[Info-Prim Neo article from the series “2011: how it was and how it wasn’t”] The year 2011 did not bring significant results in the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks despite evident efforts made at internal and foreign levels. 2011 will remain in history owing to other events than those related to the Transnistrian region, considers Andrei Iovu, a researcher of the Public Policy Institute, the Security Sector Reform Program. Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Eugen Karpov said the resumption of the formal talks in the 5+2 format is the greatest accomplishment achieved in the Transnistrian conflict settlement process this year. ”The restoration of the country’s territorial integrity and the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict do not represent priorities for the population, according to the November Public Opinion Barometer. Such problems as the strengthening of order in the country, the economic development and improvement of the living standards are more important in the view of most of the respondents. Thus, the Transnistrian issue becomes less topical,” Andrei Iovu stated for Info-Prim Neo. He said that 2011 did not bring about essential changes in the process of reunifying Moldova. “The 5+2 format of the talks remained the same and thus there are not many prospects that the conflict will be resolved efficiently. The situation in the breakaway republic continued to worsen this year,” said Andrei Iovu. The researcher believes that one of the most important measures that would stimulate the country’s reintegration is to change the format of the negotiations into one that would allow unlocking the talks. “The 5+2 format practically blocks the identification of a solution to the conflict. An important element is to replace the military peacekeeping mission by a civil mission under the UN mandate, which will indeed contribute to the region’s demilitarization,” said Andrei Iovu. Eugen Karpov stated that the reopening of the talks between Chisinau and Tiraspol is the most important result achieved in the Transnistrian conflict settlement process in 2011. “The dispute can be resolved only by talks, not by force. It was seen that the EU and the U.S. (which act as observers to the talks – e.n.) became more active and there is hope that the negotiations will produce the expected result,” said Eugen Karpov. Speaking about the failures of 2011 in this field, the Deputy Prime Minister mentioned the setting up of two new checkpoints near Pohrebea village and at the hydroelectric plant in Dubasari, but stressed that the members of the Joint Control Commission make considerable effort to prevent the violation of the human rights in the region. As to the possible solutions to the dispute, Eugen Karpov said the Transnistrian region may be granted autonomy, as in the case of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia. “Though such a solution is acceptable, it cannot be copied. Moldova’s Constitution says that the eastern district can ask for autonomy. This is acceptable as a conception,” he stated. Both Andrei Iovu and Eugen Karpov consider that the coming year will be very complex and will bring significant changes on the left bank of the Nistru. Eugen Karpov said that Moldova does not recognize the elections in the Transnistrian region and their results, but monitors them because the separatist leader will be changed and there will be a new partner in the negotiation process. Andrei Iovu believes the changes in the Transnistrian region are inevitable, regardless of the results of the so-called presidential elections. “The change of the Transnistrian leader means there will appear new players in the political process. The personnel of Transnistria’s security bodies may be replaced. 2012 is expected to bring about changes that will foster the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks,” said Andrei Iovu. [Mariana Galben, Info-Prim Neo]