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Moldova on the Road to the European Union: Looking East or West?

Year 2022, Volume: 4 Issue: 1, 93 - 114, 30.04.2022

Abstract

With the end of the Cold War, the European Community (later the European Union (EU)) faced new geopolitical challenges. These geopolitical challenges had implications for continental Europe’s security. One of the most important challenges is the independence of the Eastern European countries that were previously members of the Soviet Union. Considering these factors, Moldova’s geopolitical relevance has grown due to its position as the European Union’s eastern border neighbour with the rest of the globe. Since gaining its independence in 1991, Moldova has collaborated with the European Union under the new European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) in 2004 and also in the Eastern Partnership Program (EaP) in 2009. The aim of these collaborations was to significantly improve relations between the EU and Moldova and to support the reform process in Moldova. In keeping with these principles, Moldova has undergone considerable institutional reforms to bring it closer to European norms. On the one hand, the ENP is widely regarded as one of the EU’s most effective tools for forging reconciliation with its Eastern neighbours. On the other hand, this policy can be expressed as a way of motivating member states to integrate with Europe without membership. In this study, considering the effect of Europeanization and the implementation of the socialisation movement, it is sought to answer the questions of how the implementation of the ENP and especially the EaP in Moldova affected the political development of this country and how successfully the EU achieved this partnership. As a result, it may be stated as a hypothesis of the study that the ENP, through the concepts of conditionality and socialisation, has put pressure on Moldova to conduct political changes. Furthermore, these measures had only a little influence on Moldova. For this purpose, it employed the Europeanization approach to test the article’s hypothesis and get a better understanding of Moldova’s internal changes. When the effect of Europeanization and socialisation as a measure of EU neighbourhood policy is examined, the relationship between the variables, it is concluded that through conditionality and socialisation, ENP and EaP have not any significant impact on the functioning of the Moldovan government, the electoral process, corruption, civil liberties, and human rights. Moreover, when socialisation is analysed in the context of Europeanization, it is seen that it has not yet led to Moldova’s socio-political development, and most of the evidence shows that Moldova lags behind in approximating its laws to EU norms and standards.

