Ambassdor Kirby Speeches

MY THOUGHTS ON THE PLACE OF MOLDOVA IN THE WORLD

Lecture by Ambassador Michael D. Kirby
At the Academy of Public Administration

Chisinau, Moldova
November 8, 2007

Dear Rector Roman,

Esteemed Faculty and Students of the Academy,

Thank you for inviting me to speak here before you to share my thoughts with you on Moldova's place in the world. 

“Where do we see Moldova in the world?”

Sometimes, when we ask a question such as this, the answer is so clear and obvious that we fail to see it, much like an object that we hold too close to our eyes. We may go looking for complicated and convoluted explanations. 

A scientific axiom, Occam's Razor, tells us that the simplest explanation is usually the best one.

So, what is the simplest answer to the question: Where is Moldova in the world?

The answer is:  Moldova is in Europe.  That is where it always has been and where it will always be.  By saying this, we are not just talking about geopolitics.  We are not simply talking about Moldova as a piece of territory situated between Romania and Ukraine.  We are talking about Moldova’s place in European history, European civilization and European culture, and within the idea and ideals we call Europe. 

And Europe—as a place and as an idea—is where I think Moldova belongs.

Why do I believe this to be true?  Why does my government believe this to be true?

First, let us review Moldova’s history as an inextricable part of general European history.  Moldova, in various shapes and forms, has been either an autocephalous actor in the region or has been a part of neighboring kingdoms and empires.  You know Moldova's history better than I do:  Moldova as a medieval principality, as a province of the Ottoman Empire, as a gubernia within the Russian Empire, as part of Greater Romania, then as part the Soviet Union.  Moldova was linked with the royal families of Europe and was involved in or was affected by major European events, such as the Napoleonic Wars, the social upheavals of the 19^th century, the Russian Revolution, the cataclysms of the First and Second World Wars, the horrors of the Holocaust, and the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Then, one may point to Moldova's undeniable European culture.  Moldova's state language as well as the other languages spoken on its territory are rooted in Latin, Old Slavonic, and other European languages.  Language of course helps weave Moldova tighter into the European fabric.  

Religion is another important aspect of Moldova’s European cultural identity.  The Orthodox Christian tradition, rooted in Constantinopol, Kyiv, Moscow and Bucharest, but also in the wider Judeo-Christian heritage, is also very much consonant with Moldova’s European nature and again squarely places it within modern Europe. 

Moldovan culture, in its various manifestations, in its spirit and form, is also squarely within the European cultural tradition.  We see this “Europeanness” clearly in Moldovan literature, not just in the medium (the language) but also in its themes.  We see it in the music of Eugene Doga, in popular dances, in its readily recognizable architecture, and in its plastic and performing arts traditions.

I think few Moldovans would argue with what I've described as Moldova's historical and cultural "Europeanness."  I think the more polemical part of the debate about Moldova's position lies in the modern idea and ideals of Europe, and in Moldova's decision about whether it wants to accept these ideas and ideals. 

When I think of the idea of modern Europe, I think first of the European Union.  In my view, states that are geographically in Europe should decide their place in or relationship with the European Union.  This does not necessarily mean joining that Union, although that may be one option.  Recall that Switzerland and Norway are two European countries that have opted to stay out of the EU, while they still belong to other European structures or clubs and are prosperous and democratic.  As important as the EU is, it is not the full definition of Europeanness. 

Even more important than the EU as a bureaucratic structure is the EU as representative of modern European standards.  These are the standards that most EU citizens believe will create, maintain and advance a just and prosperous society. 

What are those standards that are essential in making a country part of the European family of nations?  What are the fundamental, defining European values?

A modern European state – in my construct – subscribes to the values of freedom, equality of opportunity, human dignity, tolerance and non-discrimination.  Politically, a democratic form of government, pluralism, respect for human rights and the rule of law are fundamentals that underpin any modern European state.  Modern European governments welcome and ensure the right of civil society and the media to participate in and comment upon the governance of a nation.  Modern European governments place military and police forces under civilian control.  Modern European judiciaries are professional and use the law, not "telephone justice," to decide court cases.  Modern European governments have developed professional civil services. 

