| | In 1995, the country became the first former Soviet republic admitted to the Council of Europe. In addition to its membership in [[NATO]]'s Partnership for Peace, Moldova also belongs to the United Nations, the [[OSCE]], the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, the [[International Monetary Fund]], the [[World Bank]], and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Moldova is a member of the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO). | | In 1995, the country became the first former Soviet republic admitted to the Council of Europe. In addition to its membership in [[NATO]]'s Partnership for Peace, Moldova also belongs to the United Nations, the [[OSCE]], the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, the [[International Monetary Fund]], the [[World Bank]], and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Moldova is a member of the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO). |
| | + | President Voronin's first term was marked by up and down relations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. Politically, the government was committed to the reduction of poverty by allocating more resources to social safety net items such as health, education, and increasing pensions and salaries. Voronin proceeded with former President Lucinschi's plans to privatize several important state-owned industries and even on occasion broke with his own party over important issues. Under President Voronin, relations with the United States have remained strong. From January to April 2002, large demonstrations took place in opposition to several controversial government proposals, including expanded use of the Russian language in schools and its designation as an official language. While the demonstrations were sometimes tense, the government did not use force and ultimately agreed to Council of Europe (CoE) mediation. |
| | In 2005, the European Union appointed a Special Representative for Moldova and the negotiations to resolve the Transnistrian conflict and the Delegation of the European Commission opened an office in Chisinau, In December 2005, Moldova welcomed an EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) along its Ukrainian border to crack down on smuggling, strengthen customs procedures and facilitate cross-border cooperation. In accordance with a 2005 Action Plan with the EU, Moldova has begun to harmonize Moldova's laws with those of the EU. As part of this, in late 2005, Moldova enacted its "Guillotine" laws, which slashed unnecessary business regulations, established a framework for relations between the private sector and government and created a mechanism to review the suitability of draft legislation. | | In 2005, the European Union appointed a Special Representative for Moldova and the negotiations to resolve the Transnistrian conflict and the Delegation of the European Commission opened an office in Chisinau, In December 2005, Moldova welcomed an EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) along its Ukrainian border to crack down on smuggling, strengthen customs procedures and facilitate cross-border cooperation. In accordance with a 2005 Action Plan with the EU, Moldova has begun to harmonize Moldova's laws with those of the EU. As part of this, in late 2005, Moldova enacted its "Guillotine" laws, which slashed unnecessary business regulations, established a framework for relations between the private sector and government and created a mechanism to review the suitability of draft legislation. |