border trade between the two countries, thanks to which some two million people living in the border area will be able to cross into the other country using only a free pass permit. The agreement is viewed, among others, as a means to improve the situation of the Romanian community in Ukraine, counting over 400 thousand people, whose rights are respected less consistently than Romania would like.
