German and French foreign ministers will participate at an extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on the latest developments in Ukraine on Monday. The session will gather the foreign ministers of all 28 EU member states. The meeting is expected to start at 1:00 PM (Belgium time).

“An extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council will be held on Monday to discuss the EU’s response to these developments,” EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said on Saturday evening. “I will also meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov thereafter. I will travel to Kyiv on Wednesday to address these issues with all stakeholders.”

Știrea German, French Foreign Ministers cancel their trip to Moldova a apărut pe Moldova.org.

Residents of the region, who say their rights were violated, have a hard time bringing those responsible to justice. Many people do not even know who they should address in order to defend their rights.

Philip Leach, Professor of Human Rights Law at Middlesex University from the United Kingdom explained in an exclusive statement for Moldova.ORG who is responsible for human rights violations in regions under the control of separatist entities, namely in Transnistria.

Mr. Leach is also Director of the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC) which represents applicants before the European Court.

As Moldova is a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights (it has been since September 1997) and the Transnistrian region falls within Moldova’s internationally recognised territory, the European Convention is applicable. Therefore, individuals who claim to be the victims of human rights abuses are entitled to submit applications to the European Court of Human Rights (in Strasbourg).

The question as to which state is responsible for particular violations of the Convention in relation to regions under the control of separatist entities can be very complex. Under the Convention, jurisdiction is presumed to be exercised normally throughout a state’s territory. For example, the case of Assanidze v Georgia, in 2004, was brought by the former mayor of Batumi who complained about his detention in the ‘Ajarian Autonomous Republic’ – but the state of Georgia was found to be responsible for the Convention violations in that case.

However, this presumption of jurisdiction may be limited in exceptional circumstances, particularly where a state is actually prevented from exercising its authority in part of its territory (which may be as a result, for example, of control being exercised by a separatist regime, or of military occupation by the armed forces of another state which effectively controls the territory).

If it can be shown that another state in practice exercises control over the region, then that state would be considered to be responsible under the Convention. This was found to be the situation in the European Court judgment in the case of Ilaşcu v Moldova and Russia in 2004. This case was brought by four applicants (Ilie Ilaşcu, Alexandru Leşco, Andrei Ivanţoc and Tudor Petrov-Popa) who complained they had been unlawfully detained by the Transdniestrian authorities.

After an extensive analysis of the factual situation on the ground, which included travelling to the region and hearing witnesses, the European Court concluded that the Russian government could be held responsible because of the military, economic, financial and political support which Russia had given to the separatist regime. This meant that the regime was under the effective authority of, or at the very least under the decisive influence of, the Russian Federation.

However, this does not necessarily mean that the state in whose territory the separatist regime has been established will be ‘off-the-hook’. This is because the Convention still imposes on such a state positive obligations to take appropriate steps to ensure that the rights under the Convention are respected within its territory. So, even where the exercise of the state’s authority is limited in part of its territory, it still has a duty to take all the appropriate measures which it is within its power to take – to use all the legal and diplomatic means available to it.

Applying this test in the Ilaşcu case, the European Court found that Moldova was also responsible for the Convention violations, because the Moldovan authorities were considered to have failed to have taken sufficient steps to secure the applicants’ release from detention since 2001.

In the case of Catan in 2012, a group of Moldovans, who lived in Transnistria and who had been at three Romanian-language schools, and their parents, complained about the closure of their schools and their harassment by the Transnistrian authorities, after the authorities had forbidden the use of the Latin script in schools and required the use of an ‘approved’ curriculum and the Cyrillic script.

In that case, the European Court found that the case fell within the jurisdiction of both Moldova and Russia, although, in applying the facts of the case, it found that only Russia was responsible for the violations of the applicants’ right to education (as it found that Moldova had in fact made considerable efforts to support them).

