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Transnistrian Conflict on July 16–31, 2011

EUBAM to help building confidence

Deputy Prime Minister Eugen Carpov met the EUBAM head, General Udo Burkholder on July 21, 2011 and discussed issues related to the Transnistrian section of the Moldovan-Ukrainian border in the light of EUBAM initiatives aimed to increase confidence-building actions between the two banks of the Nistru river. As well, the parties discussed the possibility to resume the circulation of cargo trains in the Transnistrian sections of Moldovan railways. They noted that technical problems relating to circulation of cargo trains have been settled and customs experts are expected to work out technological schemas for cargo transportation via railway sections from the Transnistrian region. Udo Burkholder noted that EUBAM supports Chisinau’s approach regarding the resumption of circulation of Moldovan trains in the Transnistrian sections, as well as initiatives released at the last “1+1” meeting in Bender on July 12. This would be both an economic relaunch and a step forward building confidence between people from both banks of the Nistru.

Response of Moldovan MFAEI to statements by Russian Foreign Ministry official

The press service of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MFAEI) has explained some aspects of statements delivered by an official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry concerning the external economic activity of Transnistria-based businesses. According to the spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexander Lukashevich, “the agreement concerning the participation of Transnistria in external economic activity is defined by statements delivered by Moldova during negotiations with the World Trade Organisation, which say that Moldova joins the organisation as a single economic area… In addition, some references were made to the May 8, 1997 Moscow Memorandum on the Bases for Normalisation of Relations between the Republic of Moldova and Transnistria, as well as to other customs agreements.” According to Lukashevich, the 2005 agreements between Moldova and Ukraine concerning checking rules for Transnistrian exports had “the effect of an economic blockade for the Transnistrian region, the least at the beginning.” Therefore, Russia’s position in the Transnistrian settlement process contributed to block attempts to extend the Moldovan economic jurisdiction on the Transnistrian region, Lukashevich told a briefing in Moscow.

Moldova’s MFAEI does not warm the assessments by the Russian Foreign Ministry, which says that the joint decision of Moldova and Ukraine to introduce a new customs regime at the border between the two countries starting March 2006 aimed to set up a so-called “blockade” or “to unilaterally extend the Moldovan legislation” on the region, and assures that it aimed to adjust export-import deals to international standards. In order to prevent any negative effects on Transnistria-based economic agents, the customs regime introduced in 2006 brought simplified business registration procedures, a tax refunding mechanism, as well as the possibility to enjoy directly the trade preferences provided by the EU and the CIS to Moldova. More than 800 Transnistria-based businesses have got registered with Moldovan authorities until now, and statistics confirm that their trade relations with foreign partners develop and do not face any obstacles from Moldovan authorities. Transnistria-based businesses are free of any payments to national budget, except for fees for customs issuance and origin certificates.

July 1–15, 2011 August 1–31, 2011