References

  • Bodishteanu, N. (2020). Republic of Moldova and Its Eurasian Track of Policy: The Impact of Internal&External Factors on The Foreign Policy Formation. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3738144.
  • Bologan, D. (2015). The adjustment of Moldova’s competition law to European Union competition law (No. 1/15).
  • Börzel, T. A., & Risse, T. (2003). Conceptualizing the Domestic Impact of Europe. In The Politics of Europeanization, In The Politics of Europeanization. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/0199252092.003.0003.
  • Bodishteanu, N. (2020). Republic of Moldova and Its Eurasian Track of Policy: The Impact of Internal&External Factors on The Foreign Policy Formation. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3738144.
  • Bologan, D. (2015). The adjustment of Moldova’s competition law to European Union competition law (No. 1/15).
  • Börzel, T. A., & Risse, T. (2003). Conceptualizing the Domestic Impact of Europe. In The Politics of Europeanization, In The Politics of Europeanization. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/0199252092.003.0003.
  • Börzel, T., Thomas, R. (2016). Conceptualizing the Domestic Impact of Europe (2003). In In Domestic Politics and Norm Diffusion in International Relations: Ideas do not Float Freely (pp. 150–171). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1093/0199252092.003.0003.
  • Börzel, T.A., Pamuk, Y. (2012). Pathologies of Europeanization Fighting Corruption in the Southern Caucasus. West European Politics, 35(1), 79–97. https://doi.org/10.1080/01402382.2012.631315.
  • Börzel, T.A, Risse, T. (2012). From Europeanisation to Diffusion: Introduction. West European Politics, 35(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/01402382.2012.631310.
  • Bosse, G. (2010). The EU’s Relations with Moldova: Governance, Partnership or Ignorance? Europe-Asia Studies, 62(8), 1291–1309. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668136.2010.504528.
  • Całus, K., & Kosienkowski, M. (2018). Relations between Moldova and the European Union. In The European Union and its eastern neighbourhood (pp. 99–113). Manchester University Press. https://doi.org/10.7228/manchester/9781526109095.003.0007.
  • Cantir, C., & Kennedy, R. (2015). Balancing on the Shoulders of Giants: Moldova’s Foreign Policy toward Russia and the European Union. Foreign Policy Analysis, 11(4), 397–416. https://doi.org/10.1111/fpa.12051.
  • Checkel, J. T. (2005). ‘’International institutions and socialization in Europe: Introduction and framework’’. International Organization, 59(4), 801–826. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020818305050289.
  • European Commission. (2004). Communication from the Commission European Neighbourhood Policy: strategy paper. Com (2004). Brussels. Retrieved from http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal content/en/txt/pdf/?uri=celex:52004dc0373&from=de.
  • Dandashly, A., & Noutcheva, G. (2019). ‘’Unintended Consequences of EU Democracy Support in the European Neighbourhood’’. International Spectator, 54(1), 105–120. https://doi.org/10.1080/03932729.2019.1554340.
  • Danii, O., Mascauteanu, M. (2011). ‘’Moldova Under the European Neighbourhood Policy: ‘Falling Between Stools’’. Journal of Communist Studies and Transition Politics, 27(1), 99–119. https://doi.org/10.1080/13523279.2011.544385.
  • Duffy, M. (2021). Moldova and the Transnistria Conflict: Still a Regional Cold War? E-International Relations. Retrieved from https://www.e-ir.info/2021/08/03/moldova-and-the-transnistria-conflict-still-a-regional-cold-war/.
  • Dunlop, T. (2013). Why Russian wine ban is putting pressure on Moldova. BBC. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-24992076.
  • Emerson, M. (2019). Scenarios for a Wider Europe. Policy Insights. Thinking Ahread for Europe, 02, 1–19. https://www.ceps.eu/ceps-publications/scenarios-wider-europe/.
  • European Commision. (2017). Myths about the Eastern Partnership. In Eaas (pp. 1–4). retrieved from: https://www.euneighbours.eu/sites/default/files/publications/2017-11/eng.myth_busting_factsheet_eap_0.pdf.
  • Exadaktylos, T., Graziano, P. R., & Vink, M. P. (2020). 3. Europeanization: Concept, Theory, and Methods. In The Member States of the European Union (pp. 47–70). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/hepl/9780198737391.003.0003.
  • Kelly, J. (2006). ‘’New Wine in Old Wineskins: Promoting Political Reforms through the New European Neighbourhood Policy’’. Journal of Common Market Studies, 44(1), 29–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5965.2006.00613.x.
  • Korosteleva, E. (2010). ‘’Moldova’s European Choice: ‘Between Two Stools’?’’ Europe-Asia Studies, 62(8), 1267–1289. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668136.2010.504383.
  • Lavenex, S, Schimmelfennig, F. (2009). ‘’EU rules beyond EU borders: theorizing external governance in European politics’’. Journal of European Public Policy, 16(6), 791–812. https://doi.org/10.1080/13501760903087696.
  • Martinaitis, Ž. (2018). European promises: policy options of Eastern partnership policy. European Promises: Policy Options of Eastern Partnership Policy, 8(2), 164–181. https://doi.org/10.1515/bjes-2018-0020.
  • Montesano, F. S., Van Der Togt, T., & Zweers, W. (2016). The Europeanisation of Moldova: Is the EU on the Right Track? Clingendael Report. Retrieved from http://www.clingendael.nl/.
  • Morari, C. (2016). ‘’EU Role in the Republic of Moldova European Integration Within Eastern Partnership’’. Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, CES Working Papers, ISSN 2067-7693, 8(3), 410–425.
  • Popescu, N. (2004). Europeanization and conflict resolution: a view from Moldova. In Journal on Ethnopolitics and Minority Issues in Europe, Special Focus 1, (Issue September, pp. 1–17).
  • Radaelli, C. M. (2000). ‘’Whither Europeanization? Concept stretching and substantive change’’. European Integration Online Papers, 4(4), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.302761.
  • Răileanu Szeles, M. (2021). Examining the foreign policy attitudes in Moldova. PloS One, 16(1), e0245322. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245322.
  • Sasse, G. (2008). The European Neighbourhood Policy: Conditionality Revisited for the EU’s Eastern Neighbours. Europe-Asia Studies, 60(2), 295–316. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668130701820150.
  • Schimmelfennig, F .(2005). ‘’The International Promotion of Political Norms in Eastern Europe: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis’’. In Jean Monnet/Robert Schuman Paper Series (Vol. 5, Issue 61).
  • Schimmelfennig, F. (2012). ‘’Europeanization beyond Europe. Living Reviews in European Governance’’. 4(3). https://doi.org/10.14629/lreg-2015-1.
  • Schimmelfennig, F, Scholtz, H (2010). ‘’Legacies and Leverage: EU Political Conditionality and Democracy Promotion in Historical Perspective’’. Europe-Asia Studies, 62(3), 443–460. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668131003647820.
  • Schimmelfennig, F, Sedelmeier, U. (2005). Introduction: conceptualizing the Europeanization of Central and Eastern Europe. In In F. Schimmelfennig & U. Sedelmeier (Eds.), Science and Public Policy, (Vol. 37, pp. 646–664). Cornell University Press.
  • Silitski, V. (2009). ‘’The EU’s Eastern Partnership Why It May Help Democracy Promotion and How the United States Can Help Move It Forward’’. Ponars Eurasia Policy Memo, 70, 1–5.
  • Van Seeters, M. (2010). European influences in Moldova, The role of the European Union on nation-building in Moldova. Radboud University, Nijmegen.
  • Visions, R. N., & Vardanean, E. (2018). Moldova between Russia and the West Internal Divisions behind the Commitment to European Integration, (August).
  • Wiśniewski, P. D. (2013). ‘’The Eastern Partnership It is High Time to Start a Real Partnership’’ Moscow: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 31.

