The modification of the status of the European Union at the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks in the 5+2 format, from observer into mediator, as the European officials ask, will not have an effect on the process itself, expert in the Transnistrian issue Oazu Nantoi stated for Info-Prim Neo. “In the Odessa consultations on September 26, 2005, the format of the talks was changed and the U.S. and the EU were granted the status of observer. They said then that the status of observer did not differ much from that of mediator. Now they want this status to be raised to the level of mediator. I think that this format is full of political hypocrisy. Russia should not act as a mediator as it maintains this regime (Transnistrian – e.n.) from financial, political, military and informational viewpoints. A question arises: what kind of mediator is it?” said Oazu Nantoi. The analyst said it is important to see if the Moldovan political class can mobilize itself so as not to miss the chances that appear in connection with the changes in the region and the EU’s wish to become involved in the settlement of the Transnistrian dispute. “I do not imagine that Yevgeny Shevchuk (the Transnistrian leader) or Nina Shtanski (the official responsible for foreign relations in the Transnistrian administration – e.n.) can state in the talks that they become ordinary citizens of Moldova, that the so-called Transnistrian republic is undergoing self-liquidation and the Moldovan tricolor will be hoisted in Tiraspol, that the Transnistrian army and the illegal paramilitary troops will disappear, while the KGB will be dissolved,” Oazu Nantoi said, when asked if he shares the European officials’ optimism about the progress made in the negotiation process. He also said that the change of atmosphere at the negotiations is important, but it is more important to build a viable, functional and democratic state that cannot be blackmailed about its future from inside and outside. As to the efforts to restore the Transnistrians’ confidence in the central authorities, Oazu Nantoi said that there are not many deeds. “When Smirnov was in power in the region, effort was made to isolate the left bank from the right bank of the Nistru. It’s not about confidence restoring. The Transnistrian economic entities are registered in Chisinau, over 4,000 young people from the region study in Chisinau and joint sports competitions are held. It more about restoring normal communication between the people living on the two sides,” stated the expert. Oazu Nantoi considers that confidence can be built by making investments and implementing joint projects. The people should be able to communicate between them, but the change of administration in Transnistria is not a guarantee that there will be willingness to implement joint projects on both banks of the Nistru. Recently, the Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Dirk Schuebel said that certain progress was made in the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks. He also said that the EU will continue to play an important role in these talks, but it wants to be treated as an equal partner in them, suggesting that the EU should become a mediator in the negotiation process. The European Union will insist on this, but the decision is to be taken by the sides involved in the talks.