Tudor Ulianovschi on negotiations with the EU: I would not allow local producers to be disadvantaged in favor of large foreign corporations
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Tudor Ulianovschi raises an alarm about how the government in Chisinau positions itself in the context of negotiations with the EU. The cited source notes flexibility and a clear lack of assertiveness on the part of the government. Despite declaring himself a convinced pro-European, the diplomat believes that Moldova must be firm in the negotiation process and obtain as many advantages as possible for local companies, at the expense of multinational corporations that are expanding worldwide at breakneck speed.
"I have a much more pragmatic vision regarding negotiations with the EU; I would not allow local producers to be disadvantaged in favor of large foreign corporations or the economic interests of other countries. The WTO has taught me to understand how major international players fight to protect their own economic and trade interests, and has made me believe that the economy is neither politics nor diplomacy, and a small country like the Republic of Moldova can only assert itself on the world stage through smart foreign policy and solid negotiations that bring benefits to national interests. In the context of insecurity in the region, it was long overdue to see a firm and more assertive foreign policy globally, not just regionally at the level of the European Union," said for editiadedimineata.ro Tudor Ulianovschi.
When asked "why there are not enough foreign direct investments attracted to the country's economy," Ulianovschi speaks about the increased level of unprofessionalism in the management of some key ministries, stating that when some potential foreign investors still come to Chisinau despite the regional security risks, the Government does not present them with any feasibility studies or elaborate business plans from specialized state agencies because it does not possess them and does not anticipate how it could convince foreign investors to invest in the economic climate of the Republic of Moldova.
The former head of diplomacy in Chisinau cites as an example the lack of governmental follow-up after the visit to Chisinau of a delegation of businessmen from the United States in September 2022 at the initiative of the Business Association for Central and Eastern Europe from Washington. According to him, they intended to invest in areas such as infrastructure, IT, renewable energy, health, etc.
"Unfortunately, none of the 12 companies managed to invest in the Republic of Moldova, including the company where I have been working for the last five years, which failed to enter the market of the Republic of Moldova for various reasons," he added.
Tudor Ulianovschi is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Renewable Energy Association, a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association, as well as a member of the American Business Association with Central and Eastern European States. Since 2019, he has been the Vice President of the Canadian company "Grasshopper Energy" in the field of green energy and Vice President of the "2050" Fund for sustainable infrastructure. He collaborates with various investment funds and financial structures.