Moldova ve AB'nin Komşuluk Politikası: İnişli Çıkışlı Bir Ortaklık

Year 2022, Volume: 4 Issue: 1, 93 - 114, 30.04.2022

Abstract

Moldova'nın Avrupa Birliği ile dış dünya arasındaki doğu sınır komşusu olması, bu küçük ülkenin jeopolitik önemini artırmıştır. AB ile Moldova arasındaki işbirliği, ülkenin 2009 yılında bağımsızlığını kazanmasının ardından AB standartlarına uyum yönünde başlamıştır. Moldova ve AB arasındaki bağlantı, Avrupa Komşuluk Politikası (AKP) ve Doğu Ortaklığı Girişimi (DOG) kapsamında bir işbirliği anlaşmasının imzalanmasıyla sonuçlanmıştır. Ayrıca, bu politikalar doğrultusunda Moldova, kurumsal yapısında Avrupa standartlarına yaklaşmak amacıyla büyük reformlar gerçekleştirmiştir. Bu önlemler, AB’nin Doğu Komşularında yakınlaşmayı teşvik eden en önemli araçlardan biri olmakla birlikte, aynı zamanda Avrupa Komşuluk Politikası'nın kalkınma olmadan yeni bir entegrasyon modeli oluşturmasının da ana nedeni olarak bilinmektedir. AB ile Moldova arasındaki serbest ticaret ve işbirliği anlaşması, AB'nin Moldova'ya yönelik sınır yardım misyonu ve vizesiz rejim, iki taraf arasındaki ilişkilerin genişlemesini hızlandırdığı varsayılabilir. AB’nin komşuluk politikası koşulluluk ilkesi ve sosyalleşme ilkesi biçiminde, Moldova'da siyasi reform ve bölgesel gerilimler için baskılara yol açmıştır. Bu amaçla, bu makalenin hipotezini test etmek için ve Moldova'nın içsel değişimleri ve gelişimini anlamak için sosyalleşme teorisinden faydalanmıştır. Avrupalılaşma ve sosyalleşmenin AB komşuluk politikasının bir ölçüsü olarak etkisini incelendiğinde, değişkenler arasındaki ilişki, Avrupa komşuluk politikasının koşulluluk ve sosyalleşme yoluyla hükümetin işleyişi, seçim süreci, yolsuzluk, sivil özgürlükler ve insan hakları üzerinde herhangi bir etkisi olmadığı gösterilmiştir. Üstelik, sosyalleşmeyi Avrupalılaşma bağlamında incelendiğinde, bu dalların henüz Moldova'nın sosyo-politik gelişimine yol açmadığı görülmekte ve Moldova'nın çeşitli nedenlerle henüz AB'ye doğru ilerlemeye hazır olmadığı kanıtlanmaktadır.