These cases can be complex, both in terms of their facts and the relevant law. In the light of its previous decisions, it is clear that complaints concerning alleged human rights violations in the Transnistrian region can effectively be submitted to the European Court. The case-law also confirms that both Russia and Moldova may be considered to be responsible for any Convention violations, depending upon the particular facts of the case.

Știrea British expert explains who is responsible for human rights violations in Transnistria a apărut pe Moldova.org.

The meeting aimed at enhancing democracy, rule of law and economic development in Moldova.

Moldovan speaker of Parliament Igor Corman said that Moldova has chosen the European integration path, the country having no way back.

Michael Scanlan, Special Advisor for Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus from the State Department said that the United States is committed to find a solution for the Transnistrian conflict.

“European integration is the best guaranty for a prosperous future of the Republic of Moldova,” Mr. Scanlan said.

Secretary of North Carolina, Elaine Marshall said that the state she represents wants to enhance the relations with Moldova.

“North Carolina plans on renewing the partnership with Moldova for the third time,” Ms. Marshall said.

Messages of support have been delivered by Karl Altau, executive director of the Joint Baltic-American National Committee.

Among other speakers were Asif Chaudhry, ex-U.S. ambassador to Moldova, Veronica Bacalu from the International Monetary Fund, Lilia Burunciuc from the World Bank, Veceslav Ciobanu, ex-Moldovan ambassador to Washington, D.C., Vlad Spanu from the Moldova Foundation, Ray West from Moldova World Children’s Fund, Elena Dragalin from Moldova-AID Foundation and Felicia Belostecinic, a student at the Georgetown University.

“Moldova needs investments to improve the infrastructure, enhance the institutional capacities, improve the investment climate and keep its most important capital – the people,” said Lilia Burunciuc, former vice-governor of the Moldovan Central Bank.

Veronica Bacalu pointed out that the East and West concepts should be valid for trade and investment purposes only, while the political orientation should lean towards West.

Vlad Spanu maintained that strong institutions are needed in Moldova.

“Moldova needs strong institutions, not powerful oligarchs,” Mr. Spanu said. “The courts should demand the respect for law and contracts.”

The next Moldova-US Convention will be organized in 2015 in Chicago.

Știrea US-based Convention concludes with call on respect for rule of law and democracy in Moldova a apărut pe Moldova.org.

Although vote of the European Parliament’s plenary is significant, the EU Council of Ministers is also expected to vote before the visa requirements can be relaxed. The latter EU body is likely to meet in March to make the final decision. The mutually agreed decision will enter into force 20 days after it has been published in the Journal of the European Union.

According to MEP Monica Macovei, there is no reluctance from any EU member states with regard to visa liberalization for Moldova.

The rapporteur for the Commission’s proposal to lift visa requirements for Moldova, Tanja Fajon said in a comment on Twitter immediately after the vote that today’s event is “a big step in European journey.”

Once the visa regime is abolished, Moldovan citizens will be able to travel visa-free in the Schengen zone of the EU. That does not include Ireland and the United Kingdom. However, Moldovans will be able to travel to Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Iceland, which are non-EU member states, but part of the Schengen zone.

Moldovan citizens will also be able to travel to Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus (non-Schengen EU member states) once visa requirements for the Schengen zone are lifted.

The maximum period of stay should not exceed 90 days in a six months period. The chance to travel visa-free does not provide the citizens of Moldova the opportunity to seek employment within the Schengen countries.

Știrea European Parliament abolished visa regime for Moldova a apărut pe Moldova.org.

Moldovan President’s spokesman Vlad Turcanu told Publika TV that Mr. Marinuta resigned following a meeting of the Ministry of Defense committee which lasted for more than two hours. He explained that President Nicolae Timofti criticized the lack of discipline within the national army.

It is still unknown who will take over the empty chair.

Mr. Marinuta has been in office since September 25, 2009.

Știrea Moldovan Minister of Defense resigned a apărut pe Moldova.org.

