Moldova - Foreign policy



The Voronin government continues to look eastward in its foreign policy despite sustained popular protests at his moves toward Russia. A majority of the population is ethnically and linguistically aligned with Romania, a country that has moved increasingly toward integration with Western Europe. Nevertheless, Voronin has deepened ties with Russia and described the relationship between the two countries as "a long-term strategic partnership." In April 2002 the Russian Duma (parliament) approved a treaty establishing it as a guarantor of peace in Moldova. Previous governments had sought the removal of Russian peacekeepers in the breakaway region of Dniestr, but Voronin welcomes their presence. In a further sign of Moldova's hostility to its western neighbors, it expelled the Romanian military attaché in March 2002, prompting authorities in the Romanian capital, Bucharest, to expel a Moldovan diplomat.

In July 2001, Voronin welcomed a visit from Chinese president Jiang Zemin; the leaders signed a two-year pledge of cultural cooperation and Jiang pledged US $1 million in aid. In December 2002, Voronin met with U.S. president George W. Bush and issued a joint statement with him affirming the relationship between the two countries, and acknowledging the work Moldova needed to bring about reform and privatization.

Also read article about Moldova from Wikipedia

User Contributions:

Comment about this article, ask questions, or add new information about this topic: