MGERB took part in the first meeting of the Council of the EDS on the topic of: “Human rights and democracy – popularization of European values

27/09/10

From the 21st of September to the 26th of September in Chisinau, Moldova the first Council of the EDS for 2010 was held. There was participation of over 25 member organisations from different countries, and the host of the event was the youth organisation of the Christian Democratic Peoples Party (PPCD) – “New Generation”.

MGERB was represented by Kalin Zahariev, Deputy International Secretary of MGERB and Co-Chair of the permanent work group for higher education of the EDS.

The opening of the event was a discussion with the participation of Natalia Corobca, representative of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for Moldova. Given the foundations activities in Europe and in the world the topic was connected with the popularization the values of the EU.

The current political situation in Moldova, with a highlight on the Soviet past and the European future of Moldova was represented by Mr. Iurie Roşca, Chairman of the Christian Democratic People’s Party.

Two leading political analysts – Igor Boţan and Dr. Viorel Ciobotaru presented the process of the democratization in Moldova, the consolidation of the democratic processes and the government strategy in these directions. From the side of the two analysts the situation in Moldova was described as a “stable instability”, lack of political parties and instead a presence of “geopolitical parties”, targeted to the Russian Federation and the European Union. The topic about the separatist territory of Transnistria was discussed. According to the words of the two, the unrecognized as a separate subject area is supported by Russia, which supports targeted separatist territories in the former Soviet republics.

The youths met with Mr. Vitalie Grosu, representative of the Center for Information and Documentation of NATO in Moldova. The main topic was for the Euro-Atlantic perspectives for Moldova.

There were held several meeting in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, where the participants had a discussion with a representative of the cabinet of the minister. During the discussion a clear signal was given for the foreign policy of Moldova – towards the EU and NATO, and in the Ministry of Justice, where the participants had the opportunity to talk with the Deputy Minister regarding the key role of jurisdiction regarding human rights and the future of the joining of Moldova to the EU.

One of the most important meetings was with the Minister of Education, towards who were directed many questions, regarding the education system of Moldova, the Bologna Process, the number and financing of higher education facilities, the mobility of the students, exchange programs, accreditation of the higher education facilities and disciplines, and others.

During the work session the participants were divided in the three permanent work groups of the EU – Higher education, Policies of Europe and Human Rights.

In the frame of the working sessions were presented, discussed and amended proposals and resolutions in the competencies of the different groups. There were organised discussions with representatives of non-government organisations in the sphere of human rights. The main direction of the discussions were for the role of the NGO’s in the defence of human rights, increasing the initiatives of young people, especially in regions such as Transnistria. The legal frame for the human rights in Moldova was discussed. A representative of “Amnesty International” took part, presenting the activities of the organisation, as well as the problems with his work in Moldova.