[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRESSIONAL MOLDOVA CAUCUS STATEMENT ON THE RIGA SUMMIT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2015

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself, the Honorable David E. 
Price, and the Congressional Moldova Caucus, the Republic of Moldova is 
a friend of the United States of America, and a partner country of the 
North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Like Ukraine and Georgia, Moldova 
is part of a strategically significant segment of Eastern Europe that 
looks toward Europe for a promising and prosperous future.
  The full integration of Moldova into the European Union is also in 
the strategic interest of the United States. As has been the case with 
other Eastern European nations that fully integrated into the European 
Union, integration will help Moldova develop new economic opportunities 
and contribute to the overall security and stability of the region.
  The Republic of Moldova signed an Association Agreement with the 
European Union in 2014 and is currently implementing its ambitious Free 
Trade Agreement (DCFTA). Moldova also reached a visa liberalization 
agreement with the EU.
  As the EU Summit in Riga convenes, we call on our allies in Europe to 
fully engage the Republic of Moldova and to chart out its bid for 
accession into the Union under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty. A 
failure to fully recognize the aspirations and legal rights of the 
Republic of Moldova in its application only stands to promote the false 
narrative that Moldova, along with Ukraine and Georgia, falls into an 
`exclusive sphere of Russian interests in Europe', and runs counter to 
the democratic values of the United States and Europe.
  Congress and the Obama Administration should continue to support the 
Republic of Moldova in its statecraft, economic and security 
capabilities. Progress demonstrated by the Republic of Moldova on a 
sustained path towards Western integration should be recognized. For 
example, despite Moldova's entering into an Association Agreement with 
the European Union, the Russian Federation continues to ban imports of 
Moldovan products, exert pressure on the Moldovan people, and 
disseminate propaganda to the Moldovan people. The Russian Federation 
continues to maintain a substantial military presence in Transnistria, 
in violation the Russian Federation's commitments at the Istanbul 
Summit. The Russian Federation continues to use this military 
presence--along with its fuel exports and intelligence assets within 
Moldovan territory--to continually destabilize the region.
  Smaller and more fragile states across the globe face increasing 
pressure, destabilization and aggression from larger, totalitarian 
governments. These states are susceptible to falling into `regional 
spheres of influence' without sustained, consolidated efforts of 
support by the world's democracies. Last Congress, the House and Senate 
both passed resolutions calling on the Obama Administration to support 
the Republic of Moldova's capabilities in reforming its judicial 
sector, fighting corruption, and reforming economic markets. In 
addition to continuing in these important reforms, we urge the Obama 
Administration to work in bilateral and multilateral forums to monitor 
human rights abuses in the region and help advance U.S. investment in 
Moldova's energy markets to lessen its dependence on Russian sources. 
We are struck by the Moldovan people's demonstrated commitments to free 
markets, democracy, and the rule of law. The United States must 
continue to serve as a leader in the community of Western nations by 
supporting the people of Moldova in their commitment toward 
integration.

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