[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 683 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 683

Recognizing the recent accomplishments of the people and Government of 
 Moldova and expressing support for free and transparent parliamentary 
                    elections on November 28, 2010.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 18, 2010

   Mr. Kerry (for himself, Mr. Lugar, and Mrs. Hagan) submitted the 
        following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the recent accomplishments of the people and Government of 
 Moldova and expressing support for free and transparent parliamentary 
                    elections on November 28, 2010.

Whereas, since independence 19 years ago, the people of Moldova have made 
        extraordinary progress in transitioning from authoritarian government 
        and a closed market to a democratic government and market economy;
Whereas, for 19 years, the constitution of Moldova has guaranteed its citizens 
        freedom to emigrate confirmed by years of successive Presidential 
        waivers concerning the Jackson-Vanik amendment;
Whereas, on January 12, 2010, the Government of Moldova initiated negotiations 
        with the European Union on an Association Agreement between the European 
        Union and the Republic of Moldova, an important step towards European 
        Union accession;
Whereas, in order to comply with the criteria of the Millennium Challenge 
        Corporation (MCC), the Government of Moldova implemented far-reaching 
        legal reforms to curb corruption, introduce budgetary transparency, and 
        strengthen the capacity of civil society and the media, resulting in the 
        successful conclusion of negotiations and the signing of an MCC Compact 
        on January 22, 2010;
Whereas the Government of Moldova initiated a visa dialogue between the Republic 
        of Moldova and the European Union aiming at visa liberalization on June 
        15, 2010;
Whereas, on August 26, 2010, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised progress 
        in Moldova in ``advancing transparent governance, human rights, and 
        economic reform'';
Whereas, on October 20, 2010, Reporters Without Borders reported an improvement 
        in the freedom of press in Moldova, with Moldova rising from the 114th 
        position in 2009 to the 75th position in 2010;
Whereas, in November 2010, the Government of Moldova concluded a treaty with 
        Romania important to the assertion of its sovereignty and its future 
        development;
Whereas Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip H. 
        Gordon noted in testimony before the Subcommittee on Europe of the 
        Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives on June 16, 
        2009, ``We will continue to work for a negotiated settlement of the 
        separatist conflict in the Transnistria region that provides for a whole 
        and democratic Moldova and the withdrawal of Russian forces.''; and
Whereas the Republic of Moldova has made commitments to the Organization for 
        Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to conduct elections according 
        to international standards: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the development of an enduring democratic 
        political system and free market economy in Moldova and a 
        parliamentary election process on November 28, 2010, that 
        comports with international standards of fairness and 
        transparency;
            (2) recognizes that the commitment of the Government of 
        Moldova to economic and political reforms since 2009 has 
        resulted in tangible progress towards integration into European 
        institutions;
            (3) acknowledges that continued reform and commitment to a 
        free and fair election process will remain necessary for 
        Moldova's full integration into the Western community of 
        nations;
            (4) notes that continued reforms in Moldova could provide 
        for an additional basis for the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik 
        trade restrictions;
            (5) encourages ongoing negotiations between the European 
        Union and the Republic of Moldova concerning visa 
        liberalization and an Association Agreement;
            (6) urges fulfillment by the Government of Moldova of 
        commitments it has made to the OSCE with respect to the free 
        and fair conduct of its upcoming parliamentary elections; and
            (7) expresses the belief that the free and fair conduct of 
        parliamentary elections in Moldova will contribute to a strong 
        and stable government that is responsive to the vital needs of 
        its people.
                                 <all>