Moldova, Republic General Information Area: 33,800 sq km (13,050 sq miles). Population: 4,380,000 (official estimate 1999). Population Density: 129.6 per sq km. Capital: Chisinau (Kishinev). Population: 667,100 (1992). GEOGRAPHY: Moldova is a small landlocked state in southeastern Europe – one of the most highly populated republics of the former USSR. To the north, east and south Moldova, is bound by Ukraine; to the west by Romania. The River Prut constitutes the border with Romania. The country has rich pastures and wooded slopes, ideal for wine-growing. Government: Republic since 1991. Gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Head of State: President Vladimir Voronin since 2001. Head of Government: Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev since 2001. Language: The Constitution of 1994 described the official language as ‘Moldovan’ although it is considered to be virtually identical to Romanian. In 1940, after Soviet annexation, the Cyrillic script was introduced and was referred to as Moldavian up until 1989 when the Latin alphabet was reintroduced. Russian is still the most widely spoken language. The ethnic and linguistic make-up of Moldova is as follows: Moldovans 64.5 per cent, Ukrainians 13.8 per cent, Russians 13.0 per cent, Gagauz 3.5 per cent, Bulgarians 1.5 per cent, others 3.7 per cent. Religion: Mostly Eastern Orthodox Christian and other Christian denominations. A small amount of the population are Jewish. There are more than 850 churches, 11 Christian Orthodox monasteries, two Armenian churches and more than 60 churches of the Seventh Day Adventists. There is one synagogue (in Chisinau). Time: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Telephone IDD is available to major towns. Country code: 373. For outgoing international calls: dial 8, wait for tone, then dial 10 and the country code. There are two types of payphone: Soviet ones (taking tokens) and modern ones (taking cards). Mobile telephone GSM 900 networks in use. Roaming agreements in operation. Coverage extends over the central area of the country. Network operators include Voxtel (website: www.voxtel.md) and Moldcell (website: www.moldcell.md). Internet ISPs include Relsoft (website: www.mldnet.com) and Moldovan ISP Alliance (website: www.ournet.md). Post All mail to and from Moldova is subject to long delays, sometimes up to six weeks. Letters should be sent recorded delivery to avoid loss. The postal and telecommunication systems are being modernised. The main post office is at 73 Stefan cel Mare, 277012 Chisinau. Post office hours: Mon-Sun 0900-2000. There are express mail services in Chisinau. Press The press is generally uncensored. There are more than a dozen daily newspapers in Moldova, the most popular being Moldova Suveraná published in Romanian. Other main papers include Nezavisimaia Moldova (published in Russian), Viat Satului (weekly), Tara, Dnestrovskaya Prada and Turdovoi Tiraspol. English-language publications can sometimes be found at major hotels in Chisinau. Western press deliveries are erratic. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 17.64 12.10 9.410 6.195 Services in Romanian, Russian and English are also available on 68.48MHz (0600-0800 and 1800-2200 local time). Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 15.21 11.82 9.760 1.197 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes Yes No Australian Yes Yes No Canadian Yes Yes No USA Yes Yes No OtherEU Yes Yes No Japanese Yes Yes No PASSPORTS: Passport valid for six months from date of arrival required by all. VISAS: Required by all except the following: (a) nationals of CIS (except nationals of Turkmenistan who do require a visa), Poland and Romania; (b) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within four hours provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. Types of visa and cost: Tourist: US$40 (single-entry, one month); US$50 (double-entry, one month). Business/Ordinary: US$40 (single-entry, one month); US$50 (double-entry, one month); US$70 (multiple-entry, one month); US$100(multiple-entry, two months); US$120 (multiple-entry, three months); US$160 (multiple-entry, six months); US$200 (multiple-entry, 12 months). Transit: US$20 (one-way); US$40 (double). Note: Payments must be made in Euros or US Dollars in accordance with the exchange rate of the US Dollar at the date of issue. Validity: Tourist: One month from date of issue. Business/Ordinary: One to 12 months from date of issue, depending on type of visa. The permitted length of stay (usually no more than three months) is individually specified for each visit. Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) Application form. (c) One passport-size photo. (d) Fee. (e) For postal applications, (a) and (b) should be submitted no later than ten days before departure; a receipt of the payment transfer, an additional US$15 (for postage and telephone charges) and a self-addressed return envelope should also be submitted. Tourism: (a)-(e) and, (f) Confirmation of the booked trip from the travel agency. Business: (a)-(e) and, (f) An invitation from the organisation or company, written on headed paper and signed by the head of the organisation. The invitation must be endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moldova. Private visits: (a)-(e) and, (f) An invitation from a Moldovan citizen, written on a special Interior Ministry form. Note: (a) Nationals of EU countries, USA, Canada and Japan do not need an invitation except for stays of six months or longer. (b) All foreign visitors must register with the police within three days of arrival. Working days required: Normally three days (same day for urgent visas with surcharge of 50 per cent of visa price). Temporary residence: Apply to the Foreign Ministry in Moldova. Money Currency: Leu (MDL) = 100 bani. Notes are in denominations of MDL500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 bani. Currency exchange: Foreign currencies can be exchanged in hotels or bureaux de change. Moldova is essentially a cash-only economy. There are three ATMs in Chisinau where local currency can be withdrawn using Visa cards. Credit & debit cards: Credit cards are only accepted by a few banks. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Travellers cheques: Travellers cheques are not generally accepted, though a few banks may exchange them. Currency restrictions: The import of local and foreign currency is unlimited. The export of local currency is unlimited. The export of foreign currency is limited to amount imported. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Moldovan Leu against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date May ’02 Aug ’02 Nov ’02 Feb ’03 £1.00= 19.66 20.68 22.08 22.61 $1.00= 13.49 13.60 13.96 14.20 Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1730. Duty Free The following goods may be imported into Moldova by persons of 18 years of age or older without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes; 1l of spirits and 1l of wine; a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use. Public Holidays Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Jan 7-8 Moldovan Christmas. Mar 8 International Women’s Day. Apr 28 Easter Monday (Orthodox). May 1 Labour Day. May 9 Victory and Commemoration Day. Aug 27 Independence Day. Aug 31 Limba Noastra (National Language Day). Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Jan 7-8 Moldovan Christmas. Mar 8 International Women’s Day. Apr 12 Easter Monday (Orthodox). May 1 Labour Day. May 9 Victory and Commemoration Day. Aug 27 Independence Day. Aug 31 Limba Noastra (National Language Day). Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever No No Cholera Yes No Typhoid and Polio 1 N/A Malaria No N/A 1: Immunisation against typhoid is sometimes recommended. Food & drink: Mains water is normally chlorinated but bottled water is available and advised. Local meat, poultry, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat. Other risks: There is a small risk of hepatitis A in rural areas. Cases of diphtheria have also been reported. Rabies is present and casual exposure to stray dogs is common throughout Chisinau. Vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix. Health care: A number of large medical institutions operate in Chisinau, including the Republican Clinical Hospital. Elderly travellers and those with existing health problems may be at risk owing to inadequate medical facilities. There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK for urgent medical treatment. Otherwise, all services and prescriptions are charged for and doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment; medical insurance is strongly recommended. Note: Travellers staying longer than three months may be required to produce proof of HIV-negative status. Travel - International Note: Foreign travellers should not visit Tradniestria in the north-east of the country unless on essential business, owing to the current political climate. For further information, consult a government travel advice department. AIR: Moldova’s national airlines are Air Moldova (9U) and Air Moldova International (RM). Moldovian Airlines, Transaero (Russian airline), Tarom (Romania’s national airline) and Tyrolean Airlines fly regularly to Moldova. There are also charter airlines operating between Chisinau and some major destinations in the CIS, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, the Netherlands, Romania and Turkey. Approximate flight times: From London to Chisinau is approximately 7 hours, with a stopover in Moscow. From Moscow to Chisinau is 2 hours, from Kiev is 1 hour 30 minutes and from St Petersburg is 3 hours. International airports: Chisinau International (KIV) is 14.5km (9 miles) from the city centre (travel time – 15-25 minutes). There is a regular bus service to the city. Taxis are also available. Moldova-Tur offers a courtesy pick-up by prior arrangement (see Contact Addresses section). Facilities include bank, post office, left-luggage and duty-free shops. Departure tax: None. RAIL: There are daily train services between Chisinau and Moscow, Russian Federation (travel time – 22 hours), Odessa, Ukraine (travel time – 5 hours) and Bucharest, Romania (travel time – 13 hours). Other, less