The dissertation is devoted to the analysis of relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova in 1991-2014. The purpose of the research is to find out the content and nature of the processes of formation and development of the main directions of bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova in the period from 1991 to 2014.
The relevance of the research topic is due to the common European integration course of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. The domination of the European values and orientations in Ukraine and Moldova corresponds to their state and national interests, there is no alternative for them.
In the research it was found that the main forms of cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova were agreements, meetings at all levels, common initiatives, bilateral trade, investments, gas supply from the territory of Ukraine, active inter-ethnic dialogue, student exchange, etc. It was clarified that cooperation between Ukraine and Moldova during 1991-2014 became a strategic partnership in the context of European integration, which follows from the contents of bilateral documents, agreements and protocols.
It was clarified that all controversial issues of a political and economic nature that arose between states for a certain period, Ukraine and Moldova decided on a mutually beneficial basis. Without a doubt, the success of bilateral relations between Ukraine and Moldova, it should be noted that as of 2014, some controversial issues on which the parties are actively working are still unresolved. Despite this, an example of reconciliation of controversial issues between Ukraine and Moldova is positive.
It became clear that Ukraine actively participated in the process of settling the Transnistrian conflict from its very beginning, emphasizing at all stages its principled position: peaceful settlement of the conflict, restoration of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, granting Transnistria a special status within the framework of a single state of the Republic of Moldova. The unresolved status of the Transnistrian conflict makes Transnistria a «gray zone» and poses a real threat to the national interests of Ukraine. According to results of the comparative analysis of the Transnistrian conflict and the conflict in the Donbass, common and distinctive features in their deployment and course have been established, which indicate an active Russian participation.
An analysis of the state of cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova in the framework of Euro-Atlantic integration has shown that despite the fluctuation of their foreign policy courses in separate periods, the deepening of the interaction of both states with the EU and NATO has become a dominant trend and matches their interests the best. Active cooperation within the framework of EU-NATO initiatives and programs is the key to continuing key reforms in Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, stabilizing domestic policy, resolving conflicts and overcoming separatist phenomena in their territories, and restoring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the two countries.
It was clarified that cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova in the integration associations of the post-Soviet area in 1991-2014 took place mainly in the framework of the CIS and GUAM. The content of cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova within the framework of the CIS consisted primarily of promoting economic cooperation, especially the idea of a common economic space. Not wanting to give the CIS suprastate signs and striving to pursue an independent domestic and foreign policy, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova did not join Russia's political, military and information initiatives within the framework of the CIS, as well as other integration forms of pro-Russian movement, in particular, the EAEU. It is noted that Ukraine and Moldova, having realized the ineffectiveness of economic cooperation within the CIS, initiated the formation of GUAM. The GUAM was organized by the former Soviet republics, which advocated the establishment of democratic values in the post-Soviet space.
In the research it was found that cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova within the framework of various integration associations is of a supporting nature, as the main form of Ukrainian-Moldovan cooperation remains the format of bilateral relations.
