Transnistrian Conflict on February 1–14, 2011

Efforts of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office to resume negotiations in “5+2” format

On 9–11 February 2011, Foreign Minister of Lithuania, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Audronius Azubalis, visited Moldova. During the visit he met with representatives of Tiraspol administration and Chisinau authorities with the aim to prepare for the consultations in “5+2” format in Vienna, scheduled for 14–15 February, to be followed by the resumption of formal negotiations in that format. Visit to the Republic of Moldova was preceded by visits to Moscow and Kiev, where the OSCE Chairman-in-Office got convinced that “the situation is not quite easy”, but not so bad either, so that to give up efforts to resume formal negotiations in “5+2” format. So far, there is no clear agenda for eventual negotiations. In this context the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova, Iurie Leanca, said that Moldova’s position in negotiations remains the same — to develop a special status for Transnistria within Moldova so that to observe the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and the withdrawal of Russian weapons from the area.

Transnistrian administration considers it premature to resume negotiations

After meeting on 9 February between the OSCE Chiarman-in-Office, Audronius Azubalis, and representatives of Tiraspol administration, the head of Transnistrian diplomacy, Vladimir Yastrebceak, said that resumption of official negotiations in “5+2” format is premature. Yastrebceak stressed that it’s useless to talk about the resumption of negotiations as long as the resolution of problems faced by Transnistrian enterprises is not ensured, and the mediators and international observers pretend to have forgotten about these issues, ignoring the position of Transnistria. According Yastrebceak it’s abnormal that Transnistrian economy is subject to restrictions and blocking measures, and the Transnistrian economic operators are forced to process the export customs documents in compliance with legal norms of the Republic of Moldova. This is because one cannot talk anymore about building “a common state” with the Republic of Moldova, as envisaged by the Kozak Memorandum, developed in 2003: “The situation has changed radically. Things have evolved and what was then possible does not coincide with our current tasks”.

Consultations in Vienna in the “5+2” format

A round of consultations took place in “5+2” format on Transnistrian conflict resolution was held on 14–15 February 2011 in Vienna. Moldovan delegation was headed by Eugen Carpov, Deputy Prime Minister. The meeting tackled mainly the issues on confidence building between the conflicting parties, but also issues related to ensuring the freedom of movement, guarantees in the settlement process. A particular problem was the resumption of official negotiations in “5+2” format. Moldovan delegation drew attention of the representatives of mediators and observers to the problems related to free movement of persons and goods between the two banks of Nistru; the difficulties faced by students of Moldovan schools, teaching based on Latin alphabet, in Transnistria; the situation in Security Zone, etc. In this context, Moldovan delegation called for unconditional resumption of negotiations in “5+2” format. Transnistrian representatives noted that only the settlement of practical problems faced by the region, and not the political statements, can pave the way for resuming negotiations. From this point of view were examined the ways to enhance the activity of working groups to strengthen mutual trust. In particular, the attention has focused on launching the activity of working group on education and on intensifying actions to facilitate economic activity of enterprises in Transnistria. A special discussion was devoted to cases of conviction by Transnistrian bodies to long periods of detention of Moldovan citizens. In this context, Moldovan delegation requested the release of Ernest Vardanean sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment, and Ilie Cazac, sentenced to 14 years, both for “espionage in favor of Moldova”. At the end of the meeting, participants agreed on the program of activities for the coming year. Despite the fact that the mediators and observers have noted the existence of necessary conditions for the resumption of official negotiations in “5+2”, this subject will be discussed at the future meeting.

OSCE and EU delegation about the convictions of Moldovan citizens in Transnistria

OSCE Chairman in Office, Audronius Azubalis, said during his visit to Moldova that OSCE Chairmanship will continue to seek solutions for the case of Ilie Cazac, sentenced on February 9, 2011 by Transnistrian authorities under charges of treason. In this respect, the OSCE will also conduct through diplomatic channels actions regarding the case of Ernest Vardanian, who also was convicted several months ago for spying in favor of Moldova. In the same context, the EU Delegation in Moldova has evoked the need to respect human rights, in particular, the right to a fair process, as well as the rights of detainees. EU Delegation expressed its concern about the investigating circumstances of the case of Ilie Cazac, in particular the lack of transparency of the process and refusal to provide legal assistance at individual discretion, as well as the contact with family members.

Senator Richard Lugar: Washington should put pressure on Moscow…

Republican Senator, Richard Lugar, member of the Foreign Policy Committee of the Senate, published on 8 February 2011 a report entitled “Will Russia end Eastern Europe’s last frozen conflict”, where he recommends the Washington administration to support the Republic of Moldova in the settlement of Transnistrian problem. According to recommendations of the report, the recent developments in Moldova and the attention paid to the situation in Transnistria by European leaders offer an opportunity for the U.S. to act similarly in order to resume negotiations on Transnistria and support Moldova’s pro-Western aspirations. In particular, the U.S. must:

pay attention at the highest diplomatic level to the resumption of negotiations on the settlement of Transnistrian problems in basis of the efforts launched by governments of Germany and France. Experience suggests that the U.S. positions as leader in European security issues remain indispensable. A lasting settlement would strengthen political stability and economic growth in entire Moldova, would encourage rapprochement with Western institutions, would undermine the illegal trafficking of goods and people, ensure individual rights and freedoms in Transnistria; support the replacement of Russian peacekeeping mission with an international civilian mission;
convince Russia that its assistance in the settlement of Transnistrian conflict and other frozen conflicts could serve as an evidence that the development of NATO-Russia relations can provide security in Eastern Europe and that relations in post-Soviet area are not a “zero sum” game;
support the withdrawal of military presence and weapons from Moldova;
further continue discussions on conventional arms control in Europe;
repeal the Jackson-Vannik restrictions and improve bilateral trade relations;
develop an U.S.-Moldova Partnership Charter;
provide technical assistance to Moldovan government in institutional reform and economic growth;
hold regular briefings for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the state of negotiations in the settlement of Transnistrian and other conflicts.

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