The impact of European Neighbourhood Policy upon economic security of countries in conditions of systemic transformationsCase of Republic of Moldova

Resumo

The idea of writing the thesis on this topic starts from the fact that the economic security concept in Moldova requires more recognition within European vision of security. Likewise, the urgent necessity for Moldova to clearly establish its policy vector towards external cooperation was generated by a delayed and difficult process of transition from the command to market economy and still remains as an important issue on National Agenda. Thereby, three variables reflect the topic's actuality: security that still has a powerful resonance in contemporary security studies but mostly as a result of the intensifications of inter-state and non-state actors' relations; systemic transformations to that there is no end remaining as a continuous process; foreign policy that exists since countries and nations interact and interests' accomplishment occur as a result of peaceful cooperation. In fact, this work focuses on the European Union - Republic of Moldova cooperation in order to explore the effectiveness of the European Neighborhood Policy economic dimension in contrast to the level of economic security typologies that Moldova has reached under the deep systemic transformations. On the other hand, during the analysis we will observe that, a lot has to be done. Republic of Moldova is still at the stage of gaining trust from prospective strategic partners. And, at a certain extent an assertion with finality whether: Is the European Neighborhood Policy the best foreign policy opportunity for Moldova or not?; we consider is still early. Nevertheless, what has been done until now is quite enough to express our critics and conclusions. Thesis topic is concentrated in four chapters where besides the theoretical approach to security, neighborhood policy and systemic transformation, it is mainly examined how far the European Union has developed cooperative foreign and security policies (the economic aspect) towards its immediate neighborhood (towards Moldova). Overall, the European Neighborhood Policy has a positive impact upon economic security of Moldova. Namely, after the Lisbon Treaty, the sequential character brings many benefits for the economy of Moldova. Albeit, so far, the European Neighborhood Policy remains to be the most prospective vector for Moldovan external relations, we still delimitate some asymmetries between foreign and domestic policies. In the end, we believe that the thesis is one more contribution among works dedicated to the domestic and external economic policy of Republic of Moldova. Respectively, it can be considered a point of reference for the prospective analysis of security options and vectors of Republic of Moldova integration in international relations.