Note 9 – September 2005 

XV Economic Forum
(Poland, Krynica, September 7-10 2005)

For the first time Moldova was given the floor at the Economic Forum of the Central and Eastern European countries. The main range of discussion (82 panels!) covered both political (enlargement of the European Union and the neighborhood policy; the new EU 2007-2012 perspective; elections and legality of authority in Europe, Russia and Central Asia, etc.) and economic topics (the state and private sector, state-private partnership; Eastern European economic migration to the EU countries; impact of foreign investments on economic development of Central and Eastern European countries; models of the taxation reformation; new financial instruments of external policy of EU, etc.). 

By tradition, as before, the Forum paid major attention, among CIS countries, to Russia and Ukraine (which EU and Poland consider just “more than a neighbor”). Belarus and Central Asia were discussed as well: “Belarus – Which Direction?” and “Modernization and Development of the New Central Asian Countries”. There was nothing said about the Caucasian region. As regards Moldova, the following topics were chosen:

• Moldova 2005: Challenges for Development of Sustainable, Secure and Competitive Economy;
• Settlement of the Transnistrian Problem, the Role of the European Union?

For the first panel, the organizers oriented the discussion as follows: “Beginning with 2000, later than other CIS countries, economic recovery resumed in Moldova. Over the last five years, its GDP grew by ⅓. However, many questions remain, as to quality, rate and stability of the growth. It is mainly based on agro-industrial sector, remittances and consumption. Employment continues decreasing. Migration (cca 500 thou) is widespread. Remittances reached USD 1 billion, or about 30% of GDP. The country is divided: there is a concurrent Transnistrian economy. At the same time, the country has set course at European integration through implementation of EU – Moldova Action Plan.”

• What is the influence of the European neighborhood policy upon Moldova?
• How can an image of Moldova as an investor-friendly economy be created? What industries can be the most competitive?
• What is the impact of remittances upon the Moldovan economy?
• What factors are important for improvement of business environment?
• What are the risks and regional dimensions of Transnistrian economy?
• What is the role of Russia and Ukraine? What opportunities arise from the V. Yuschenko plan for Transnistria?

Panelists: Lazari Valeriu, Minister of Economy and Trade, Moldova
Pop Mihail, Vice Minister of Finance, Moldova
Gorelova Elena, Resource Center, Moldova
Muravschi Alexandr, former Minister of Economy, Moldova
Joao Guimaraes, Institute of Social Policy, Netherlands

Moderator: Gudim Anatol, Center for Strategic Studies and Reforms  

Organizers of the Forum oriented the second panel – on the role of the European Union in settling the Transnistrian conflict –in the following way: “Security, apart from prosperity and stability, is one of the principal aims of the European Neighborhood Policy of the EU. Given the development of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, it is worth considering what role could the EU play in solving the problem of Transnistria – possible instruments and their effectiveness, as well as the influence that the EU actions might have on relations with Moldova, Russia and Ukraine.” 

Panelists: Adriaan Jakobovits de Szeged, Special Representative for Moldova, European Union
Dov Lynch, Research Fellow, EU Institute for Security Studies, France
Igor Munteanu, Executive Director, IDIS Viitorul, Moldova
Edyta Posel-Czescik, Programme Coordinator in the Analyses Office, Polish Institute of International Affairs
Davide Zaffi, Department for Foreign Relations, Autonomous Region Trentino – South Tyrol, Italy

Moderator: Slawomir Debski, Head of Analyses Office, Polish Institute of International Affairs

The Moldovan delegation to the Economic Forum in Krynica 

Government

1. Stati Sergiu, Parliament, Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Foreign Affairs and European Integration
2. Lazari Valeriu, Minister of Economy and Trade
3. Pop Mihail, Vice Minister of Finance
4. Poalelungi Olga, General Director of the Department of Migration
5. Formuzal Mihail, Mayor of Ciadir-Lunga, Gagauzia

Business Community

6. Ili Vasile, entrepreneur
7. Maciuca Mihail, entrepreneur, wine complex “Milestii Mici”
8. Manicovschi Mihail, entrepreneur, SRL “Muncesti”
9. Marangoz Gheorghe, entrepreneur, Small Business Association (Gagauzia)
10. Musuc Ion, entrepreneur, Telecom Holding

Non-Governmental Organizations, Experts

11. Busuncian Tatiana, political scientist, Pro Marshall Center
12. Gheorghiu Valeriu, political scientist, Institute of Public Policy
13. Gorelova Elena, economist, Resource Center
14. Gudim Anatol, economist, CISR
15. Kushakov Mikhail, jurist, Transnistrian State University
16. Munteanu Igor, political scientist, Viitorul Foundation
17. Muravschi Alexandr, economist, CISR
18. Nantoi Oazu, political scientist, Institute of Public Policy
19. Selari Galina, economist, CISR
20. Zabolotnaia Lilia, historian, Academy of Sciences of Moldova

Mass Media

21. Astahova Irina, Editor-in-chief of the Weekly “Kishinev Reviewer”
22. Barbu Liudmila, TV-1 Moldova, “European Vector” project, Editor
23. Nica Eudochia, TV-1 Moldova, camerawoman
24. Bugai Igor, expert, Polish Embassy in Moldova

XV Economic Forum was organized by Fundacja Instytut Studiow Wschodnich (Warszawa).

CISR Report: Moldova 2005: Challenges for Development of the Stable, Secure and Competitive Economy