“It will have a decidedly positive effect,” he said. “It will slow down the demand for Romanian passports – a good thing. Basically there is a competition of passports in the region.”

According to Mr. Mizsei, the EU has realized some of its mistakes and has sped up the integration process with the Republic of Moldova.

“Things look all of a sudden very good for Moldova,” the former EU diplomat said. “It means that Moldova’s economic prosperity has a chance to turn much better. Already the economy is growing above the regional average and now there is a great chance it will be extended.”

European Parliament is expected to vote on Thursday the abolishment of visa requirements for Moldovan citizens holding a biometric passport who want to travel to EU’s Schengen area for no longer than 90 days every half a year.

Știrea Visa-free regime with EU to make Moldovan passports attractive for Transnistria residents a apărut pe Moldova.org.

The agenda will be made public in the near future after it will be finalized. No details were announced yet.

Their journey is part of a joint agenda they have recently agreed upon. The European officials are also expected to travel to Georgia.

Știrea German, French Foreign Ministers come to Moldova on Monday a apărut pe Moldova.org.

The vote follows a green light given by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs on February 12 with respect to visa-free travel regime for Moldovans.

After the vote of the EU Parliament, which requires a simple majority, the resolution will be passed to the Council of Ministers, who is likely to take a final decision at the beginning of March. However, the procedure seeks to reach a consensus between the EU Parliament and the EU Council on this matter.

The mutually agreed decision will enter into force 20 days after it has been published in the Journal of the European Union.

EU lawmakers promised the Moldovan citizens to travel visa-free as of this summer.

Once the visa regime is abolished, Moldovan citizens will be able to travel visa-free in the Schengen zone of the EU. That does not include Ireland and the United Kingdom. However, Moldovans will be able to travel to Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Iceland, which are non-EU member states, but part of the Schengen zone.

Moldovan citizens will also be able to travel to Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus (non-Schengen EU member states) once visa requirements for the Schengen zone are lifted.

The maximum period of stay should not exceed 90 days in a six months period. The chance to travel visa-free does not provide the citizens of Moldova the opportunity to seek employment within the Schengen countries.

Știrea European Parliament set to vote visa abolishment for Moldova a apărut pe Moldova.org.

The officials stressed that the two countries support the EU membership perspectives of the Republic of Moldova.

The two former Soviet republics, which joined the EU in 2004, are important partners for Moldova, since they all share a common history for a few decades. Moldova is in top seven country list to benefit from Lithuanian external assistance. Moreover, Lithuania was the country to host the Eastern Partnership Summit in 2013 where Moldova initialed the Association Agreement with the EU.

Latvia is the next country to host such a summit in Riga in May 2015.

“We are hopeful that the Riga Summit, scheduled for May 2015, will bring us even closer to the achievement of our joint goal of European integration,” said Moldovan Premier Iurie Leanca.

Moldovan Foreign Minister welcomed Mr. Rinkēvičs’ decision to open a Latvian embassy in Chisinau in the near future.

Latvia will take over the Presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2015. The country joined the eurozone on January 1, 2014.

Știrea Latvia, Lithuania back Moldova’s EU membership perspective a apărut pe Moldova.org.

The conclusions have been issued by Henri Malosse, President of the EU Economic and Social Committee following a visit to Comrat on Friday.

Gagauzia voted in favor of closer ties with Russia-led Customs Union in an unconstitutional referendum carried out on February 2.

“The Gagauz population is not against European integration, but demands respect for autonomy, a fairer distribution of resources, including EU funds, a greater commitment to the fight against corruption in the country,” Mihail Formuzal told Mr. Malosse during their meeting, according to a press release.

However, the statements contradict the results of the unconstitutional referendum this month.

The results of the illegal plebiscite show that over 98% of people want to join the Customs Union, while 97% are against Moldova’s current European integration process.

Știrea Governor of Gagauzia contradicts himself: People are not against EU integration a apărut pe Moldova.org.