by
Martin Banks*
It comes in the wake of a recent report by ‘La Strada International’, an international female human rights organisation, which highlighted the fact that Moldovan legislation on human trafficking, child labour and forced labour ‘does not meet international criteria and is far from the EU and the US requirements’.
The NGO reports a ‘failure and inefficiency of law enforcement authorities’ which, it claims, often collude with the human trafficking networks. EU enlargement commissioner Stefan Fule also recently entered the fray, calling on Moldova do to more to promote several reforms. Speaking after a meeting earlier this month (jun) with the country's Prime Minister, Iurie Leanca, Fule urged Moldova to adopt a robust system of checks and balances.
In his question to the commission, Kacin, a former member of the European Parliament´s delegation for relations with Moldova, asks, "Would the commission clarify what actions are being taken to put a stop to human trafficking in Moldova and to bring Moldovan laws and the penalties imposed by the Moldovan judiciary into line with EU standards?" The commission is yet to reply to Kacin but, in an interview the ALDE member outlined his current concerns about Moldova and neighbouring countries.
Moldova, along with Georgia and Armenia, received up to 1.9bn euro as ´assistance allocations´ in 2010-13.The biggest beneficiary of funds in the EU´s Eastern neighbourhood is Ukraine with Moldova next, receiving some 482m euro.
The EU and Moldova are currently negotiating an association agreement which will significantly deepen Moldova´s political association and economic agreement with the EU.
Some experts have expressed fears, though, that after further liberalisation of visa regimes between the EU and Moldova there will be a risk of illegal labour migrants moving from Moldova to the EU, as well as a possible influx of criminal elements, prostitutes and drug and human traffickers.
On this, Kacin, who is in charge of the Serbia report and Southeast Europe accession process for Parliament,, said,"I personally welcome the easing of visa restrictions for the Moldovan citizens. As the vice-chair of the delegation to South-East Europe, I have come to a conclusion that positive side of visa-free regime far outweighs the negative one. People-to-people contacts and the very fact that a citizen of a European country doesn't feel imprisoned in his or her own country are very important for the long-term stability and economic development of enlargement and neighbourhood countries."
He adds, "For these reasons I am firmly in favour of visa liberalisations with these countries as long as the respective authorities do their utmost to entrench the rule of law. The negative side of visa liberalisation that you mentioned should be dealt with vigorously, both by the Moldovan authorities and the EU agencies. Human trafficking is a European issue, not just Moldovan."
A recent OSCE report also stressed the urgent need for Moldova to enhance prevention of child trafficking through child protection measures and to pursue its efforts in the deinstitutionalisation of people with special needs.
Moldova has one of the highest rates of children living in institutionalised care in central Europe and critics say these children often lack necessary life skills and are totally dependent on adult assistance. With a low level of education combined with a lack of proper insight from adults, such children easily become victims of trafficking crimes, it has been claimed.
Kacin said, "There is a vicious circle between poverty, lack of education and organized crime. Moldova spent far above the OECD average on education - 9.1% in 2010 - but there is much more to be done. I am certain that the EU could help facilitate a reform of the education system in the country by providing assistance and funds which would particularly target children who live in institutionalized care."
The EU is developing an increasingly close relationship with Moldova, going beyond co-operation, to gradual economic integration and a deepening of political co-operation.
Kacin says that despite some reservations,this is the right policy, adding, "Enlargement has remained our by far successful policy. It brought stability, democracy, and economic development to a half of our continent.
"I strongly support all efforts aimed at engaging more closely with our neighbours, not just because it benefits them economically, but also because it is in our own best interest. That said, this process is meaningful only if political leaders in the accession and aspirant countries do carry out reforms which aim at strengthening the rule of law and independence of state institutions."
He added,"In this context, I welcome and support the ongoing intensifying of relations with Moldova, but keeping in mind that the choice of European integration lies with the Moldovan people. I do believe that the EU should do its utmost to support those countries that have declared themselves willing and able to undergo a difficult process of reform in order to aspire to the stringent requirements of the EU."
"This path is arduous and difficult, and it would be counterproductive to forget the public opinion along the way. Moldova has been continuously embroiled in political fights within the governing coalition. It is a public secret that if elections were to take place tomorrow, the path to European integration would be adjusted if not halted by the likeliest winners of the poll. This is not sustainable."
Kacin went on,"'Achievements of the government should become part of Moldova's European story. If instead of the European story, Moldovan citizens will view internal infighting, dysfunctional state institutions, the efforts will be both futile and reversible."
*Martin Banks is a Brussels based freelance EU-correspondent
By: N. Peter Kramer
