1. Institute for
Development and
MOLDOVA’S FOREIGN POLICY STATEWATCH Social Initiatives
“Viitorul”
Issue 21, April 2011
Veaceslav Berbeca
MOLDOVA’S MEMBERSHIP FEES:
BETWEEN EFFICIENCY AND
SIMPLE PRESENCE
NEXT TOPIC
TO BE COVERED:
W
The relations
hen the Republic of Moldova became between Moldova
an independent state in 1991, it had and Romania
to make a considerable effort in order
to become a member of a number of
Moldova’s Foreign Policy Sta-
international organizations. The pro-
tewatch represents a series of
cess of joining international organiza- brief analyses, written by local
tions, started and supported initially and foreign experts, dedicated
by a pragmatic zeal along with the necessity to st- to the most topical subjects
related to the foreign policy of
rengthen the independence status of the Republic Moldova, major developments
of Moldova turned, subsequently, into a less clear in the Black Sea Region, coope-
exercise, at least for a part of society. However, ration with international orga-
the process keeps going on in a natural way, even nizations and peace building
activities in the region. It aims
if there are several opinions within the society, es- to create a common platform
pecially among the opposition political parties or for discussion and to bring to-
within the civil society, questioning the importance gether experts, commentators,
officials and diplomats who are
of the Republic of Moldova membership status
concerned with the perspecti-
in different international organizations from the ves of European Integration of
perspective of pecuniary issues or the national in- Moldova. It is also pertaining
terest. Thus, the national interest, the relationship to offer to Moldova’s diplomats
and analysts a valuable tribune
between benefits and costs would have to raise for debating the most interes-
the problem of reevaluating the content of the Re- ting and controversial points of
public of Moldova international cooperation. view that could help Moldova to
find its path to EU.

2. 2 Moldova’s Foreign Policy Statewatch
International participation
of the Republic of Moldova
The Republic of Moldova is a member of more than 60 international organizations, a process
that started upon proclamation of its independence. The process of joining the international structures
has not always taken into account the same logical arguments for joining each organization. However,
this attitude is a natural one because it occurred at different periods and depending on different
factors that could be now obsolete.
Certainly, the joining and participation of the Republic of Moldova in the framework of different
international organizations is an axiom but the knightly enthusiasm that characterized this process
should be monitored. The formal presence in some organizations is in contradiction to the Republic
of Moldova limited financial and human resources. Also, another reason that is invoked could refer to
the emergence of a lack of agreement between its current membership status in some international
organizations and its middle and long-term national interests.
The membership fees in the international organizations, to which the Republic of Moldova
belongs, accounted for about 50 million lei in the last 3 years. In 2009 the membership fees amounted
to 49950000 lei. In 2010 the sum of 46700000 lei1 was allocated and a substantial part represented
the money for paying off the debts run up before2. Finally, the 2011 State Budget Law provides the
figure of 48000000 lei for paying off the membership fees3. Although it does not look like a large sum,
it is necessary to strictly supervise the way the public money is spent, a process that will certainly be
of a particular interest to a growing number of the Republic of Moldova citizens.
Relation between efficiency and
participation in international
organizations
Obviously, the Republic of Moldova joining and participation in international organizations
should not be assessed according to a very rigid system that would imply the carrying out of an analysis
in terms of cost – benefit terminology. The state’s international collaboration could be explained
depending on many criteria. One of them, that we are going to insist on, is an assessment of the
international cooperation from the perspective of this process utility for the Republic of Moldova.
Speaking about the category of useful organizations, we will, first of all, refer to international
structures and organizations that give visibility and substance to the member states. Joining the UN
is the most important proof of a state’s existence and the UN multifunctional character backs up, one
more time, the idea of the importance of this organization for any state. The membership fees to the
UN, its programs, special funds and agencies are, by far, the largest sums out of the total amount paid
1
Government decision nr. 101 dated 17 February 2010 Hotărărea Guvernului nr. 101 din 17.02.2010 „Regarding the paying of the Republic of
Moldova membership fees and debts to the regional and international organizations from the 2010 year state budget.”
2 International Organizations and the Republic of Moldova, www.mf.gov.md/ro/cooperinternal/org/
3 Synthesis of the state budget in terms of revenues, expenditures, deficit and financing sources, www.mf.gov.md/common/actnorm/budget/
projectact/PBP2011/Anexe/Anexa_nr1_2011_Ro.pdf
Str. Iacob Hîncu 10/1, Chişinău MD-2005 Republic of Moldova 373 / 22 221844 phone 373 / 22 245714 fax office@viitorul.org www.viitorul.org

