The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) announced today a briefing “Moldova: The Growing Pains of Democracy” on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 2:00 pm at 2200 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC.

Prolonged political stalemate in Moldova raises questions about the country’s ability to stay the course of reform despite the lack of immediate and gratifying results. At the same time, December’s election of Yevgeny Shevchuk – a new and younger face in Transnistria – has again raised hopes for normalization of the decades-old conflict with the breakaway region. Is Moldova’s political deadlock proof that the democratic process is working or evidence of a failing system? Is Russia losing the ability to impose its own flagging brand of “sovereign democracy” in nearby separatist enclaves? What can the United States do to encourage Moldova’s slow, but steady progress toward greater implementation of Helsinki commitments? Please join our distinguished panel for a timely discussion of recent developments in Moldova.

Witnesses Scheduled to Testify:

- H.E. Igor Munteanu, Ambassador of Moldova to the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil

- Ambassador William Hill, Professor of National Security Strategy at the National War College and former Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova

- Mr. Matthew Rojansky, Deputy Director of the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment

The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, is an independent agency of the Federal Government charged with monitoring compliance with the Helsinki Accords and advancing comprehensive security through promotion of human rights, democracy, and economic, environmental and military cooperation in 56 countries. The Commission consists of nine members from the U.S. Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce.