Interview given by the president of the Republic of Moldova, Nicolae Timofti, to the press agency AGERPRES, Romania

AGERPRES: Mr. Nicolae Timofti, one year since you were elected as President of the Republic of Moldova will expire on Saturday. Which were Moldova’s and yours main achievements during this year?

Nicolae Timofti: Moldova has advanced with small, but decisive steps towards its European destiny, if not taking into account the political crisis we are stuck in for several weeks. I do hope to overcome the crisis safely, getting strengthened, not weakened. We do not give up believing in our chance to modernize our institutions and society at large, even if we suffer sometimes syncopes on the way. Or at least we do not have the rhythmicity we wanted.

With regard to what you have named as being my achievements: for me it is less important who from the political leaders in Chisinau has contributions to the advancement of the country. I do not approach it that way. I am happy for every success that we manage to reach together externally and internally. And I never forget that behind the achievements of the country lies hard daily work of all our citizens.

AGERPRES: What do you think you have failed to achieve during your first year in office?

Nicolae Timofti: The shortcomings belong to us equally. My attention is focused primarily on the institutions to undergo reformation. I have my dissatisfaction regarding how some politicians and officials at various levels understand the state institutions have to be transformed. To answer your question directly: I blame myself for too much indulgence to the leaders of institutions delaying the implementation of policies which they have accepted in the first instance. We found that in some areas the inertia is stronger than the desire for change. Some of them have not understood that they should act according to the will of the people, not according to their own interests.

AGERPRES: European integration of the Republic of Moldova was one of the main goals you stated at your investiture as President. Is it still available today?

Nicolae Timofti: I would ask you to note that our official rhetoric remained the same, and it cannot be otherwise, regardless of political disputes we had lately. We are talking about a mandate that citizens have granted to the current government to lead the country to Europe.

It’s a strong option for our citizens and we took it seriously. Yes, it is true that during the last year some political forces tried to bring the issue of shifting towards East. There were collected a number of signatures, however insufficient to reach a referendum on this issue. I did not hide the fact that I am a convinced supporter of European integration and all my actions as a President derive from this vision, shared by the overwhelming majority of citizens.

AGERPRES: Mr. President, your election as a president on 16 March 2012 put an end to a political crisis which affected the Republic of Moldova for almost three years. However, after less than one year of calm, the country is hit by a new political crisis, this time even within the Alliance for European Integration, now broken, which proposed your candidature for President. Why is this happening?

Nicolae Timofti: I do not develop the parties’ agenda and I won’t intervene in order to suggest them how to act. However, I am entitled to ask for their accountability in everything they do, because the whole society and many of our international partners are aware of what is happening in Moldova, both at political and public levels.

I do not regret that this situation has been reached and that the former coalition leaders did not listen to my calls to conciliation and consensus, in the name of the European project, that is going to take shape this year at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius.

Privately, I also advised them to withhold their declarations, but they preferred to fight further. However, I do hope that after weighing things for a while, they will come back to better feelings and to constructivism, we all need.

AGERPRES: Who do you think is responsible for the dissolution of the governing Alliance and potential new early elections?

Nicolae Timofti: It is not the case to seek for scapegoats. All of us will be guilty if it comes to early elections. In this case, we might consider that 2013 will be a lost year for reforms. I know the differences separating the former Alliance leaders and I can say that there is room for an understanding for the benefit of the country. We must overcome our personal pride and build institutional relationships that would not depend on some temporary angers.

AGERPRES: Last week the government was dismissed and you were put in a position to propose a new head for the Cabinet, after consulting all the factions. What are the criteria on which you will base your decision when you will propose a prime minister?

Nicolae Timofti: I will hold consultations with the parliamentary group in the next period. Then, I will appoint a prime minister. The only criterion on which I can communicate at this moment to you is that I will appoint a pro-European prime minister.

AGERPRES: Since the Communist opposition announced early elections and the three parties of the former Alliance cannot reach a consensus, how big do you think is the risk to have early parliamentary elections?

Nicolae Timofti: There is a risk of early elections, but it is equally true that we have sufficient time at our disposal to establish a new government garniture and I believe in the responsibility of politicians to find a solution in order to avoid a parliamentary ballot this year. It is clear that stability and continuation of government act is preferable. At least this is my opinion. Only this way we can focus on the implementation of reforms and increasing populations’ welfare. People expect results, not endless discussions about politics and functions.

AGERPRES: Will it be possible to sign the EU Association Agreement this year?

Nicolae Timofti: From a technical point of view we are ready to conclude negotiations on the Association Agreement, which is crucial for our further course and for our relationship with the European Union. We will not allow wasting the advantage of being the leader in the Eastern Partnership, despite the political crisis we face. But even if we get in Vilnius only the initialling of the Association Agreement it will be still good for the Republic of Moldova.

AGERPRES: You have stated several times that you want special relations between the Republic of Moldova and Romania. How do you assess the current ones?

Nicolae Timofti: We already have special relations of friendship with Romania, which we will develop further. At the political level we have a very good communication and this communication will give concrete results in economic and cultural areas. I wish a government to be installed in Chisinau as soon as possible in order to carry out in conditions of political stability the visit of President Traian Basescu, which has been postponed, as you know, because of health issues I had.

AGERPRES: Which should be, in your opinion, the priority projects on the agenda of the Moldova - Romania bilateral relations?

Nicolae Timofti: You know the mission of politicians is to remove barriers that separate people for the people to be able to collaborate among them. Very interesting Moldovan-Romanian projects take shape in commercial and artistic areas thanks to the opening politicians on both sides of the Prut River showed. And such private projects, if I may say, also are part of our bilateral relationship. Regarding intergovernmental projects, I wish the construction of the pipeline Iasi-Ungheni, which is extremely important for our energy security, to be completed in a reasonable timeframe, and to have more Romanian investments in our country. Also, I rely heavily on the support Romania is providing us in our route towards European integration.  

AGERPRES: You have emphasized several times on international stages the need of withdrawing the Russian military troops and ammunition from the Republic of Moldova. Have you received any response from Moscow in this regard? In fact, why is it the withdrawal of Russian weapons so important for the Republic of Moldova?

Nicolae Timofti: Our position, which I expressed several times, on this issue remains unchanged, including the fact that this frozen conflict should be settled only by peaceful means. I would like only to note an increased interest shown by a number of Western leaders I met in the recent weeks to the Transnistrian conflict. And that makes me happy.

AGERPRES: Lately, many analysts and politicians talk about a stagnation of negotiations in Transnistria conflict settlement. Do you share the same opinion?

Nicolae Timofti: Negotiations are not easy, but they continue and this is important. The approach of our negotiators is a punctual and pragmatic one. We expect concrete results this year, under the Ukraine OSCE chairmanship. Ukraine is a neighbouring, friendly country we have very good relations with.

AGERPRES: Mr. President, how do you see the Republic of Moldova over three years, at the end of your term as head of state?

Nicolae Timofti: Like any person, I live with the hope for a better future. But I cannot help noticing the good things we have today. Our people, even living in tough conditions, lifted their eyes from the ground and have the courage to demand their rights. They do not accept to be ruled somehow, they want a civilized life. I feel their energy and determination. This makes me confident in the next day.