The 5+2 format of the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks cannot offer solutions to the dispute. It only keeps the conflict frozen and does not allow it to degenerate. This format should be revised as it is inefficient. Ukraine, which is one of the participants in this format, assures that it will continue to contribute to resolving the conflict by peaceful ways, with the eastern districts remaining in Moldova’s composition. The issue was discussed in the debate “Moldovan-Ukrainian relations in new geopolitical and regional security conditions”, staged by IPN News Agency in partnership with Radio Moldova.
Ukrainian Ambassador in Chisinau Serhii Pyrozhkov said that Ukraine remains loyal to its obligations as a member of the Transnistrian conflict settlement process and does not avoid taking part in the 5+2 format. Ukraine’s position is known. It is for peacefully settling the conflict by preserving Moldova’s integrity, but by also taking into account the interests of the Transnistrians. Ukraine will continue to fulfill its duties and will make effort for this dispute to be solved as quickly as possible because it has 452 km of common border with Transnistria and it is a regional security matter.
“For example, in 1992, when there was an armed conflict, the border was crossed by about 100,000 residents of Transnistria and Ukraine wasn’t ready to receive so many refugees. Ukraine wants the conflict to be solved as soon as possible,” said Serhii Pyrozhkov.
Head of the Institute for Political Analysis and Consultancy “Politicon” Anatol Taranu said the 5+2 format is not a fundamental one in settling the dispute. “I don’t think that a solution to the conflict will be found within this format. We must look for other ways out. The 5+2 format only keeps the conflict frozen and does not allow it to become hot,” he stated.
Anatol Taranu underlined that two states that act as mediators in this format – Ukraine and Russia – are practically in a state of war. “Moreover, a country that flagrantly violated its obligations as regards the independence and statehood of another state has the quality of guarantor in this format. How can Moldova be sure this state will fulfill its obligations? From this viewpoint, the 5+2 format needs to be seriously re-formed or even replaced,” he said.
Executive director of the Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT Igor Botan also considers that the 5+2 format keeps the dispute frozen and it’s good that the international community monitors it. “Regional security was now destroyed. I think the Transnistrian issue should be included in the agenda when the great powers design a new security construction or repair what was destroyed during the last six months. We should not have great expectations of this format now. We must discuss to see how we can improve people’s lives and to show the Transnistrians that the people from the right bank are not enemies,” he stated.
The debate “Moldovan-Ukrainian relations in new geopolitical and regional security conditions” is the 31st of the series of debates “Development of political culture in public debates” that are organized by IPN in concert Radio Moldova and with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany.
