Tacis Project Support to PCA WTO implementation and

Tacis Project “Support to PCA, WTO implementation and to the EU-Moldova European Neighborhood Policy Action Plan (ENPAP)”

Moldova has committed itself to three major reforms resulting from: its accession to WTO (May 2001), n adoption of the EG PRSP (Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (June 2004)) n approval of the EU-Moldova Action Plan (February 2005). n

EU-Moldova Action Plan paves the way to moving from co-operation with EU to a significant degree of integration, including through a stake in EU’s Internal Market n WTO is about access to the world of international trade n EGPRSP’s ambition is to reduce drastically poverty through macroeconomic, social and structural adjustments n

Donors’ support for the implementation of the three major Moldovan initiatives: Government and Donor Coordination and Harmonization Development Partnership Framework - May 2006 n Key principles of cooperation: - delivery of assistance according to Moldova’s needs and priorities - working with Government to address institutional capacities and other constrains - avoidance of overlapping in donors’ assistance - sharing of information between the Government and the donors, etc n

EC assistance for the implementation of the ENPAP, PCA and WTO – Euro 3, 9 mln for 30 months: “Support to PCA, WTO implementation and to the EU-Moldova European Neighborhood Policy Action Plan (ENPAP)”

Objectives Overall: Moldova’s approximation towards the EU and its integration in the world economy. Specific: To support the Government in: n n Fulfilling the PCA and EU-MD AP provisions Realising its rights and obligations as a WTO member

ENPAP Trade Related Priorities n n n Movement of goods Export promotion Customs issues Standards, technical regulation and conformity assessment procedures Elimination of restriction and streamlined administration in the non-harmonized areas Sanitary and phyto-sanitary issues Movement of services and capital (related to FDI) Intellectual and industrial property rights, etc.

Project specific objectives are to support the Mo. ET in three main directions: n n n Advice on better understanding and implementation of obligations and rights as a WTO member Advice on Moldova’s negotiating position vis-à-vis the WTO accession negotiations of Russia and Ukraine and other CIS countries Advice on Moldova’s negotiating position in the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) negotiations

Activities: n n n Assisting in activating the Enquiry points set up in different line ministries under the WTO Agreements and renewal of the notification system; Enhancing the capacity of the Trade Council Contributing to the elaboration of Moldova Country Profile and later on assisting with the Trade Policy Review

Activities: n n n Assisting the Republic of Moldova in accession to the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement Strengthening the capacities on understanding and using the WTO dispute settlement mechanism. Assisting the Government in aligning its national legislation with the provisions of WTO Agreements and other international conventions to which the Republic of Moldova is a signatory Party.

Activities: n n Advising the Moldovan Government on its position within the accession negotiations to the WTO of the CIS countries, namely Russian Federation and Ukraine. Advising Moldova on its negotiation position in the DDA negotiations

The roadmap Stage 1: Assess, Design Stage 2: Assist System basis development Effective Approximation System, Skills & Plan Stage 3: Empowerment 2006 2007 Continuous support to Trade & WTO negotiations We are here 2008 Effective Negotiation System, Skills & Platform