frequent, destinations include St Petersburg and Minsk (Belarus). ROAD: Moldova can be entered from Ukraine (although the self-proclaimed ‘Republic of Transdniestria’ area around Tiraspol should be avoided at present) and also from Romania via the border crossing at Leusheni, Sculeni and Giurgiulesti. From Chisinau to Odessa is 183km (114 miles). Travel - Internal RAIL: There is over 1145km (715 miles) of railway track in use in Moldova. Trains run daily to Ocnita, Tighina and Ungheni, and there are connections to most areas of the country. For more details, contact the information service of Moldova Railways (tel: (2) 252 737; fax: (2) 252 735). ROAD: The road network covers 13,622km (8500 miles). Bus: These run between most of the larger towns and cities. For further information, contact either Chisinau Main Bus Station (tel: (2) 542 185) or South East Bus Station (tel: (2) 723 983). Taxi: These can be found everywhere. Fares should be negotiated in advance, though drivers prefer to charge per hour. Taxis are requested by calling 900 or 905-8. Car hire: Self-drive cars can be obtained for self-drive or with an English-speaking driver. Avis car hire is represented in Chisinau. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required. URBAN: Buses, trolleybuses and minibuses are cheap but notoriously crowded and unreliable. They all operate from 0500-2400 with services every 15 minutes. Tickets for buses and trolleybuses can be purchased from kiosks or on board the vehicle. Minibus tickets are bought from the driver. Accommodation HOTELS: There is a small selection of hotels in the capital Chisinau, most of which are located close to the railway station and in the city centre. There are some low-grade hotels in other towns. Grading: From 1-star (basic facilities) to 4-stars (larger capacity and greater facilities of a higher standard). Introduction CHISINAU: The Moldovan capital of Chisinau (formerly Kishinev) stands on the banks of the small River Byk. The city was founded around 1470 and the history and life of Moldova through the centuries is best presented in the History and Regional Lore Museum, a beautiful Turkish-style complex. The Fine Arts Museum houses good examples of Russian, West European and Moldovan paintings, sculpture and applied arts. The Pushkin House is the place where the great Russian poet spent his days in exile between 1820-23. The museum is famous as the place where Pushkin began working on his epic poem Eugene Onegin. There are also two old cemeteries in Chisinau, the Armenian Cemetery and the Jewish Cemetery. The latter is famous as the burial place for the victims of the Chisinau Pogrom in 1903; in the 1960s, the lower part of the cemetery was deliberately razed by the authorities. Owing to massive Jewish emigration from Moldova during the 1980s and beginning of the 1990s, the state of the cemetery has significantly deteriorated. The only working synagogue in Chisinau is situated not far from the city centre, on Habad-Liubavici str. The former Chisinau Choral Synagogue today houses the Chekhov Drama Theatre. The Monument of Stefan cel Mare (Stefan the Great) is situated at the entrance to the well-tended Pushkin Park. He was Moldova’s Gospodar (ruler) between 1457-1504 during a time of brief independence, thus securing him a special place in Moldova’s history. The monument by the sculptor Plamadeala was unveiled in 1927. In 1990-91, the monument was the focal point of meetings and violent clashes between Moldova’s Nationalists and pro-Soviet supporters. Just outside the park is an impressive building housing the largest cinema Patria (Fatherland) which was built in 1947 by German POWs. Picturesque bathing beaches line the man-made Chisinau Lake (formerly Komsomol Lake). Boats can also be hired. There are two parts to the complex: the Exhibition of Achievements and the open-air Green Theatre with a seating capacity of 7000. ELSEWHERE: Situated 70km (44 miles) from Chisinau is Tiraspol, founded in 1792 on the then Russian border. It now has a population of 200,000 and is one of the main industrial centres of the country. It is also the capital of the self-proclaimed Transdniestria and travellers are advised to avoid it owing to the unstable political situation. Benderi (Tighina) is one of the oldest towns in Moldova. Its beautiful 17th-century fortress, as well as the town itself, were seriously damaged during the recent fighting. Bãlti, 150km (94 miles) north of the capital is a major industrial centre. The main products from this area are sugar, vegetable oils and fur coats. Approximately 160km (100 miles) south of Chisinau is Cahul. The town is famous for its thermal spas and mud treatments and there is a small hotel in the town. There is also a good local theatre. Hirjauca is also a renowned spa in the area. Moldova is a wine-growing country and the vineyards and wine-cellars of Mileshti and Krikova-Veki are famous throughout the region. Sport & Activities As Moldova’s infrastructure is not very developed, there are not yet many opportunities for tourists and travellers to pursue different activities. However, tours of vineyards are popular, and