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Transnistrian Conflict on June 1–15, 2011

Waiting for official “5+2” negotiations

In order to clarify some facts before the June 21-scheduled meeting in Moscow, which is expected to give green light to resumption of the official “5+2” negotiations, Ukrainian and Russian foreign ministers met in Odessa on June 6. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, both Russia and Ukraine are strongly decided to resume the political settlement of the Transnistrian conflict. While meeting his counterpart in Odessa, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that “the parties play the decisive role in resuming the negotiations. Many efforts are required to approach their positions and prevent the transformation of negotiations into a dispute related to the unitary state on one hand and independence on the other hand. In fact, a compromise is needed.”

According to Minister Lavrov, Russia and Ukraine agree that the solution shall be found in the framework of “the territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova and guaranteeing of a special political status for Transnistria.” As well, Lavrov stressed that the parties shall be treated on an equal footing during negotiations. In his turn, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Konstantin Grishchenko stated that Ukraine and Russia are interested in resuming the official “5+2” negotiations during the June 21-scheduled meeting in Moscow. Moldovan Foreign Minister Iurie Leanca did not attend the Odessa meeting despite expectations, so that nor the political representative of Transnistria,Vladimir Yastrebcheak, could participate in the talks.

In all likelihood, the absence of Moldovan Minister Iurie Leanca at the meeting in Odessa produced a diplomatic confusion during a reception organised by Russia’s Embassy to Moldova on June 11, on occasion of the National Day of Russia. Thus, the host of the reception, Russian Ambassador Valery Kuzmin gave the floor to Vladimir Yastrebcheak, whom Chisinau regards as the political representative of Transnistria in the negotiation process, but the Russian ambassador introduced as “head of the Transnistrian diplomacy”. In those circumstances, several Moldovan and foreign diplomats including Moldova’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Popov left the reception hall.

Moldovan higher-ranking officials reacted after a couple of days in connection with the confusion occurred during the reception at the Russian Embassy. On June 13, Prime Minister Vlad Filat described the gesture of Russian Ambassador Valery Kuzmin as “an offence against Moldovan nation,” regretting the incidence and approving the reaction of Moldovan diplomats who left the reception hall. The premier stressed that he would not like to believe that Russia has premeditated this action. He called for calm, given the approaching day of 21st of June, when the “5+2” negotiations on settlement of the Transnistrian conflict are expected to start in Moscow. Interim President Marian Lupu also called for calm and invited the sides to prevent an exaggerated tensioning of the incident. According to Lupu, there was an unhappy, out-of-the-way and uncoordinated incident, and the departure from reception was not related to the incident, as it took place after delivering a speech but before the speech of Vladimir Yastrebcheak.

Moldovan diplomats also commented the incident later, after the spirits calmed down. In particular, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration Andrei Popov was quoted by INFOTAG news agency as saying that the departure from reception “was an appropriate reaction to actions of the ambassador, who gave the floor to Transnistria’s representative, introducing him as head of the Transnistrian diplomacy.” In his turn, Moldovan Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration Iurie Leanca stressed that the gesture of Russian Ambassador Valery Kuzmin, “is an inadmissible and regrettable error… The Republic of Moldova has a single Foreign Minister here, in Chisinau, not there, in Tiraspol.” Minister Leanca noted that he has discussed the happenings with the Russian ambassador, who promised to send the message of the Moldovan diplomacy to Moscow. Indeed, the Russian Foreign Ministry released an official statement on June 14 “in connection with latest speculations related to Moscow’s position regarding the Transnistrian settlement,” confirming Russia’s unchanged attitude towards “recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, with respect for the neutrality status stipulated by Constitution.” According to the statement, the Russian Federation calls “for a long-term political settlement capable to guarantee a special status to Transnistria as part of the Republic of Moldova.”

On the other hand, the reaction of Chisinau perplexed the political representative of Transnistria in the negotiation process, Vladimir Yastrebceak, whom Ambassador Kuzmin introduced as “head of the Transnistrian diplomacy.” He said that nothing uncommon has happened in fact. “I was invited in quality of foreign minister by other foreign embassies in Chisinau as well. In this quality I meet various diplomats in Tiraspol, Chisinau, capitals of other countries including European. I am afraid that this reaction of Chisinau sets a not too favourable background for the June 21-scheduled «5+2» Transnistrian settlement meeting in Moscow.” (According to INFOTAG Agency)

May 16–31, 2011 June 16–30, 2011