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Transnistrian Conflict on January 18–31, 2010

Discussions with Russian representatives to resume “5+2”negotiations

On January 18, 2010, the deputy minister in charge with the country reintegration issue, Victor Osipov, met officials from the Russian Foreign Ministry to discuss the Transnistrian settlement problem. Valeri Nesterushkin, special envoy of the Russian Foreign Ministry, and Marat Kulakhmetov, adviser for the Russian foreign minister for peacekeeping affairs, were informed regarding the approach of the Transnistrian settlement issue by Moldova’s new authorities:

Victor Osipov and Grigori Karasin, deputy foreign minister of the Russian Federation, discussed the same issues two days later. Osipov stressed the important role of the Russian Federation in the Transnistrian settlement process based on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova. Russian diplomats called in their turn for increasing consultations in this regard with the purpose to settle the Transnistrian conflict by adopting a special status for Transnistria.

As well, Russian diplomats visited Transnistria and met officials there. In Tiraspol, Grigori Karasin stressed that the equal footing is a basic condition for the Transnistrian settlement, otherwise ensuring a viable process and efficient decisions is unimaginable. In their turn, the Transnistrian authorities insisted on avoiding the resumption of negotiations from the very beginning, noting that existing decisions shall be taken into account. Karasin underlined that he has drawn the attention of interim President Mihai Ghimpu on a benevolent attitude towards Russia’s peacekeeping mission, which guarantees the peace in the region. Speaking about withdrawal of the Russian military presence will be possible when a final decision on Transnistrian settlement will be close, but theretofore approaching this issue is premature.

Attitude of Moldova’s western partners towards resuming negotiations

Premier Vlad Filat met US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington on January 24, 2010, with the latter saying that the US is calling for the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict in the “5+2” format with respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova. This fact was fixed in the joint declaration of the US and Republic of Moldova on enhancing bilateral cooperation.

In fact, representatives of Moldovan authorities have confirmed during meetings with foreign officials that the Transnistrian issue is being tackled in the light of the need to strengthen confidence-building measures between the conflicting parties and resume the “5+2” negotiations as soon as possible. A more gradated emphasis was observed during the January 27, 2010 meeting between interim President Mihai Ghimpu and Romanian President Traian Basescu. The Romanian president underlined that he supported and supports the Republic of Moldova as sovereign and independent state, which shall ensure its full control on own territory. “Keeping technical and human resources of the Russian army in the Transnistrian region does not encourage the conflict resolution,” he feared.

OSCE supports Moldovan authorities

On January 19, 2010 Parliament Chairman Mihai Ghimpu met representatives of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly team for Moldova led by Swedish Parliament member Walburga Habsburg Douglas, who assured that “the OSCE is supporting the actions taken by authorities of the Republic of Moldova to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict. In his turn, Mihai Ghimpu called for the resumption of the «5+2» negotiations, noting that Russia must honour the 1999 Istanbul OSCE Summit commitments on the complete and unconditional withdrawal of military forces and munitions from the eastern area of the Republic of Moldova. «The democratisation and demilitarisation of the Transnistrian enclave are necessary and indispensable premises for the definitive settlement of the conflict,» he stressed, adding that this goal could be reached «by involving our external partners more actively.» The visit of the OSCE delegation to Tiraspol confirmed the interest of the Transnistrian leader «to enhance the negotiation process.» Smirnov stressed that the March 18, 2009 Barvikha Declaration has recently become programmatic since being signed. According to Smirnov, the basic conditions for developing negotiations are linked to the equal footing principle for the conflicting sides and guarantee system. Smirnov insisted that the Republic of Moldova failed to build a post-Soviet society. Many Moldovan citizens want to be part of Romania, others of NATO and others of Russia. These are reasons for permanent political destabilisations. Therefore, Transnistria needs the peacekeeping mission of Russia.”

Following the visit of the OSCE delegation, the OSCE Mission in Chisinau hosted on January 26, 2010 a new meeting of the representatives of the Transnistrian settlement process on behalf of Moldova and Transnistria, Victor Osipov and Vladimir Yastrebchyak. The sides considered matters relating to the honouring of previous agreements made during meetings in Vienna and Bender. In particular, Victor Osipov reported Government’s decisions to extend the commodity declaration procedures for economic agents and documentation of population from the Transnistrian region for indefinite terms.