3. Moldova’s Foreign Policy Statewatch 3
annually by the state (accounting for more than one third of the entire amount) but the benefits are
corresponding to the costs. The UNDP role regarding the poverty alleviation, institutional development
and environment and energy issues in the Republic of Moldova is well-known.
The same logic may be used referring to the Council of Europe that develops common and
democratic principles on the basis of the European Convention on Human Rights and other reference
documents concerning the individuals’ protection. Also, the European Council instruments serve as
an accountability model for the member states authorities. The Republic of Moldova, since joining
the organization, has been under a continuous European Council scrutiny, a fact that proves that the
commitments made as a result of its joining and ratifying the conventions regarding human rights have
not been respected. The Republic of Moldova was to pay membership fees of 5477545 lei in 2010 to
the Council of Europe an amount that represents 11,72% out of the total sum. The European Court of
Human Rights is the last court the Republic of Moldova citizens may take their matter to if they consider
that their rights have been violated. From 1998 till 2011 196 decisions concerning the Republic of
Moldova were adopted. It has to be mentioned that there is a direct connection between the compliance
with the European Court of Human Rights decisions and the Republic of Moldova international image.
Otherwise, a system of sanctions with a negative impact on the Republic of Moldova could begin. But
the Republic of Moldova international participation and openness is vital for its economic, social and
political prosperity.
Another example in terms of utility would be the World Trade Organization that deals with the
trade regulations between the member states. Moldova had to pay 378976 lei in 2010, that accounts for
0, 81% out of the total amount of membership fees to the WTO which has to arbitrate in the commercial
disputes between the states. For example, on 3 March 2011, Moldova addressed to the WTO in order
to organize consultations with Ukraine regarding the discriminatory sales terms applied to the distilled
Moldovan alcoholic drinks on the Ukrainian market4.
Another important organization is the OSCE to which the Republic of Moldova pays 3631045
lei, i.e. more than 7, 78% of the total amount. The OSCE activity is quite diverse including combating
human trafficking, arms control and disarmament, conflict negotiation and resolution, mass-media
freedom, human rights and democratization. The OSCE presence is visible and important for the
Republic of Moldova.
There is, also, a category of international organizations, the Republic of Moldova is a member of
but the content and consequences of joining are not clear enough, from the utility perspective. We can
suppose that the fact of joining some structures was dictated by some political circumstances or some
arguments we might not have any knowledge about. By stating this, we do not ask to denounce these
organizations but we invite the state to explain the purpose of being members of many international
organizations and the civil society to express its opinion concerning the content of this international
collaboration. Moreover, assuming that they are important, we are interested in finding out if the state
capitalizes on the benefits provided by these international institutions.
In this context, we refer, first of all, to the CIS. The Republic of Moldova joined this organization
hoping, among other reasons, to solve the conflict in Transnistria. Also, Chisinau administration signed
and ratified within CIS agreements regarding the creation of the Economic Union and the free trade
zone. The Transnistrian conflict was not settled and in terms of trade the Republic of Moldova faced
several times an embargo on certain goods imposed by Russia. We can see that states’ participation
in the framework of different signed agreements is selective and depends on every state’s interest
in an agreement or another� and there are not mecanisms at the CIS level entitled to ensure the
implementation of the adopted norms. The relationships between the CIS states are regulated by
bilateral agreements and this is an explanation of the Commonwealth legislation inefficiency. The
4 Moldova files dispute against Ukraine, www.wto.org/english/news_e/news11_e/ds423rfc_03mar11_e.htm
Str. Iacob Hîncu 10/1, Chişinău MD-2005 Republic of Moldova 373 / 22 221844 phone 373 / 22 245714 fax office@viitorul.org www.viitorul.org

4. 4 Moldova’s Foreign Policy Statewatch
actual situation within the CIS seems to be in contradiction with the annual fees of 5310062 lei paid by
Chisinau to the CIS organizations which accounts to more than 11, 3 % of the total sum (the second
figure after that paid to the UN and its specialized agencies). There are, also, voices highliting the fact
that the CIS memebership is in contradiction to the goal of joining the EU.
Another organization from this category is the International Organization of the Francophonie
but the utility of this one is interesting for us from another perspective. The IOF is an organization
with a cultural mission but has a political one as well including 53 states and governments with a
full membership status. Although the membership fee is not a large one – about 600000 lei annually
together with the debts, we would like to know if the Republic of Moldova takes the advantages of
being a member of this organization. It would be curious to find out what is the correlation between
the IOF and France taking into account the fact that Paris has blocked some processes of getting
closer between the EU and the Republic of Moldova. This approach of capitalizing on the membership
benefits also refers to the Conference concerning the Navigation Regime on the Danube to which we
pay 2429461 lei annually. We do not question the necessity of being a member of this organization but
we would like not to have just a formal presence there.
Conclusions and recommendations
The Chisinau administration should assess its presence in terms of international cooperation.
The need of this action is dictated by practical and financial reasons but by the middle and long-term
state’s interests as well. The Republic of Moldova has limited human and financial resources and,
that’s why, it has to establish a list of priorities from the perspective of international collaboration.
Assuming that all organizations are important, we would like to know if we take advantage
of all benefits offered by these internatonal bodies and the state has to explain the reasons and
needs of belonging to these organizations and the results of cooperation with these international
institutions.
The signing and ratifying of agreements implies the compliance with some commitments. The
fact that the Council of Europe is still monitoring the Republic of Moldova is a proof of the state’s
weakness. Chisinau administration must make efforts in order to comply with its commitments to
the international bodies. This thing would give the Moldovan society a new perception for which the
paying of membership fees would not mean a waste of money but an indication of the state’s maturity.
The Republic of Moldova must pay off its debts incurred during years and avoid their appearance
in the future. Eventually, the image of a state is shaped also by its compliance with the financial
commitments.
This publication was produced by IDIS “Viitorul” with the financial support of Soros Foundation
Moldova and the National Endowment for Democracy. The opinions expressed in this publicati-
on reflect the author’s/authors’ position and don’t necessary represent the views of the donors.
Str. Iacob Hîncu 10/1, Chişinău MD-2005 Republic of Moldova 373 / 22 221844 phone 373 / 22 245714 fax office@viitorul.org www.viitorul.org
Str. Iacob Hîncu 10/1, Chişinău MD-2005 Republic of Moldova 373 / 22 221844 phone 373 / 22 245714 fax
office@viitorul.org www.viitorul.org