Interests of Moldova authorities don’t coincide with the interests of the people

Bashkan of Gagauzia Mikhail Formuzal took part in the international conference “Prospects of the development of regions of Moldova through a cooperation prism within the Customs Union”. He again convincingly proved the advantages of cooperation of Moldova with the Customs union. We publish theses of his performance at conference which took place in the city of Beltsy:

“Interregional cooperation as an effective way of integration with the Customs Union countries: Gagauzia experience”

According to various sociological researches, the entry of Moldova in the Customs Union is supported by from 50 to 60% of inhabitants of the republic. Nevertheless, the ruling elite almost unanimously proclaims the integration into the European union as the only strategic vector. The reasons, as well as possibilities of elimination of this contradiction are a subject for separate discussion. We will concentrate on a question as how the local communities can pursue own foreign policy reflecting the interests of the majority of the population.

Establishment of interregional communications can become perspective strategy of the development of the relations with the countries of the Customs Union. Gagauzia experiment on the development of twinning communications with regions of foreign countries eloquently tells about it. In particular, in recent years the management of the autonomy concluded cooperation agreements with more than ten subjects of the Russian Federation. Similar cooperation with the Mogilyov area of Belarus is adjusted. The relevant agreement with one of areas of Kazakhstan prepares.

The development of such interregional relations happens in three directions: economic, humanitarian and educational and cultural spheres. Result of agreements action is impressive: Gagauzia received more than 100 million lei in this or that form only from the Russian regions. Thanks to cooperation such number of Gagauzian graduates is trained in the Russian higher education institutions on the budgetary basis which is comparable to the numerical quota allocated for all Republic of Moldova within intergovernmental agreements of the Republic of Moldova – the Russian Federation.

The implementation of infrastructure projects is not worked yet, but already discussed sphere of cooperation. In addition, the favourable direction of interregional cooperation is the exchange of experts, mutual presentation of economic and production potential, investment advantages.
As a whole, the result of forming of the similar relations with regions of the countries of the Customs Union for economy and Gagauzia social sphere is more than positive. Moreover, repeatedly, including in personal meeting, the heads of many Moldavian areas were interested in our experience. Thus they expressed desire and readiness to go on our feet. And, though the Moldavian areas have less legal opportunities for development of interregional cooperation, their aspiration eloquently speaks about the high potential of this type of interaction from the point of view of rapprochement of Moldova with the Customs Union.

Thus, it is possible to draw a conclusion that interregional cooperation can become effective way of interaction and rapprochement of Moldova with the countries of the Customs Union. One of the main advantages of this approach is that there is an opportunity at least at the level of regions and with limited powers, but to pursue the foreign policy proceeding from expectations of the majority of the population. At the same time fuller cooperation is possible on condition of creation of the corresponding legal base from the Customs Union. In particular, acceptance within the Customs Union of the special program on interregional cooperation with the all-union states could give system and more saturated character to the development of the relations with regions of Moldova.

Numerous pluses of these relations for local communities make actual sooner or later a question of correction of official foreign policy priorities of the leadership of Moldova and the full entry of the republic in the Customs Union with prospect of introduction of all privileges, rules and advantages of membership in this organization.