Moldovan-Ukrainian border is being demarked on Transnistrian section

The first intermediary border sign was installed near the village of Bolshaya Koshnitsa, the rayon of Yampol in the Ukrainian region of Vinnitsa on January 29, 2010. Taking part in the ceremony were Moldovan Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Iurie Leanca and his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko. A joint statement concerning the start of demarcation of more than 400 kilometres of the Moldovan-Ukrainian border on the Transnistrian section was signed on this occasion. “The process which has started may be regarded as historical for the simple reason that a common denominator was found after 18 years of independence, with the obstructionist position of those from Tiraspol being the main barrier,” Minister Leanca stressed. It was noted that the border demarcation process develops in a strictly European context. Even more, he continued, “…the border demarcation will be also an important element in efforts to find a viable solution to the Transnistrian conflict.” In his turn, Petro Poroshenko noted the new quality of Moldovan-Ukrainian relations in the recent period. At the end of the meeting, both officials called for the urgent resumption of the “5+2” negotiation process.

Taking part in the event were also representatives of the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM). Earlier, on January 16, 2010, interim EUBAM head Udo Burkholder stated that the Mission will keep providing the necessary assistance to the Border Guard Service for institutional development in accordance with European standards. A special attention will be paid to enhancing cooperation and assistance of European institutions to Moldova in the border management area.

In the same context, Premier Vlad Filat scheduled a visit to Kiev for February 1, 2010, being invited by his Ukrainian counterpart Julia Timoshenko. The meeting agenda included matters related to border demarcation, recognition of estates, etc.

Tiraspol’s reactions to the start of demarcation of Moldova-Ukrainian border

The reaction of Tiraspol authorities to the start of the demarcation process on the Transnistrian section of the Moldovan-Ukrainian border was negative. Anticipating the beginning of this process, representatives of Transnistrian authorities participated in bilateral consultations with Ukrainian administration on January 24, 2010. In consequence, the Transnistrian authorities decided to not obstruct the demarcation process at the Moldovan-Ukrainian border. In their turn, the Ukrainian authorities provided guarantees that the demarcation works will be operated in Ukraine only, without crossing the border itself. At the same time, the Transnistrian authorities underlined that the border demarcation process is an important component for settlement of the Moldovan-Transnistrian conflict. In these circumstances, the Transnistrian authorities regretted the impossibility to participate in the demarcation process on parity principles. However, they are optimistic that the demarcation process will not be pressed until the final resolution of the conflict.

Incident in security zone

Colonel Aurel Fondos, head of the Peacekeeping Forces contingent on behalf of the Republic of Moldova in the Security Zone, was held by officers of an illegal Transnistrian checkpoint in the area concerned on January 29, 2010. Fondos demanded the immediate intervention of military observers on the scene, but the Transnistrian side barred it for two hours. According to Moldovan authorities, the holding of Colonel Fondos violated the December 3, 2009 CUC decision approved by all delegations, which condemns a similar holding of the Moldovan officer on October 30, 2009. Moldovan authorities notified immediately the CUC co-chairmen on behalf of the Russian Federation, Transnistria and representatives of Ukraine and OSCE Mission in connection with the incident. The Transnistrian side alleges that on January 29, 2010 Colonel Auren Fondos crossed the Transnistrian checkpoint “Lunga-2”, refusing to provide the possibility to Transnistrian border guards to check an eventual shipment of some goods. It is worth to note that on January 21, 2010 the Moldovan delegation to CUC expressed indignation with this incident, stressing that it has permanently sought the withdrawal of illegal checkpoints and customs stations of the Tiraspol administration from the Security Zone. According to the Moldovan delegation to CUC, these actions harden the peacekeeping operation, violating the Odessa and Moscow agreements on the peaceful settlement of the conflict in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, as well as breach the freedom of circulation.

November 16–30, 2009 February 1–14, 2010