Politics
Principles of the Transnistrian conflict settlement stay the same
Reading Time: 6 minutes Interview with Victor Osipov, Moldovan deputy prime-minister in charge of reintegration (Translation from the original text in Romanian). Excerpt from a radio broadcast on December 13, 2009 produced by the Foreign Policy Association (APE) in collaboration with Imedia News and Analysis Agency and with the assistance of the German Foundation Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES). The broadcast is aired on Radio Vocea Basarabiei every Sunday.
Interview with Victor Osipov, Moldovan deputy prime-minister in charge of reintegration (Translation from the original text in Romanian). Excerpt from a radio broadcast on December 13, 2009 produced by the Foreign Policy Association (APE) in collaboration with Imedia News and Analysis Agency and with the assistance of the German Foundation Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES). The broadcast is aired on Radio Vocea Basarabiei every Sunday.
The current state of the Transnistrian conflict settlement process
Corneliu RUSNAC, moderator, IMEDIA: In what condition is the settlement process now?
Victor Osipov: There is an effort by the new Government of the Republic of Moldova, supported by our partners for dialogue and I would like to think that it is also accepted and understood by those from Tiraspol, in order to unlock the dialogue on this issue.
I think, and I have said this, a success of the current government is that it managed to assert itself as a credible discussion partner, was able to articulate the new approach, more open and more positive, as regards relations with Tiraspol and addressing the issues that are on the country’s reintegration agenda. Thus, conditions were created for a whole series of meetings and actions in the 5+2 – in Vienna, here in Chisinau, visit of mediators and observers, leaving together for Tiraspol, where we can say that there was also an informal 5+2 meeting. There was also a seminar organized to enhance confidence among the institutions defending the rule of law on the right and the left bank, an unprecedented action but also one of great opportunities. These signs are showing that there is a worming at least in what regards the settlement process.
I should remind you that we agreed on November 6 in Vienna that we will resume bilateral dialogue to resolve current problems in the region and create a platform for development projects, including those funded from outside – the EU and other donors, also all parties have shown the readiness to resume political negotiations in the 5+2 format, difficulties still remaining in terms of determining the date and, especially, the contents of a first round of the resumed process.
There were also a series of consultations at the meeting of OSCE foreign ministers in Athens on 1-2 of December, where the subjects on the agenda were also discussed and, although there was not a declaration on Moldova — which is not a novelty, they have not managed to get one in previous years either – I think however that the talks have advanced. And I also think that the parties have shown enough common points of view, enough similar positions, despite retaining some differences which made it impossible to coordinate a text for the ministerial meeting within such a limited timescale.
Here is the situation. But most importantly I think it should be noted that following these agreements bilateral dialogue between Chisinau and Tiraspol was actually resumed. I have already had a first working meeting, without any publicity, with the political representative of Tiraspol, where we discussed current issues affecting the interests of economic agents on both banks, public interests, the interests of peasants on the plateau near Dubasari who have difficulties of accessing to their land beyond the Rybnitsa-Tiraspol route and many others – problems with movement of diplomats, and concerning the general freedom of movement of people and so on. We have already started a discussion in this regard, we are in the phase of finding solutions to problems that have been raised during the first meeting, and even try to schedule a second one. So we are trying to give this dialogue pace and content.
In this context, I repeat, we think our positive openness is perceived adequately by Tiraspol representatives and supported by the participants in the political settlement process.
Principles of Transnistrian conflict settlement
Corneliu RUSNAC: How do you and the Alliance for European Integration envisage the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict? Based on which principles should this problem be settled? Is there any difference of principle regarding the way how the settlement of this crisis was perceived by the former authorities?
Victor Osipov: I do not think that the basic principles make the difference. They are the same. And perhaps one of the most precious things that Republic of Moldova’s authorities were able to defend with the support of our international allies, was maintaining the status quo in which Republic of Moldova is recognized as a sovereign, independent and territorially integral state within its internationally borders recognized. This was also reconfirmed at the October meeting in the 3+2 format of mediators and observers to the process and subsequently in a bilateral manner by all our partners. It is a principle within which we see the solution of the Transnistrian conflict. And the form, which is also expressed by rather broad formula and liberal in terms of content, as a form we see the expression of this solution by granting special autonomy status to the Transnistrian region. So even here there is no difference.
Moreover, I want to tell you that in terms of fundamental principles and strategic interests that Republic of Moldova has in this matter, one of our tasks was, and I think we managed, to demonstrate consistency. Because what a national strategy in a priority issue really means, is to demonstrate consistency. But novelty is that we try to approach the process differently. We try to address communication differently and try to address requests in a different way, including those coming from the Transnistrian side, in order to solve problems that they consider to affect their interests, negotiating in this framework other possible issues which affect our interests.
I think the so-called positive pressure is much better than the roughness they had before in their discussions – a manner which often led to a deadlock in the talks even in actual meetings, and we will not repeat this mistake.
I also think that a number of positions that are not related to issues of principle, but to rather more technical issues, need a new approach. And what we tried to do during this period, assuming the file of Transnistrian settlement, was to assess which of the mechanisms have not worked and should be changed or must be applied in a different manner.
Withdrawal of Russian troops and munitions from the territory of Republic of Moldova
Corneliu RUSNAC: Although Russia has committed yet in 1999 to withdraw its troops from the Republic of Moldova, they are still stationed in the Transnistrian region. How could Moscow be persuaded to withdraw its troops and munitions from the Republic of Moldova?
Victor Osipov: I would recommend those discussing the issue to be more nuanced and accurate. We should not create the impression, false in fact, that since Istanbul Summit of 1999 onwards things have not moved on this issue. It is false. We must view the situation in its real dynamics and find that the contingent of Russian troops from Transnistria is currently reduced to a total of one thousand soldiers and all heavy weapons have been discharged or discarded on site. Of the total arsenal of Russian ammunition from Republic of Moldova’s eastern districts, amounting to over 40 thousand tons, nearly half have already been evacuated. Out of the peacekeeping contingent, which originally numbered 2,500 Russian soldiers, today remained around 500, after an agreement made by parties in Odessa, but virtually a unilateral decision of the Russian Federation. I prefer to address and present the situation in terms of the positive dynamics that it recorded.
Similarly, we cannot deny that these processes stopped at some point. And we have yet to see the reasons why and who bears responsibility for this. I believe that each party bears some – Transnistrian, Moldovan, and the Russian one.
Our task, set in the work schedule of the Government, is very ambitious and yet very natural. When we talk about a peace mission, its aim is peace. Fortunately, for 17 years the situation is stable in Transnistria and in the Security Area, and we believe that in the end – and it would be better to happen sooner – the military component of peace mechanism should be replaced with a civilian monitoring mission under international auspices, possibly under the aegis of the OSCE.
But such a transformation can only be agreed by parties who are involved in the peacekeeping mission, and the settlement process. This is not easy and we will not benefit if we just point at the Russians and present in the form of blame what is actually a common goal and should be an achievement for the Russian Federation – evidence of successfully completing a peace mission, unlike in other conflict regions.
I think we should resume the positive dynamics and keep on trying to persuade those who are the owners of the troops and ammunition to continue until their final disposal. It will not be very easy, but I think we have chances.
The role of EU and the U.S. in resolving the Transnistrian conflict
Corneliu RUSNAC: Until recently the emphasis was on the role that Russia plays in resolving the Transnistrian conflict. I would like to ask what role should the European Union and United States of America play in resolving the Transnistrian crisis?
Victor Osipov: European Union and the United States are already involved and bring a significant contribution to the discussion of topics that are on the agenda of meetings. They participate equally, although they are only observers. The difference is that, unlike mediators, observers have no voting rights on documents. But discussions in the format is not the only way they can help in resolution of the Transnistrian conflict and the EU and the U.S. have a determination that we see growing to engage more seriously, in particular in development projects that should bridge the two banks. By engaging in joint activities, by solving problems facing the people, by providing technical and financial assistance in solving problems of infrastructure, health care, the establishment of cultural bridges and so on.
I think there are many other instruments outside the actual settlement policy or political negotiation and through them we must insist, as we indicated in the government program, that the role of EU and the U.S. in this process is increases.
A new football club has earned a leading place in the UEFA Champions League groups and starred in the headlines of worldwide football news yesterday. The Football Club Sheriff Tiraspol claimed a win with the score 2-1 against Real Madrid on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. That made Sheriff Tiraspol the leader in Group D of the Champions League, including the football club in the groups of the most important European interclub competition for the first time ever.
International media outlets called it a miracle, a shock and a historic event, while strongly emphasizing the origin of the team and the existing political conflict between the two banks of the Dniester. “Football club from a pro-Russian separatist enclave in Moldova pulls off one of the greatest upsets in Champions League history,” claimed the news portals. “Sheriff crushed Real!” they said.
Moldovans made a big fuss out of it on social media, splitting into two groups: those who praised the team and the Republic of Moldova for making history and those who declared that the football club and their merits belong to Transnistria – a problematic breakaway region that claims to be a separate country.
Both groups are right and not right at the same time, as there is a bunch of ethical, political, social and practical matters that need to be considered.
Is it Moldova?
First of all, every Moldovan either from the right or left bank of Dniester (Transnistria) is free to identify himself with this achievement or not to do so, said Vitalie Spranceana, a sociologist, blogger, journalist and urban activist. According to him, boycotting the football club for being a separatist team is wrong.
At the same time, “it’s an illusion to think that territory matters when it comes to football clubs,” Spranceana claimed. “Big teams, the ones included in the Champions League, have long lost their connection both with the countries in which they operate, and with the cities in which they appeared and to which they linked their history. […] In the age of globalized commercial football, teams, including the so-called local ones, are nothing more than global traveling commercial circuses, incidentally linked to cities, but more closely linked to all sorts of dirty, semi-dirty and cleaner cash flows.”
What is more important in this case is the consistency, not so much of citizens, as of politicians from the government who have “no right to celebrate the success of separatism,” as they represent “the national interests, not the personal or collective pleasures of certain segments of the population,” believes the political expert Dionis Cenusa. The victory of FC Sheriff encourages Transnistrian separatism, which receives validation now, he also stated.
“I don’t know how it happens that the “proud Moldovans who chose democracy”, in their enthusiasm for Sheriff Tiraspol’s victory over Real Madrid, forget the need for total and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria!” declared the journalist Vitalie Ciobanu.
Nowadays, FC Sheriff Tiraspol has no other choice than to represent Moldova internationally. For many years, the team used the Moldovan Football Federation in order to be able to participate in championships, including international ones. That is because the region remains unrecognised by the international community. However, the club’s victory is presented as that of Transnistria within the region, without any reference to the Republic of Moldova, its separatist character being applied in this case especially.
Is it a victory?
In fact, FC Sheriff Tiraspol joining the Champions League is a huge image breakthrough for the Transnistrian region, as the journalist Madalin Necsutu claimed. It is the success of the Tiraspol Club oligarchic patrons. From the practical point of view, FC Sheriff Tiraspol is a sports entity that serves its own interests and the interests of its owners, being dependent on the money invested by Tiraspol (but not only) oligarchs.
Here comes the real dilemma: the Transnistrian team, which is generously funded by money received from corruption schemes and money laundering, is waging an unequal fight with the rest of the Moldovan football clubs, the journalist also declared. The Tiraspol team is about to raise 15.6 million euro for reaching the Champions League groups and the amounts increase depending on their future performance. According to Necsutu, these money will go directly on the account of the club, not to the Moldovan Football Federation, creating an even bigger gab between FC Sheriff and other football clubs from Moldova who have much more modest financial possibilities.
“I do not see anything useful for Moldovan football, not a single Moldovan player is part of FC Sheriff Tiraspol. I do not see anything beneficial for the Moldovan Football Federation or any national team.”
Is it only about football?
FC Sheriff Tiraspol, with a total estimated value of 12.8 million euros, is controlled by Victor Gusan and Ilya Kazmala, being part of Sheriff Holding – a company that controls the trade of wholesale, retail food, fuels and medicine by having monopolies on these markets in Transnistria. The holding carries out car trading activities, but also operates in the field of construction and real estate. Gusan’s people also hold all of the main leadership offices in the breakaway region, from Parliament to the Prime Minister’s seat or the Presidency.
The football club is supported by a holding alleged of smuggling, corruption, money laundering and organised crime. Moldovan media outlets published investigations about the signals regarding the Sheriff’s holding involvement in the vote mobilization and remuneration of citizens on the left bank of the Dniester who participated in the snap parliamentary elections this summer and who were eager to vote for the pro-Russian socialist-communist bloc.
Considering the above, there is a great probability that the Republic of Moldova will still be represented by a football club that is not identified as being Moldovan, being funded from obscure money, growing in power and promoting the Transnistrian conflict in the future as well.
Photo: unknown
Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Natalia Gavrilita, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nicu Popescu, pay an official visit to Brussels, between September 27-28, being invited by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles.
