International Conference “Cooperation in a changing environment: the future of Moldova-NATO Partnership”
On June 3rd, the Information and Documentation Centre on NATO in Moldova organized the conference “Cooperation in a changing environment: the future of Moldova-NATO Partnership”. The conference was attended by members of the Partnership & Cooperative Security Committee of the North Atlantic Alliance. The committee, whose representatives visited Chisinau between 1st and 3rd of June, overviews and provides guidance on the Alliance’s cooperation with partner countries. Mr. James Appathurai, Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy of NATO, delivered a keynote speech. The conference was also attended by representatives of Moldovan civil society, ambassadors accredited in Chisinau, representatives of governmental institutions, and media. The event that brought together more than 130 participants provided a good platform for dialogue between the delegates of the PCSC and the representatives of the Moldovan civil society.
The panelists at the plenary session on “NATO-Moldova: The way forward”, were Mr. James Appathurai, Mr. Viorel Cibotaru, Minister of Defence of Moldova, H.E. Mr. Arthur Michalski, Ambassador of Poland in the Republic of Moldova and Elena Marzac, Director, IDC on NATO. The discussion focused on issues of high interest on Moldova’s relationship with NATO as well as on questions related to recent developments in the region. Mr. Appathurai underlined that NATO respects the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the Republic of Moldova and wishes to support the country to defend its values. He added that the Defense Capacity Building initiative will provide assistance towards developing a national security strategy, strengthening the military and law enforcement structures, improving the military equipment, increasing the visibility and engaging experts, so that the country can respond to challenges that might arise.” During the discussions local participants raised the issue of propaganda and the use of the media as a tool of hybrid war. In this context, Mr. Appathurai said that “the Russian Federation has weaponized information, investing enormous resources in TV and radio stations retransmitting Russian content abroad. It does it in an intelligent and targeted manner, creating confusion and uncertainty. We do not want to fight propaganda with propaganda. We must spread the truth. Our goal is to strengthen partner countries’ capacities, so that they are able to cope with this situaton.”
In the margins of the conference, Mr. Appathurai held a press conference on the key aspects of Moldova’s partnership with NATO and on NATO’s assistance to Moldova in the context of the new challenges to the regional security. (any link to interviews?)
The three panel discussions that followed took place under Chatham House rules. The first panel discussed the topic of the future of cooperation between NATO and Moldova. In the discussions participated PCSC representatives as well as Mr. Petrisor Peiu, Black Sea University Foundation, and Mr. Victor Juc, Institute for Political and Legal Studies of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova. They discussed the threats and vulnerabilities Moldova faced, and the way in which the country could overcome these problems by building a stronger relationship with NATO. The debate focused on issues, such as the grave situation of the banking system, Moldova’s economic difficulties and the serious deficiencies related to the judiciary system and the control exercised by political power. Lack of information on NATO and its mission and goals were also discussed. The speakers’ conclusion was that some of the most serious threats to Moldova’s security are internal, such as the corruption and inefficiency of the judiciary, and that the future of the European integration and the Euro-Atlantic cooperation of the Republic of Moldova depends primarily on solving these problems.
The issue of NATO’s partnerships and the concept of neutrality were discussed at the second panel The speakers on this panel were H.E. Mrs Ingrid Tersman, Ambassador of Sweden, Mr. Vasile Croitoru, expert of the Defence and Security Strategic Studies Center, Mr. Valeriu Mija, expert, Pro Marshall Center of Moldova, and representatives of the PCSC. The speakers referred to the experience of the neutral European states in developing sustainable relations with NATO as well as to the benefits that the neutral countries enjoy as NATO’s partners. Other topics brought into discussion were that of interoperability and security through cooperation. One of the main assumptions was that Moldova’s neutrality was imposed by the Russian Federation to maintain the country in the Kremlin’s sphere of influence. The relevance of Moldova’s neutrality status was also discussed, especially, in the light of the continuing occupation of a part of Moldova’s territory by the Russian Federation. The validity of the concept of neutrality in Moldova’s case was also discussed in the context of the war in Ukraine. In conclusion, the speakers have expressed their conviction that Moldova’s neutrality is not comparable to the cases of other neutral countries in Europe, especially, countries that do not face the same threats and also have a long tradition of neutrality. The neutrality of Moldova is rather a formality (?) and cannot provide a security guarantee in the current regional and broader geopolitical context.
The third panel of the conference was dedicated to the implementation of the UN resolution on Women, Peace and Security (1325). The speakers of the panel were Mrs. Vasilachi Ana, Deputy Minister of Defense, Mrs. Ulziisuren Jamsran, national representative, UN Women, Mrs. Maria Gratschew, Programme Manager, OSCE and Mrs. Natalia Albu, Associate professor, Military Academy “Alexandru cel Bun”. The panel discussed issues related to the promotion of the UN resolution on women’s role in the security and defense sectors, the urgent need to implement these resolutions, the experience of other countries in this regard, what are the practices that should be adopted and how can these practices be adapted to the needs and realities of Moldova.
Finally, a round table was held in the afternoon of the same day at the IDC on NATO headquarters, on the topic of civil society’s cooperation with the authorities in the security and defense sector. The speakers participating at this event were Mrs. Despina Afentouli, Program Officer for Moldova, NATO Public Diplomacy Division, Mrs. Alla Rosca, Professor, Moldova State University, Mrs. Angela Gamada, Association “Expert for Security and Global Affairs”, Bucharest, and Mr. Iurie Pîntea, Public Policy Institute expert. The speakers discussed the role of civil society in raising awareness on defense and security issues. They have debated the lack of initiatives on this sector coming from the civil society, but also the lack of responsiveness on behalf of the authorities. The importance of monitoring that civil society and non-governmental organizations can exercise on the defense and security sector was also discussed. On this occasion, the speakers presented sociological studies on the attitude of NGOs from Moldova (including the eastern districts of the country), Ukraine and the Russian Federation, towards security related issues.
Upon conclusion of the event, an award ceremony was held during which the IDC’s on NATO exceptional partners received awards for their active cooperation with the IDC and their contribution in promoting the Euro-Atlantic values and principles. Among those who received awards were H.E. Mr Marius Gabriel Lazurcă, Ambassador of Romania, H.S. Mr. Robert Kirnag, Ambassador of Slovakia, Mr. Veaceslav Iatco, Head of the NATO section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Vasile Croitoru, expert of the Defence and Security Strategic Studies Center, Mr Anatol Caciuc, National Radio, Ms Mariana Grama, Ministry of Defense, and Mrs. Natalia Albu, Associate professor at the Military Academy “Alexandru cel Bun”.
The International Conference “Cooperation in a changing enironment: the future of Moldova-NATO Partnership” was held under this year’s edition of the “NATO Week in Moldova” project that the IDC on NATO team is implementing in May-June 2015. For further information on the projects implemented by the IDC on NATO please contact us by phone at +22/577824, on by e-mail at [email protected].