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Delegation Reports
PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION FROM
MOLDOVA :
27 JANUARY TO 1 FEBRUARY 2008
Visit of a Parliamentary Delegation from the Republic of Moldova
Sunday, 27 January to Friday 1 February 2008
The Delegation
Dr Marian Lupu - Leader of Delegation (Monday Only)
Speaker, Parliament of the Republic of Moldova
Communist Party of Moldova
Mrs Valentina Buliga (Deputy Leader of the Delegation)
Chair, Social Protection, Health and Family Committee
Democratic Party
Mr Vladimir Ciobanu
Chair, Public Administration, Environment and Territorial
Development Committee
Independent
Mr Stefan Secareanu
Chair, Human Rights Committee
Christian Democratic People’s Party
Mr Ion Plesca
Deputy Chair, Legal Issues, Appointments and Immunities Committee
Alliance Our Moldova
Mrs Mariana Zolotco
Adviser to Speaker
Mr Iurie Richicinschi (Monday only)
Assistant to Speaker
The delegation arrived on Sunday, 27 January and was met on arrival by
Her Excellency Mrs Mariana Durlesteanu, Ambassador of the Republic of
Moldova, and Mrs Penelope Vagg, Deputy Secretary, British Group IPU. The
official programme began on Monday with a tour of parliament led by Lord
Dykes, Treasurer of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Moldova. The
delegation then had a briefing on parliamentary procedures by Liam Laurence
Smyth, Clerk of the Overseas Office, House of Commons. The discussion
also covered party funding, House of Lords reform and the facilities and
allowances available to MPs.
Speaker Lupu arrived in Parliament mid-morning, following a number of
private meetings. The whole delegation met with officers from the All
Party Parliamentary Group on Moldova and the All Party Parliamentary Group
on EU Enlargement. During this meeting, the delegation highlighted their
desire for the British Council to be more active in Moldova. Following
the adoption of a new broadcasting code in Moldova, delegates also called
for closer co-operation between the BBC and broadcasting companies in
Moldova.
The Rt Hon Michael Martin MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, hosted
a welcoming reception in Speaker’s House.This was also attended
by other UK parliamentarians including Deputy Speakers, Sir Alan Haselhurst
MP and Sylvia Heal MP. The latter visited Moldova in July 2007 on an official
trip.
This was followed by lunch with members of the European Scrutiny Committee
(House of Commons) and the EU Select Committee (House of Lords) which
was hosted by Lord Grenfell. Speaker Lupu spoke of the need to renew the
EU-Moldova Partnership and Co-operation Agreement which is due to expire
in July this year. Moldova is aware that the EU needs time to adjust following
the recent expansion. However it hopes that a new EU-Moldova Action Plan
would provide a road map to help them work towards their long term goal
of EU accession.
After lunch, the delegates met Mike Gapes MP, Chair of the Foreign Affairs
Select Committee. Delegates expressed their desire to find a peaceful
solution to the conflict in Transnistria and were keen for the 5 +2 talks
to resume as soon as possible. They suggested that the EU might take on
a more active role in this process.
The delegation then split into two groups with Speaker Lupu and his advisors
meeting Anthony Smith, Director of European Political Affairs at the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office. Speaker Lupu requested that the UK support an
early start to negotiations to renew the EU-Moldova Partnership and Co-operation
Agreement. The discussion also covered other issues, including the upcoming
parliamentary elections in Moldova, changing public perceptions on Moldovan
EU membership and public opinion on NATO membership.
The rest of the delegation met Jim Maund, DfID team leader for Central
Asia, South Caucasus and Moldova. The Department for International Development
are currently reviewing their work in Moldova for the next two to three
years. Mr Maund explained that they are looking to complement work carried
out by the EU by undertaking projects in areas such as social assistance
and supporting the implementation of a national development strategy.
Later that afternoon, Speaker Lupu departed for Paris for another official
visit, whilst the rest of the delegation remained in London and enjoyed
a trip on the London Eye. In the evening, Dr Roger Berry MP, Chair of
the British Group IPU, hosted dinner in the Club Room, 1 Parliament Street.