Moldovan wine has a very good reputation; see Resorts and Excursions section for further information. Social Profile Food & Drink: There are plenty of small restaurants and coffee shops. The service tends to be slow, but the cuisine is delicious. Local specialities include mititeyi (small grilled sausages with onion and pepper) and mamaliga (thick, sticky maize pie) which is served with brinza (feta cheese). Tocana (pork stew) should be tried with sweet-and-sour watermelons and apples. There are more than 100 varieties of excellent wines produced in Moldova. White wines include Riesling, Aligote and Sauvignon. Moldovan Cabernet and Bordeaux are noteworthy reds. Nistru or Doina brandy is an ideal accompaniment with desserts. Nightlife: In Chisinau, there is a good selection of theatres and concerts halls, which includes an opera house. The Eminescu Music and Drama Theatre specialises in Romanian productions, as does the Youth Theatre Luceafarul (Poetic Star). All performances in the Chekhov Drama Theatre are exclusively in Russian (the building used to be the Chisinau Choral Synagogue). The Philharmonia Concert Hall houses Moldova’s Symphony Orchestra. It is also the base for the folklore Doina Choir, the internationally renowned Zhok National Dance Ensemble and the Fluerash Orchestra of National Music. Russian and Romanian productions can be seen in the puppet theatre Licurici (Glow-worm). Shopping: Good buys are the vividly coloured costumes, handmade carpets and locally produced wines and brandies. The main open-air market or tolchok is on Calea Mosilor, about ten minutes’ drive away from central Chisinau. Although crowded, it sells everything and is a good place for bargains. Shopping hours: Larger shops open 0800-2000; all others open 0900-1700. Social Conventions: Dress should be casual but conservative. For official engagements, men should wear a jacket and tie. The country is famous for its tradition of folk arts and there are many lively musical groups (Tarafs), which play a variety of rare folk instruments including the tsambal (not unlike a dulcimer), cimpoi (bagpipe), fluier and nai. Tipping: Five to ten per cent will be gladly accepted. Business Profile Economy: Moldova’s economy is dominated by agriculture, food processing and related industries which account for over half of total output. The land is very fertile: some 85 per cent is cultivated. The republic was the largest wine-growing region in the former Soviet Union and this is still a major source of revenue. It also grows fruit, vegetables, tobacco and grain, and produces dairy and meat products in large quantities. Other than food and drink processing, Moldova’s industrial sector is dominated by metals and machinery, textiles and footwear. The once thriving electronics industry has declined due to the dissolution and/or contraction of its major clients in the Russian space and defence sector. Under the Soviet system of economic planning, Moldova exported much of its output to other Soviet republics in exchange for raw materials and fuel products. The demise of the Soviet system triggered a major collapse which saw Moldovan economic output decline by 15 per cent annually during the early 1990s. This catastrophic decline has been arrested but, there are few signs of economic growth, and Moldova is now one of the poorest countries in an already impoverished region. In 1992, Moldova joined the IMF, World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as a ‘Country of Operation’. Some aid from the European Union has also been forthcoming in specific areas such as customs and border control but, in general, relations between the two are distant: several dozen other countries are already in the queue to join the EU. After an uncertain start, a reform programme got under way in Moldova and by 1999 much of the economy had been privatised and deregulated. However, the IMF and World Bank then cut off financial support when the Government refused to sell off the key tobacco and wine industries. The following year brought a change in policy and in 2001, Moldova was able to open negotiations with the EBRD and World Bank over financing for the next phase of the country’s economic development. In May that year, Moldova also acquired membership of the World Trade Organization. The national currency, the Leu, introduced in November 1993, has been reasonably stable, bar the knock-on effects of the 1998 Russian financial crisis. Russia remains Moldova’s largest trading partner, followed by the Ukraine, Romania, Germany and Belarus. Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova, 28 Eminescu, 2012 Chisinau (tel: (2) 221 552; fax: (2) 241 453; e-mail: president@chamber.md; website: www.chamber.md); or The Moldova Stock Exchange, 73 Stefan cel Mare blvd, Room 352, Chisinau, MS 2001 (tel: (2) 277 594; fax: (2) 277 358; website: www.moldse.md). Climate Very mild and pleasant. Temperate with warm summers 20-23°C (68-73°F), crisp, sunny autumns and cold, sometimes snowy, winters. Required clothing: Mediumweights, heavy topcoat and overshoes for winter; lightweights for summer. A light raincoat is useful. History and Government History: Moldova’s Latin influence arises from its position on the fringes of the Roman Empire between AD 105 and 270. Over the next thousand years, the region variously came under the control of Huns, Ostrogoths, Magyars and Mongols. The Hungarians were in occupation when in 1349, Prince Bogdan established an independent principality (hence its original name of Bogdania before its present title, taken from the Moldova River in modern-day Romania). In 1512, the Ottomans moved in and more or less kept hold of the territory for the next three centuries. As an imperial border state (once again) Moldova was subject to frequent incursions by neighbouring powers, mainly the Russians who finally took over Moldova in 1792 under the terms of the treaty of Iasi. By 1861, Moldova had assumed its present form, including the sliver of land, known as Transdnistria, to the east of the Dniester River and stretching east as far as the Romanian border (the territory went through more divisions, reallocations and occupation in the period up to 1945). The decision to ally with one or other of its two more powerful neighbours – Russia and Romania – dominated Moldovan politics during the 20th century. Moldova next experienced a period of independence in 1918, in the course of the Russian Revolution, and then voted to become part of Romania. However, the Soviet Union objected and brought it within the Soviet orbit. It was then occupied by Soviet forces in 1940 under the terms of the Nazi-Soviet Pact. The German invasion of the Soviet Union put Moldova back under Nazi control; a brief period of unification with Romania followed before the Red Army overran it in 1944. The Moscow government pursued a policy of attempting to detach Moldova – which was now confirmed as one of the 15 constituent republics of the Soviet Union – from its Romanian roots. This policy was pursued with notable vigour by Leonid Brezhnev, the Communist party leader in Moldova in the early 1950s, who later rose to become leader of the Soviet Union from 1964 until 1982. Gorbachev’s reform programme reversed the suppression of national characteristics within the Soviet Union, and by the late 1980s Romanian was in common and official use in Moldova. Along with the other peripheral Soviet republics, Moldova started to move towards independence from 1991 onwards. At the end of that year, an ex-communist reformer, Mircea Snegur, won an election for the presidency. Four months later, the country achieved formal recognition as an independent state at the United Nations. Backed by the country’s principal political party, the Communist Party of Moldova (PCRM), Snegur remained in office until the end of 1996, when he lost the presidential election to Petru Lusinchi, backed by the PCRM’s main opponent at the time, the Agrarian Democratic Party. An agreement was forged amongst all the main parties opposed to the PCRM to unite around a single candidate for the presidency and to form a coalition in the Parlamentul (parliament). Thus in 1998, a three-party coalition took control of the government with the PCRM as the principal opposition. However, in 2001, the PCRM recovered control of both the assembly, in which it now enjoys a substantial majority, and the presidency. Vladimir Voronin is the new President, and Vasile Tarlev the Prime Minister. Since independence, Moldovan politics have been dominated by the friction between the Transdnistria region, a small sliver of land lying to the east of the Dniester River and mainly populated by ethnic Russians, and the rest of the country which is ethnically Romanian. Attached to Moldova by Stalinist social engineering, Transdnistria remains essential to Moldova largely for economic reasons. Immediately after independence, the new Moldovan government accepted a status quo under which Transdinstria functioned as an autonomous region. Ignored by the central government and functioning in virtual limbo, the Transdnistrian administration found the going hard. The latest attempt to resolve the situation came in July 2002 after international mediation: a proposal for a new federal system under which Transdnistria and the predominantly Turkic area of Gagauz would enjoy separate constitutional arrangements under a federal system. None of the parties are happy with the plan and negotiations continue, but the Russians, who are in the process of withdrawing the troop contingent that has remained in Moldova since independence, clearly want a final settlement. The main priority for the government, meanwhile, is the state of the economy. Relations with the IMF and the World Bank have been difficult and the country seems set to remain among the poorest in Europe for the time being. (see Economy section). Government: Under the 1994 constitution, the president, who is head of state, is directly elected and holds executive power along with the Council of Ministers who are appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister. Legislative power is vested in the 101-member Parlamentul which is elected for a four-year term by proportional representation. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.