Today, Prime Minister had a meeting with Charles Michel, President of the European Council. The Moldovan PM thanked the senior European official for the support of the institution in strengthening democratic processes, reforming the judiciary and state institutions, economic recovery and job creation, as well as increasing citizens’ welfare. Natalia Gavrilita expressed her confidence that the current visit laid the foundations for boosting relations between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, so that, in the next period, it would be possible to advance high-level dialogues on security, justice and energy. Officials also exchanged views on priorities for the Eastern Partnership Summit, to be held in December.
“The EU is open to continue to support the Republic of Moldova and the ambitious reform agenda it proposes. Moldova is an important and priority partner for us,” said Charles Michel.
Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita also met with Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for Economy, expressing her gratitude for the support received through the OMNIBUS macro-financial assistance program. The two officials discussed the need to advance the recovery of money from bank fraud, to strengthen sustainable mechanisms for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in Moldova, and to standardize the customs and taxes as one of the main conditions for deepening cooperation with the EU in this field.
Additionally, Prime Minister spoke about the importance of the Eastern Partnership and the Deep Free Trade Agreement, noting that the Government’s policies are aimed at developing an economic model aligned with the European economic model, focused on digitalization, energy efficiency and the green economy.
A common press release of the Moldovan Prime Minister with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles, took place today, where the agenda of Moldova’s reforms and the main priorities to focus on in the coming months were presented: judiciary reform; fighting COVID-19 pandemic; promoting economic recovery and conditions for growth and job creation; strengthening state institutions and resilience of the country.
“I am here to relaunch the dialogue between my country and the European Union. Our partnership is strong, but I believe there is room for even deeper cooperation and stronger political, economic and sectoral ties. I am convinced that this partnership is the key to the prosperity of our country and I hope that we will continue to strengthen cooperation.”
The Moldovan delegation met Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice. Tomorrow, there are scheduled common meetings with Oliver Varhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Adina Valean, European Commissioner for Transport and Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy.
Prime Minister will also attend a public event, along with Katarina Mathernova, Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.
Photo: gov.md
Politics
Promo-LEX about Maia Sandu’s UN speech: The president must insist on appointing a rapporteur to monitor the situation of human rights in Transnistria
The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, pays an official visit to New York, USA, between September 21-22. There, she participates in the work of the United Nations General Assembly. According to a press release of the President’s Office, the official will deliver a speech at the tribune of the United Nations.
In this context, the Promo-LEX Association suggested the president to request the appointment of a special rapporteur in order to monitor the situation of human rights in the Transnistrian region. According to Promo-LEX, the responsibility for human rights violations in the Transnistrian region arises as a result of the Russian Federation’s military, economic and political control over the Tiraspol regime.
“We consider it imperative to insist on the observance of the international commitments assumed by the Russian Federation regarding the withdrawal of the armed forces and ammunition from the territory of the country,” the representatives of Promo-LEX stated. They consider the speech before the UN an opportunity “to demand the observance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the Russian Federation with reference to this territory which is in its full control.”
“It is important to remember about the numerous cases of murder, torture, ill-treatment, forced enlistment in illegal military structures, the application of pseudo-justice in the Transnistrian region, all carried out under the tacit agreement of the Russian Federation. These findings stem from dozens of rulings and decisions issued by the European Court of Human Rights, which found that Russia is responsible for human rights violations in the region.”
The association representatives expressed their hope that the president of the country would give priority to issues related to the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region and would call on relevant international actors to contribute to guaranteeing fundamental human rights and freedoms throughout Moldova.
They asked Maia Sandu to insist on the observance of the obligation to evacuate the ammunition and the military units of the Russian Federation from the territory of the Republic of Moldova, to publicly support the need for the Russian Federation to implement the ECtHR rulings on human rights violations in the Transnistrian region, and to request the appointment of an UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur to monitor the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova.
**
The Promo-LEX Association concluded that 14 out of 25 actions planned within the National Action Plan for the years 2018–2022 concerning respecting human rights in Transnistria were not carried out by the responsible authorities.
The association expressed its concern and mentioned that there are a large number of delays in the planned results. “There is a lack of communication and coordination between the designated institutions, which do not yet have a common vision of interaction for the implementation of the plan.”
Promo-LEX requested the Government of the Republic of Moldova to re-assess the reported activities and to take urgent measures, “which would exclude superficial implementation of future activities and increase the level of accountability of the authorities.”
Photo: peacekeeping.un.org
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