Market development POLICIES & STRATEGIES 51
“Eastern Partnership” policy, a stimulus for Moldova’s development [ by Pamela Luică ]
Cooperation between the EU and the partner countries in Eastern Europe is vital for consolidating and setting the projects and priorities of both parties as regards economic growth, optimisation of relationships, development and integration of communication paths.
A
ccording to country reports and regional reports (published in March 2013) on the progress of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) of 2012, cooperation between the two parties has become tighter and now triggers positive results. In the trade segment, the two parties are constantly developing their activity and EU continues negotiations for signing association agreements with the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia. As part of the agreements, the countries will include deep and comprehensive free trade zones and these agreements should be advanced and even finalized by autumn 2013. One of the sectors with problems that the parties are facing is the transport sector. Reforms in this sector cover all transport modes, but projects are far from being achieved. Most of the countries are gradually aligning to EU standards as they are vital for the integration of the partner countries in the EU transport system. To encourage the development of this sector, including energy, at the end of March, the European Commission decided to grant EUR 200 Million (as part of the Neighbourhood Investment Facility-NIF). With these funds and with loans from the
EU’s development banks, more competi- ciation Agreement and the Deep and Comtive financing structures could be set for the prehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) has major projects of the neighbouring coun- significantly progressed. “Moldova has tries in the east and south. made important progress in nearly all the The projects for which these funds will be sectors established in the Action Plan”, said allocated will ensure the interconnection the EC. Important decisions regarding the of infrastructure between the EU and the implementation of legislations and reguneighbouring countries. “Since the launch lations of the EU standards have (CFM) in 2008, the Neighbourhood Investment Fa- was changed to separate the infrastructure cility has proved to be a vital element in the manager from operation and it is necessary cooperation with neighbouring countries. to open the market and to set the instituIt helps our partners to improve the sectors tional structure for regulation. Also, a subthey most need, such as energy, transport, stantial increase in the freight traffic was environment or the social sector”, declared recorded in 2012, and traffic through TranŠtefanFüle, EU Commissioner for Enlarge- snistria was resumed in spring 2012, but ment and Neighbourhood Policy. was limited because of various hindrances”, As part of the EU Association Agreement, the document shows. Moldova is in full process of implementing The fact that EU is interested in the develmajor reforms aimed at increasing eco- opment process of the Republic of Moldonomic competitiveness. For 2010-2013, va, not only by granting assistance, but also the European Union granted Moldova by allocating investments, stimulates ecofinancial assistance of EUR 550 Million, nomic sectors, especially the transport secMoldova being EU’s neighbour which ben- tor for which infrastructure development efited most from assistance per capita. investments are envisaged. That is why on According to the report Implementa- 6-7 June, Chisinau will host the Moldovan tion of Progress with the Neighbour- Railway Summit, organised by CFM and hood Policy in the Republic of Moldova Club Feroviar, an event which will bring in 2012 (published in March 2013), the forth the need for investments in railway inNIP 2011-2013 — Republic of Moldova EU-Moldova political dialogue has been frastructure and in the rolling stock fleet. consolidated and negotiations on the Asso-
Priority area Allocation Priority area 1: Good governance, rule of law and fundamental freedoms 35-40 % Priority area 2: Social and human development 25-30 % Priority area 3: Trade and sustainable development 35-40 % Total 100 % Including 15 % overall allocation for conflict resolution / confidence-building measures 15 %
Политика «Восточного партнерства» - толчок к развитию Молдовы
Сотрудничество государств ЕС с государствами-партнерами из Восточной Европы крайне важно для укрепления и развития проектов и приоритетов обеих сторон, направленных на экономический рост, оптимизацию отношений, развитие и интеграцию путей сообщений. Согласно отчетам по странам и Source: European Commission региональным отчетам(опубликованным beenpercentage allocated of to 15 Moldova forwhole its 2011-13 National In- to в марте 2013 года) о продвижении As €273.14 indicatedmillion above, has a target % for the NIP will be allocated европейской политики соседства dicative resolution/confidence-building Programme (NIP). conflict measures (CBMs). However, rather than (ЕПС) в 2012 году сотрудничество двух This is an average of €91.05 million per annum, a substantial increase on the identifying CBMs as a priority in themselves, it is proposed that these are treated under сторон стало более тесным и достигло €66other million allocated Moldova way: in 2010. In addition, € 6.98 million have been the priorities in thetofollowing положительных результатов. reserved for Cohesion Policy. x
Funds will be allocated to actions under sectoral or capacity-building priorities specifically for the inclusion of the region of Transnistria in these actions, the Tiraspol de-facto authorities being included in discussions from the early stages of
May 2013 | www.railwaypro.com