Comparative presentation of democracy and rule of law asssistance from new EU Member States to Eastern Partnership states. Relations between two pairs of countries with a special connection (Poland - Ukraine and Romania - Moldova) are considered.
Original Title
Riding the Third Wave of Democracy: Best Practice Transfers to Moldova and Ukraine
Comparative presentation of democracy and rule of law asssistance from new EU Member States to Eastern Partnership states. Relations between two pairs of countries with a special connection (Poland - Ukraine and Romania - Moldova) are considered.
Comparative presentation of democracy and rule of law asssistance from new EU Member States to Eastern Partnership states. Relations between two pairs of countries with a special connection (Poland - Ukraine and Romania - Moldova) are considered.
office@ganes.ro www.ganes.ro May 2014 The Third Wave of Democratization 1991: Samuel Huntington published the volume The Third Wave: Democratization in the Late Twentieth Century First Wave: early 19 th century, Jacksonian Democracy Second Wave: Victory of the West in the Second World War Third Wave: Carnation Revolution, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Eastern Europe EU Eastern Neighborhood: Possible Wave 3.5? New EU Members vs. Eastern Partnership In 2004, 8 Central and Eastern European states were admitted to the EU, with 2 more to follow in 2007. These countries have achieved remarkable transitions from state-planned to market economy and from communism to democracy. They were heterogeneous at the outset of their transitions and their progress reflected to a significant extent their different starting points. 0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 Austria Czechoslovakia Hungary Poland Romania USSR (all) Moldavian SSR GDP/Capita in CEE in 1990: A Mixed Picture Lessons from transition But: relative poverty and rigidity of governing regime at fall of Iron Curtain is only secondary predictor of success in reform and economic growth. Lesson from transition: progress is most substantial where policies are rule-based and transparent. The border between New EU Member States and Eastern Partnership is borne from geopolitics rather than from structural (objective) conditions. Poland and Ukraine There can be no free Poland without a free Ukraine First country to recognize Ukrainian independence (1991) Leading promoter of the Eastern Partnership framework 2012 European Championship Sikorskis involvement in solving the Euromaidan crisis. Polish Aid and Solidarity Fund 21 Programs in 2013 undertaken according to following priorities: Public security and border management (4 projects PLN 0.62 mln) Institutional capability building in areas like public safety, crisis management and environmental protection. Regional development and public administration capacity building (9 projects PLN 2.42 mln). Strengthening of local government in modern public utility services management, real estate management and energy saving. Small and medium enterprises and creation of new jobs (8 projects PLN 2.56 mln) Polish Aid and Solidarity Fund Supporting democratic processes priority area. Activities: supporting democracy and good governance, including civil society participation; strengthening rule of law, promoting human rights protection; promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women; ensuring better access to information, including stronger independent media and more effective social control of the media; supporting pro-democracy institutions, activists and movements; strengthening civil society organizations; developing local governments; improving access to high-quality education and civic education; Polish Flagship Initiatives European Endowment for Democracy (END) EU-wide initiative spearheaded by Poland in 2011 as response to Arab Spring. Adoption in 2012 by EU Institutions Start of operations mid-August 2013. Aims to support democratization processes and build civil society. Targets web and social media activists and independent journalists who cannot seek help from the EU and other donors. Community of Democracies Coalition of over one hundred countries whose mission is to promote democratic principles and strengthen democratic norms and institutions. Established during an international conference in Warsaw in 2000 on the initiative of Polish Foreign Minister Prof. Bronisaw Geremek and US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright Polish Flagship Initiatives Solidarity Fund Polish State Treasury foundation set up in 2001 on the initiative of Polands President and reactivated in 2011. The Fund may carry out tasks in a country in a special political situation. The Fund is tasked with supporting democratization processes, in particular by building democratic competences of young opinion makers, assisting leaders of systemic transformation and civic organizations. Its principal areas of operation are Eastern Partnership countries (with special emphasis on Belarus) Romania and Moldova A challenging context Polarized society Fragile balance of power Relative dependence on Russian markets for exports Relatively high number of expatriate workers in Russia (300 K, 36% of remittances in 2013) Recommended approach: Three-prong assistance process Institution strengthening and enhancing rule of law Mitigate dependence on Moscow: e.g. Transnistria power plant, gas, export market Delivering real results for people on the ground: roads, electricity, schools, kindergartens etc. An Excellent Track Record Development Assistance to Moldova Since 2007, Moldova has become the number one priority of Romanian ODA. The Romanian MFA allocated 800,000 Euros in 2007 for projects that envisaged social development, public administration support, support for civil society organizations, drinking water supply systems in rural areas. Romanias sectorial priorities in Moldova: Good governance; Strengthening democracy and the rule of law; Agriculture and sustainable economic development; Environmental protection; Education and employment; Health Romania and Moldova: ODA Scholarship policy for Moldovan students. 5000 scholarships are offered yearly (6,000 in 2013) Romanias image as a donor in Republic of Moldova was affected by the lack of coherency in the management of the 100 million Euro grant that President Basescu announced in 2010. Since 2011, part of the money were directed towards large investments projects (e.g., the partial financing of the gas pipeline Iasi - Ungheni) but the two ministries for regional development managing the fund remained unable to identify and finance the type of interventions that were initially envisaged. Anticorruption and Institution Building Key area of support, as Romania itself has been struggling with need to strengthen rule of law and fight corruption In Romania, two institutions were paramount and have of late become EU-wide best practices: National Integrity Agency. Preventive anti-corruption treatment. Estd. 2007. National Anticorruption Directorate. Transposing these institutional best practices to the Republic of Moldova is a significant contribution toward strengthening Chisinaus democratic record. Developments in Moldova Reform of the National Anticorruption Center Creation of the National Integrity Commission implementation of legislation with regard to statements of assets and conflicts of interest) Modeled after the National Integrity Agency in Romania albeit with less legislative leverage and weaker protection against political intrusion. Regular working visits between Romanian and Moldovan institutions Developments in Moldova Impact of new institutions: immunity impunity! The professional evaluation of 469 judges began in October 2013. 450 positions of assistant to judge and 50 positions of court managers have been created to assist magistrates in their daily work. A new concept for reforming the prosecutors office was unveiled in November with legislative amendments scheduled for adoption in spring 2014. Assets of 90,000 public servants scrutinized MPs, judges and ministers investigated for concealing assets. two judges detained on corruption charges and five other removed by Superior Council of Magistracy for low integrity records. Several criminal investigations against judges. Developments in Moldova Progress should not be taken for granted. Investigations Indictments Sentencing Romania shows that first high level sentencing is real turning point. Conclusions Rules-based policies critical for explaining progress of transition countries. New EU Member States are valuable vehicles for allowing leapfrog of EaP countries. Poland: significant policy planning capabilities, vision and muscle. Welcome reliance on links with civil society. Romania: need for more cohesion in terms of policy formulation and follow-up. But useful institutional models for Moldova in key areas. Thank you for your attention.