References

  • Bodishteanu, N. (2020). Republic of Moldova and Its Eurasian Track of Policy: The Impact of Internal&External Factors on The Foreign Policy Formation. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3738144.
  • Bologan, D. (2015). The adjustment of Moldova’s competition law to European Union competition law (No. 1/15).
  • Börzel, T. A., & Risse, T. (2003). Conceptualizing the Domestic Impact of Europe. In The Politics of Europeanization, In The Politics of Europeanization. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/0199252092.003.0003.
  • Bodishteanu, N. (2020). Republic of Moldova and Its Eurasian Track of Policy: The Impact of Internal&External Factors on The Foreign Policy Formation. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3738144.
  • Bologan, D. (2015). The adjustment of Moldova’s competition law to European Union competition law (No. 1/15).
  • Börzel, T. A., & Risse, T. (2003). Conceptualizing the Domestic Impact of Europe. In The Politics of Europeanization, In The Politics of Europeanization. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/0199252092.003.0003.
  • Börzel, T., Thomas, R. (2016). Conceptualizing the Domestic Impact of Europe (2003). In In Domestic Politics and Norm Diffusion in International Relations: Ideas do not Float Freely (pp. 150–171). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1093/0199252092.003.0003.
  • Börzel, T.A., Pamuk, Y. (2012). Pathologies of Europeanization Fighting Corruption in the Southern Caucasus. West European Politics, 35(1), 79–97. https://doi.org/10.1080/01402382.2012.631315.
  • Börzel, T.A, Risse, T. (2012). From Europeanisation to Diffusion: Introduction. West European Politics, 35(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/01402382.2012.631310.
  • Bosse, G. (2010). The EU’s Relations with Moldova: Governance, Partnership or Ignorance? Europe-Asia Studies, 62(8), 1291–1309. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668136.2010.504528.
  • Całus, K., & Kosienkowski, M. (2018). Relations between Moldova and the European Union. In The European Union and its eastern neighbourhood (pp. 99–113). Manchester University Press. https://doi.org/10.7228/manchester/9781526109095.003.0007.
  • Cantir, C., & Kennedy, R. (2015). Balancing on the Shoulders of Giants: Moldova’s Foreign Policy toward Russia and the European Union. Foreign Policy Analysis, 11(4), 397–416. https://doi.org/10.1111/fpa.12051.
  • Checkel, J. T. (2005). ‘’International institutions and socialization in Europe: Introduction and framework’’. International Organization, 59(4), 801–826. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020818305050289.
  • European Commission. (2004). Communication from the Commission European Neighbourhood Policy: strategy paper. Com (2004). Brussels. Retrieved from http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal content/en/txt/pdf/?uri=celex:52004dc0373&from=de.
  • Dandashly, A., & Noutcheva, G. (2019). ‘’Unintended Consequences of EU Democracy Support in the European Neighbourhood’’. International Spectator, 54(1), 105–120. https://doi.org/10.1080/03932729.2019.1554340.
  • Danii, O., Mascauteanu, M. (2011). ‘’Moldova Under the European Neighbourhood Policy: ‘Falling Between Stools’’. Journal of Communist Studies and Transition Politics, 27(1), 99–119. https://doi.org/10.1080/13523279.2011.544385.
  • Duffy, M. (2021). Moldova and the Transnistria Conflict: Still a Regional Cold War? E-International Relations. Retrieved from https://www.e-ir.info/2021/08/03/moldova-and-the-transnistria-conflict-still-a-regional-cold-war/.
  • Dunlop, T. (2013). Why Russian wine ban is putting pressure on Moldova. BBC. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-24992076.
  • Emerson, M. (2019). Scenarios for a Wider Europe. Policy Insights. Thinking Ahread for Europe, 02, 1–19. https://www.ceps.eu/ceps-publications/scenarios-wider-europe/.
  • European Commision. (2017). Myths about the Eastern Partnership. In Eaas (pp. 1–4). retrieved from: https://www.euneighbours.eu/sites/default/files/publications/2017-11/eng.myth_busting_factsheet_eap_0.pdf.
  • Exadaktylos, T., Graziano, P. R., & Vink, M. P. (2020). 3. Europeanization: Concept, Theory, and Methods. In The Member States of the European Union (pp. 47–70). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/hepl/9780198737391.003.0003.
  • Kelly, J. (2006). ‘’New Wine in Old Wineskins: Promoting Political Reforms through the New European Neighbourhood Policy’’. Journal of Common Market Studies, 44(1), 29–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5965.2006.00613.x.
  • Korosteleva, E. (2010). ‘’Moldova’s European Choice: ‘Between Two Stools’?’’ Europe-Asia Studies, 62(8), 1267–1289. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668136.2010.504383.
  • Lavenex, S, Schimmelfennig, F. (2009). ‘’EU rules beyond EU borders: theorizing external governance in European politics’’. Journal of European Public Policy, 16(6), 791–812. https://doi.org/10.1080/13501760903087696.
  • Martinaitis, Ž. (2018). European promises: policy options of Eastern partnership policy. European Promises: Policy Options of Eastern Partnership Policy, 8(2), 164–181. https://doi.org/10.1515/bjes-2018-0020.
  • Montesano, F. S., Van Der Togt, T., & Zweers, W. (2016). The Europeanisation of Moldova: Is the EU on the Right Track? Clingendael Report. Retrieved from http://www.clingendael.nl/.
  • Morari, C. (2016). ‘’EU Role in the Republic of Moldova European Integration Within Eastern Partnership’’. Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, CES Working Papers, ISSN 2067-7693, 8(3), 410–425.
  • Popescu, N. (2004). Europeanization and conflict resolution: a view from Moldova. In Journal on Ethnopolitics and Minority Issues in Europe, Special Focus 1, (Issue September, pp. 1–17).
  • Radaelli, C. M. (2000). ‘’Whither Europeanization? Concept stretching and substantive change’’. European Integration Online Papers, 4(4), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.302761.
  • Răileanu Szeles, M. (2021). Examining the foreign policy attitudes in Moldova. PloS One, 16(1), e0245322. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245322.
  • Sasse, G. (2008). The European Neighbourhood Policy: Conditionality Revisited for the EU’s Eastern Neighbours. Europe-Asia Studies, 60(2), 295–316. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668130701820150.
  • Schimmelfennig, F .(2005). ‘’The International Promotion of Political Norms in Eastern Europe: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis’’. In Jean Monnet/Robert Schuman Paper Series (Vol. 5, Issue 61).
  • Schimmelfennig, F. (2012). ‘’Europeanization beyond Europe. Living Reviews in European Governance’’. 4(3). https://doi.org/10.14629/lreg-2015-1.
  • Schimmelfennig, F, Scholtz, H (2010). ‘’Legacies and Leverage: EU Political Conditionality and Democracy Promotion in Historical Perspective’’. Europe-Asia Studies, 62(3), 443–460. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668131003647820.
  • Schimmelfennig, F, Sedelmeier, U. (2005). Introduction: conceptualizing the Europeanization of Central and Eastern Europe. In In F. Schimmelfennig & U. Sedelmeier (Eds.), Science and Public Policy, (Vol. 37, pp. 646–664). Cornell University Press.
  • Silitski, V. (2009). ‘’The EU’s Eastern Partnership Why It May Help Democracy Promotion and How the United States Can Help Move It Forward’’. Ponars Eurasia Policy Memo, 70, 1–5.
  • Van Seeters, M. (2010). European influences in Moldova, The role of the European Union on nation-building in Moldova. Radboud University, Nijmegen.
  • Visions, R. N., & Vardanean, E. (2018). Moldova between Russia and the West Internal Divisions behind the Commitment to European Integration, (August).
  • Wiśniewski, P. D. (2013). ‘’The Eastern Partnership It is High Time to Start a Real Partnership’’ Moscow: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 31.
There are 39 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language Turkish
Subjects Political Science
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Shideh Ghanbarı 0000-0002-7046-9133