Economically, European governments may support state intervention in the economy, and even state ownership of some sectors of the economy, but European governments support private ownership of most of a country's assets.  Competition in a market economy is encouraged; entrepreneurs and business owners are protected by the law from unfair or coercive efforts by other businesses. 

So here, I think, is the issue for debate for Moldovans:  how "modern European" do Moldovans want their country to be? 

Will Moldovans decide, for example, that it's acceptable for governmental authorities to allow only broadcasters who are friendly to the government to receive broadcast licenses?  If only media owners who are not critical of the government are allowed to broadcast, Moldovan media will contain fewer voices, fewer ideas, fewer debates.  Moldovans will eventually have media who only tell you good things about the government, who will only tell you that things are going well in Moldova. 

Will Moldovans decide that it's acceptable for government to create obstacles so that fewer political parties can register and so that political parties have problems functioning freely?  Will Moldovans continue to ignore or be apathetic about poor governmental policies?  Will Moldovans hold the government accountable for those bad policies?   

Will Moldovans decide that it's acceptable for one company to force another company out of business, because the second company wants to take over the first company's business and has the "proper" connections to the rulers?  Will it be acceptable for governmental authorities to order a company to provide a service to another company that refuses to pay for that service?  If Moldovans decide that these actions are unacceptable, what will you do about it? 

Without a doubt, Moldova has taken solid steps towards claiming its place within the European community, such as in re-structuring the agricultural sector; diversifying its markets; drafting legislation that eliminates red tape and permits business and investment to grow; and reforming the Customs Service to reduce corruption and increase revenues. 

In my opinion, rather than focusing narrowly on being a member of the EU, Moldovans should fix their gaze on the journey, on what it takes to be a member of the EU and to be a modern European country.  Strengthening the rule of law is important.  Creating equal opportunities for citizens, regardless of how wealthy they are, is important.  Increasing the objectivity of the judiciary is important.  Ensuring media independence is important.    Changing society's view of what is acceptable and unacceptable is important. 

Little by little, these kinds of changes will attract foreign investment, raise health and transportation and environmental standards, give citizens a strong voice in the governing of their country, and make Moldova a modern, 21^st century country.  These changes are good for Moldova, whether it eventually joins the EU or decides to become a good neighbor with a multifaceted relationship with the EU.    

Such changes, such reform, will be painful, and time will not make it any easier.  Competition for joining the European Union is tight.  Citizens of the European Union will have to be convinced that it is in their interest to pay for other countries to join the EU.  Experience with the latest 12 members that joined the EU has, I believe, convinced EU citizens that taking on new members usually is costly for both the new members as well as for the old ones.  Competition for investment capital is tight.  Investors will have to be convinced that Moldova is a good, safe place to invest.  Other countries are making progress and you are not in a position to wait.  The experience of others has shown that tackling difficult, but necessary reforms head-on is the only way to go.  I would not counsel that Moldova delay.  I am absolutely convinced that if political and economic leaders as well as civil society work together in a spirit of national interest, you can succeed.

The United States has helped Moldova with its reforms.  We have assisted with agriculture reforms, privatization, decreasing over-regulation of business, strengthening political parties, increasing the independence and professionalism of the media and the judiciary, stepping up the fight against trafficking in persons and training the military.  We recognize, of course, that Moldovans will have to decide what changes they want to undertake and will have to shoulder the heavy burden of carrying out those reforms. 

As I stated at the beginning of my remarks, Moldova belongs to the mainstream of European history, civilization and culture.  The only question for Moldovans is, what kind of European country do you want Moldova to be?  The path you decide to take is, of course, up to you.  The dreams you decide to pursue for your country are yours alone.  The United States and your others friends in the international community will help you develop your country to become more democratic and more prosperous.  However, it is ultimately the responsibility of every Moldovan to make this a country of laws, a stronger country in which Moldovans want to stay and to which they want to return.