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Transnistrian Conflict on April 2–15, 2011

Second round of “5+2” consultations

In April 4–5, 2011, in Vienna the second round of consultation in this year in “5 +2” format on the Transnistrian conflict settlement was held. The consultations focused on issues related to the perspectives for resuming formal negotiations in that format, as well as promoting confidence-building measures, ensuring the free movement of citizens and guarantees in the settlement process. Moldovan delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Eugen Carpov reiterated the call for unconditional and immediate resuming of official political negotiations in “5+2” format, but this issue will be discussed at the next meeting when it is expected to adopt a decision in this regard. The Vienna meeting also reviewed the ways to enhance the activity of working groups in order to facilitate the political dialogue on possible special legal status of Transnistrian region. It has also been launched the initiative to extend the activity of working groups on customs matters, so as to identify solutions to facilitate foreign trade of companies in Transnistrian region.

At the meeting the head of Moldovan delegation, Eugen Carpov, tackled also the worrisome trends in the Security Zone, such as strengthening the unauthorized presence of Transnistrian law enforcement structures and continuing stalemate in the work of the Joint Control Commission (JCC), increasing number of incidents and cases of detention and arrests of Moldovan citizens, creation of obstacles to free movement of persons, goods and services. In this context, Moldovan delegation requested the OSCE representatives to conduct an independent analysis of the situation in the Security Zone in the light of relevant documents and to develop some recommendations and solutions. In this context, Transnistrian delegation noted that, in contrary, Tiraspol fulfils all provisions under the concluded agreements, including the search and apprehension of persons who are suspected by Moldovan law enforcement bodies of committing crimes, while the Moldovan authorities are avoiding reciprocity.

Regarding the possible resumption of formal negotiations in “5+2” format, Transnistrian delegation reiterated its position on “the need to create the prerequisites so that the first official meeting would becomes the last one”. In fact, the head of Transnistrian diplomacy, Vladimir Yastrebchak, has guided within the meeting in Vienna by express instructions of Tiraspol leader, Igor Smirnov, who insisted on a standard and consistent set of requirements: the need to follow the de facto legal equality of the parties in the conflict; observance and implementation of previously agreed arrangements etc. Also, on the eve of the meeting in Vienna Transnistrian representatives stressed that Transnistria sees its future only as an independent and sovereign state, member with equal rights of the international community. In such circumstances, at the end of the meeting, participants participants agreed that next meeting will be held in Moscow in June 2011. On this occasion, the Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova in Russian Federation, Andrei Neguta, gave an interview to radio station “Ekho Moscvy”, confirming that in June in Moscow a new meeting in “5+2” format will be held, where the Transnistrian problem will be discussed in the light of establishing a special expanded status for this region within the Republic of Moldova, which would corresponds to both international law and modern international practice. The Ambassador Neguta made reference to the Aland Islands model, pointing out that Moldovan political elite would agree to offer to Transnistrian a status that would provide it with the right to conclude international economic agreements, but without retaining some attributes like the army, external policy and others.

Smirnov invited Filat

During consultations in “5+2” format in Vienna the head of Transnistrian diplomacy, Vladimir Yastrebchak, conveyed to Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Eugen Carpov, a letter from Tiraspol leader Igor Smirnov, whereby he invited the Prime Minister, Vlad Filat, “to pay an official visit”, proposing to choose the time and place of possible meetings. The declared purpose of the meeting would be to discuss a number of “issues of particular importance in the context of normalization of relations between the Republic of Moldova and Nistrian Moldovan Republic”. The replica of Moldovan Prime Minister followed immediately — he can not pay official visits within his own country upon someone’s invitation. At the same time, the Prime Minister Filat reiterated that he is ready for working meetings to address existing problems, which may approach the final Transnistrian settlement. On the other hand, Transnistrian diplomacy continued to complain to European officials, particularly to the Head of the Department of Continental Europe of the Foreign Ministry of France, Philippe Lefort, and to the Head of Section for Russian and Eastern Europe in the same ministry, Florence Ferrari about the unilateral actions of Moldovan side, generating situations that do not allow the creation of favourable conditions for a dialogue that would be equal and with mutual respect. From this, one may conclude that the invitation of Smirnov to Prime Minister Filat is his electoral manoeuvre.

Ukrainian Ambassador reiterated his country’s stance on Transnistrian settlement

On April 6, during a lecture held at the University of Tiraspol, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Moldova, Sergey Pirojkov, reiterated his country’s stance on Transnistrian settlement. According to Ukrainian Ambassador the settlement can be reached only at the negotiating table, using the tactics of “small steps” to enhance mutual trust, for example, through activity of joint working groups. The interest of Ukraine for Transnistrian settlement is dictated by the fact that Ukraine has a common border with Transnistrian region of about 450 km, and a third of this region’s population are ethnic Ukrainians. Ukraine approaches have made Moldovan authorities to adopt in 2005 a special law on the principles of conflict settlement, but the adoption of this law was not consulted with Ukraine, and Transnistria’s replica was — referendum held on 17 September 2006 on this region’s independence and its association it with Russia. According to Ukrainian Ambassador this is the logic of a lack of dialogue and communication. In this context, he stressed the importance that all participants should agree to resume formal negotiations in “5+2” format and the existing peacekeeping mission should be transformed into a civilian, which is possible.

March 16 – April 1, 2011 April 16–30, 2011