Moldovan NGO coalition calls for EU support for democratic elections

The following statement from Moldovan NGOs, drawing on their Roadmap for National Reconciliation and European Integration, launched on 1 May 2009, was disseminated by PASOS Secretariat and PASOS Board of Directors to European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic Jan Kohout, and Foreign Minister of Sweden Carl Bildt:

Statement, 17 June 2009, by Moldovan NGO coalition (see signatories below, and attached, along with the 1 May roadmap, and the PASOS letter to Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner)

The turbulent Moldovan elections have proved the fragility of democracy in the Republic of Moldova and the reversibility of democratic transition. After the years of support the Moldovan Government has received from the European Union, it has resorted to practices and values far removed from those advocated by the EU.

Roadmap for National Reconciliation and European Integration. It is our firm belief that thorough the reconstruction of democratic institutions we can ensure the progress towards functioning democratic institutions ahead of the early elections. Our efforts to bring Moldova, our country and an EU neighbour, out of crisis and on to the path of genuine European integration will not bear fruit without the joint involvement of Moldovan society and EU institutions. Geopolitical factors cannot be a valid argument in a country where the EU has country-wide credibility and where there is a unique opportunity to build a successful “pilot project” for the entire Eastern neighbourhood.

• The EU should consider the appointment of a Roving Ambassador for Electoral Democracy for supporting the conduct of fair and transparent elections, working closely with election-monitoring organisations, such as the OSCE. In the case of Moldova, a high-level engagement is necessary on the part of the Swedish EU Presidency and the European Commission to strengthen the political mandate and technical expertise available to the EC delegation and the office of the EU Special Representative to Moldova, and to make this a core element of the Eastern Partnership agreement between the EU and Moldova.We call upon the EU to send to Moldova a Long-Term European Observation Mission to support the democratic character of the elections.
• We believe that only the full verification and updating of the lists of registered voters by the Central Election Commission, the local authorities and state agencies, under active public and international scrutiny, will convince the citizens of Moldova that the elections will not be rigged by administrative means. A full detailed report must be made available not later than two weeks before the Election Day.
• We call for free access for all important political actors and civil society to the public and mass media during the election campaign as a prerequisite of the conduct of free elections. It is of utmost importance in ensuring the acceptance of these elections, and as a guarantee to rebuild the confidence that Moldova can pursue a democratic model of governance.
• We expect prompt European Commission support to the NGO community to assist election observation and monitoring (Stability Fund), following the principle that there should be less direct budget support, and more targeted support to mass media and democracy-building as an indispensable element in successful democratic elections.

• A full and complete investigation of the violent post-election actions (riots and police mistreatment) by an International Investigation Mission. The so-called investigation conducted currently by the incumbent governing party is not an even-handed one. An appropriate investigation cannot be undertaken by one EU expert in isolation. His presence in the State Commission can only give legitimacy to a body that is already mistrusted by all democratic actors, political or non-political. The urgency of the situation is so high that its remedy is a precondition for trust in the electoral process and for acceptance that the conduct of the forthcoming elections will be fair.
• The conclusion as soon as possible, as a point of principle, of a signed Agreement on the establishment of a long-term EU Rule-of-Law Mission to Moldova to assist in the reform of the main agencies and public authorities that failed to exercise their duties (police, prosecution, special services).

The global crisis is already affecting the economic standing of the Republic of Moldova. The roots of vulnerability to the global crisis rest, however, less in the turbulent post-election politics and more in the previous ‘growth without development’ economic policy of the ruling elites, which attempted to neglect the alarming trends for the sake of electoral gains. Without a freely and fairly elected new Government, the country will face another period of instability. It is our firm belief that our focused, comprehensive and joint approach to these burning issues will be successful in bringing the country closer to the end of this crisis. There is no alternative to working with the EU’s support for the reconstruction of Moldova's democratic institutions.
Sincerely Yours,
1. Vlad Lupan, Freelance Political Commentator, Former Diplomat
2. Igor Munteanu, Director, Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul"
3. Sergiu Ostaf, Director, CREDO Center
4. Nadine Gogu, Interim Director, Center for Independent Journalism
5. Petru Macovei, Director, Association of Free Press
6. Cornelia Cozonac, Director, Center for Journalistic Investigations
7. Ion Manole, Director, Promo-Lex Association
8. Mihai Roşcovan, Director, Business Consulting Institute (BCI)
9. Vasile Spinei, President, Access-Info Association
10. Vlad Spanu, Director of Moldova Foundation, USA
11. Eugen Carpov, International Manager, ex-diplomat
12. Valeriu Prohnitchi, Director, Expert Grup
13. Dumitru Minzarari, Freelance Journalist, Political analyst
14. Angela Soltan, Director, AQA Logistic – Consulting
15. Cornel Ciurea, University Professor, European Movement Association
16. Petru Macovei, Executive Director, Independent Press Association (API)
17. Oazu Nantoi, Program Director, Institute for Public Policy
18. Octavian Ţâcu, Chair of the International Relations Department, International Free University of Moldova
19. Ştefan Gorda, member, Council of Directors, Foreign Policy Association of Moldova (APE)
20. Veaceslav Ionita, Program Director, Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul"
21. Nicolae Negru, Journalist, Independent Journalism Center (IJC)
22. Vanu Jereghi, Director, Moldovan Institute of Human Rights
23. Lilia Caraşciuc, Director, Transparency International - Moldova
24. Victoria Tataru, Executive Director, Information, Instruction and Social Analysis Centre "CAPTES"
25. Valeriu Saharneanu, President, Union of Journalists in Moldova
26. Gheorghe Ierizanu, Director, CARTIER
27. Ludmila Popovici, Executive Director, Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims “Memoria”
28. Tatiana Busuncian, Director, Pro Marshall Centre from Republica Moldova
29. Corneliu Cirimpei, President, Youth Development Centre
30. Igor Botan, Director, Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT