The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Project “Building Institutional Capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration”, has made a study on the Impact of the Regional Presidencies held by the Republic of Moldova during 2008-2009 years, managed by the international expert from Republic of Austria – Mr. Dietmar AIGNER.

The evaluation process has ended with the presentation of the final Report within a meeting organized in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration on 16 December 2009. At the Meeting participated the representatives of over 20 ministries and sectoral institutions involved in the regional presidencies execution, as well as representatives of international donor community.

In the beginning of the meeting, Mrs. Natalia GHERMAN, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, noted that the execution of the Presidencies on five consecutive regional organizations and initiatives has been a part of the European aspirations of our country and a specific objective of EU - Republic of Moldova Action Plan. The cooperation and interdependence on regional level is a useful exercise to participate in promoting the interests and European aspirations of our country. In the same time the active involvement in the Central and South-Eastern European processes has scored a significant advancement towards the valorification of the alignment objective to the values, principles and European standards.

The international Expert appreciated the professionalism and effective contribution of the local officials involved in the exercise of regional mandates, both in the MFA as well as the relevant sectoral institutions. He also highlighted the limited capacity to absorb the funds available for Moldovan institutions and the lack of a strategic framework on implementation of the long term objectives. It was also made an inventory of actions to be taken at the central administration authorities in order to benefit from opportunities offered by regional cooperation.

At the same time, experience so far shows that a number of political, economical, security and cultural issues can be better approached and settled in a relatively homogeneous framework, where there is certain cohesion and a common development experience. In this regard, the regions can provide the adequate framework to establish an effective mechanism of cooperation.

The international donors have appreciated the work done in these years, its effectiveness and relevance, which leaded to some short-term visible results, noting the need to promote a medium-term strategies that will contribute both to strengthening cooperation in the region and inter-European connection broadening the geographical cooperation area towards the wider Black Sea region. Also, donor community representatives reiterated their intention to further support our state in accomplishing its declared objectives and aspirations.

During 2008-2009, the Republic of Moldova has exercised the Presidencies in five consecutive regional organizations and initiatives: South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), Central European Initiative (CEI), Multinational Advisory Group (MAG) of the Centre for Security Cooperation - RACVIAC (MAG RACVIAC), South East European Health Network (SEEHN) and regional arrangements CEFTA (Central European Free Trade Agreement).