Tuesday began with the parliamentary discussions meeting hosted by the
Rt Hon Bruce George MP, Vice-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group
on Moldova. The topics covered included the trafficking of women and children,
the protection of the environment and wildlife of the Nistru River region,
the Moldovan wine industry and the impact of the recent Russian ban on
wine imports from Moldova.The discussions also touched on the possible
impact an independent Kosovo might have on the situation in Transnistria.
After this lively session, the delegation visited the offices of the Westminster
Foundation for Democracy (WFD). Here, Alex Romaniuc, Head of Europe Programmes,
outlined the work WFD undertakes in parliamentary strengthening. He suggested
that WFD could consider co-ordinating projects in Moldova, once the parliamentary
elections in Moldova have taken place in spring 2009.
The Rt Hon Bruce George MP kindly stepped in at the last minute to host
lunch at Lancaster House which was attended by other British MPs and Peers.
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, FCO Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, was
due to host this lunch however she was unable to attend due to her promotion
to Government Whip.
In the afternoon, David Kemp, Media Consultant to the British Group IPU
and former Chairman of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, briefed the delegation
on the media in the UK and on the role of lobby journalists. Delegates
were also interested to learn of the relationship between the media, political
parties and the government.
In the evening, Her Excellency Mrs Mariana Durlesteanu, Ambassador of
the Republic of Moldova, hosted a reception in the IPU Room, House of
Commons.
On Wednesday, the delegation had a tour of Westminster Abbey led by the
Verger, James Prior. Following this, the delegation met Tim Jeffes, Director
of the Broadcasting Unit of the Houses of Parliament. The delegation was
particularly interested to learn about the rules of coverage and the rules
of usage relating to television broadcasting of proceedings in both Chambers
of Parliament. Delegates explained that television broadcasting is an
ongoing topic of discussion within the Moldovan parliament.
After this, the delegation observed a lively session of Prime Minister’s
Question Time from the Speaker’s Gallery. Delegates then went to
lunch in the Attlee Room, House of Lords, which was hosted by Lord Dubs,
Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Moldova. Once again, Moldova-EU
relations and the conflict in Transnistria were discussed at length.
The final meeting in Westminster was with members of the UK delegation
to the Council of Europe (CoE) which was chaired by Lord Tomlinson. The
delegation explained that they have approached the CoE Secretary General
to request assistance in harmonising regional and national laws in Moldova
with EU law. Delegates were also aware that further reform was needed
in addressing human rights issues following a CoE report which highlighted
problems in this area. As time was short, the UK delegation offered to
meet the Moldovan delegation in the margins of the next Council of Europe
meeting to follow up the discussion.
That afternoon, the delegation flew to Belfast. In the evening, delegates
dined with Dr David Phinnemore, lecturer in European integration at Queen’s
University, and Dr Cathy Gormley-Heenan, lecturer in public policy and
researcher in conflict resolution at the University of Ulster. An interesting
discussion took place on the future of the European Union and on confidence
building measures that can be used during conflict resolution.
Thursday began with a briefing by Mary Madden, Deputy Director, Political
Directorate of the Northern Ireland Office, on the political developments
leading up to the Northern Ireland peace process. Linda McCausland, Office
of the First and Deputy First Minister provided an overview of the powers
of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Delegates found both these sessions
useful and commented that they may be able to take on aspects of our devolved
system.
The final briefing of the morning was with Raymond McCaffrey and Cahir
Hughes who provided a detailed explanation of the work of the Northern
Ireland Electoral Commission.
Lunch was hosted by The Speaker, William Hay MLA, which was also attended
by a cross party selection of members of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited the temporary offices of Belfast
City Council. Here, they were greeted by the Lord Mayor, Jim Rodgers OBE,
and other local councillors. The delegation was briefed on the powers
of the local government and on the relationship between the local council,
central government and the Northern Ireland Assembly. Delegates were also
given an overview of economic developments in Belfast and were particularly
interested to learn more about the successful tourism strategy currently
being developed for Belfast.
There was just time before the last meeting to drive through North Belfast
to see at first hand some of the peace walls and interface areas. The
programme concluded with a visit to Antrim Road police station where Chief
Superintendent, Gary White, briefed delegates on his experience of policing
a divided society, particularly during sensitive periods such as the parades
during marching season. Different styles of policing, police recruitment
from Catholic and Protestant communities, and dealing with domestic violence
were also discussed.
The delegation flew back to Heathrow late on Thursday evening and returned
to Chisinau on Friday morning.
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