Publication Date April 30, 2022
Published in Issue Year 2022 Volume: 4 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Ghanbarı, S. (2022). Moldova ve AB’nin Komşuluk Politikası: İnişli Çıkışlı Bir Ortaklık. Novus Orbis: Siyaset Bilimi Ve Uluslararası İlişkiler Dergisi, 4(1), 93-114.
AMA Ghanbarı S. Moldova ve AB’nin Komşuluk Politikası: İnişli Çıkışlı Bir Ortaklık. Novus Orbis. April 2022;4(1):93-114.
Chicago Ghanbarı, Shideh. “Moldova Ve AB’nin Komşuluk Politikası: İnişli Çıkışlı Bir Ortaklık”. Novus Orbis: Siyaset Bilimi Ve Uluslararası İlişkiler Dergisi 4, no. 1 (April 2022): 93-114.
EndNote Ghanbarı S (April 1, 2022) Moldova ve AB’nin Komşuluk Politikası: İnişli Çıkışlı Bir Ortaklık. Novus Orbis: Siyaset Bilimi ve Uluslararası İlişkiler Dergisi 4 1 93–114.
IEEE S. Ghanbarı, “Moldova ve AB’nin Komşuluk Politikası: İnişli Çıkışlı Bir Ortaklık”, Novus Orbis, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 93–114, 2022.
ISNAD Ghanbarı, Shideh. “Moldova Ve AB’nin Komşuluk Politikası: İnişli Çıkışlı Bir Ortaklık”. Novus Orbis: Siyaset Bilimi ve Uluslararası İlişkiler Dergisi 4/1 (April 2022), 93-114.
JAMA Ghanbarı S. Moldova ve AB’nin Komşuluk Politikası: İnişli Çıkışlı Bir Ortaklık. Novus Orbis. 2022;4:93–114.
MLA Ghanbarı, Shideh. “Moldova Ve AB’nin Komşuluk Politikası: İnişli Çıkışlı Bir Ortaklık”. Novus Orbis: Siyaset Bilimi Ve Uluslararası İlişkiler Dergisi, vol. 4, no. 1, 2022, pp. 93-114.
Vancouver Ghanbarı S. Moldova ve AB’nin Komşuluk Politikası: İnişli Çıkışlı Bir Ortaklık. Novus Orbis. 2022;4(1):93-114.