Transnistrian Conflict on March 2–16, 2009

“2+1” consultations

Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov has announced that a “meeting of presidents in a 2+1 format” was set for March 18, 2009 in Moscow. He instructed the department for foreign relations to prepare the meeting jointly with the Russian Embassy in Chisinau. Smirnov stressed that the “meeting of presidents” Medvedev and Smirnov will take place anyway, while a confirmation of the participation of Vladimir Voronin was expected. Chisinau authorities confirmed that the chief of state will participate in the March 18-scheduled meeting.

Ukraine accepts “2+1” consultations, not negotiations

The special representative of Ukraine at the “5+2” negotiations, Victor Krizhanovsky, has visited Tiraspol to discuss with Transnistrian foreign minister the situation relating to the Transnistrian settlement before the March 18-set meeting in Moscow. The Ukrainian diplomat noted that Ukraine will not change its positions concerning the Transnistrian settlement after the resignation of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vladimir Ogrizko. Krizhanovsky stressed that Ukraine has nothing against “2+1” consultations, but it does not accept the signing of any political documents without its participation: “We do not warm separate negotiations. No agreement is possible without Ukraine, as this would mean eroding the negotiation process. We do not want to be common signatories; we want to keep participating actively in the negotiation process.” In his turn, Transnistrian foreign minister Vladimir Yastrebciak stated: “This position of Ukraine is well-known, we have an understanding attitude, but the Moscow trilateral meeting does not mean undermining the «5+2» format. The vacuum in the negotiation process must be filled up and any mediation initiatives are welcome in this regard. These are not separate negotiations; all will be transparent for all participants in negotiation process.”

Ukraine will open interdepartmental structure for Transnistria settlement

While visiting Tiraspol, the special representative of Ukraine at the “5+2” negotiations, Victor Kryzhanovsky, has stated that his country will promote a very clear and outlined policy on Transnistrian settlement. He noted that an interdepartmental group will be established and it will be headed by Stepan Gavrish, deputy secretary of the Security and Defence Council. Kryzhjanovsky will be the deputy of Gavris. The necessity of setting this group was dictated by the fact that Ukrainian ministries and departments do not coordinate their actions very well in relations with Transnistria. “Each ministry or department in charge with regulating Moldovan-Transnistrian relations has its interests. The Foreign Ministry has to harmonise these interests and this requires time. Equilibrium of these interests is needed.”

Eventual Voronin-Smirnov meeting

The Transnistrian leader has stated that he could meet separately with Vladimir Voronin in Transnistria in the second half of March, in order to discuss issues related to commercial cooperation, exports by Transnistrian economic agents, other problems aimed to facilitate the life of people. He stressed that the Tiraspol administration does not warm the “package of documents” on conflict resolution which President Vladimir Voronin handed in to Igor Smirnov at the December 24, 2008 meeting, since Moldovan authorities did not give green light to the initiative to sign a friendship and cooperation treaty with Transnistria. Serious talks could focus only on an “agreement on harmonising relations” with the Republic of Moldova.

Foreign trade exceeded 2.5 billion dollars in 2008

Transnistria’s foreign trade was worth 2.571 billion dollars in 2008, according to the statistics department from the secessionist region. Exports were worth 928.9 million dollars and imports amounted to 1,642.6 million dollars. The trade balance was negative — 713.7 million dollars. In 2008 the Transnistrian region held commercial relations with 114 countries, including 12 CIS member states. The trade with CIS states covered 55 percent of the exports and 68.7 percent of the imports. The import-export proportion in relations with Ukraine is 3:1. Overall production in 2008 was by 2.1 percent smaller than in 2007. Inflation was 33 percent.

Social problems in Transnistrian region

The Transnistrian statistics department has reported wages in the eastern region of Moldova. In particular, the average salary in 2008 was 246 dollars. The average wage of budgetary organisations was 118 dollars. The highest average salaries on sectors were recorded in energy, banking and insurance, respectively 595, 435 and 365 dollars. The nominal average wage has increased by 28.2 percent in 2008 compared with 2009, but the real average salary covered just 96.1 percent of the one paid in 2007. Retirees count for 133,209 people before January 1, 2009, which is by 115 persons less than on January 1, 2008. The average pension in the region amounted to 54 dollars in 2008.

Transnistrian NGOs seek proportional electoral system

Twenty Transnistrian nongovernmental organisations backed requirements for introduction of a proportional electoral system in the region chosen by the Supreme Soviet. The proportional system is expected to represent widely different groups of people. The initiative seeking the adoption of a proportional electoral system is motivated by necessity to harmonise the Transnistrian legislation with Russian laws. However, developers consider that the electoral threshold in Transnistria should be 2–3 percent, not 7 percent like in Russia. As well, they seek open, not closed candidate lists, as voters should know those who will represent them for five years.

Sittings of Joint Control Commission are inefficient so far

Sittings of the Joint Control Commission (JCC) are inefficient so far. Just talks on agenda take two hours. Last sitting on March 12, 2009 focussed on two Moldovan prisons based in Bender municipality and training centre of the Transnistrian defence ministry dislocated to Cetatea Bender. Separatist authorities want the prisons to be shut up while Moldovan representatives invoke the necessity to close the training centre, as it violates the convention on principles of peaceful settlement of the armed conflict in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, signed by Russian and Moldovan presidents on July 21, 1992.

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