The right and left banks of the Nistru River are heading for a new crisis, possibly the most serious after the Transnistrian conflict of 1992, owing to the different views on the pursued external policy, considers Vladimir Yastrebchiak, who in 2008-2011 represented Tiraspol in the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks. In a study, Yastrebchiak says the Moldovan authorities look at the European integration as an accomplished act and promote it among the population. At the same time, the administration of the Transnistrian region promotes the Eurasian integration, IPN reports.

In a roundtable meeting in Chisinau, Vladimir Yastrebchiak said that both of the sides need to very well analyze the provisions concerning the creation of the Free Trade Area with the EU. Especially the Transnistrian region must improve its infrastructure as its technologies are outdated. If Tiraspol and Chisinau create reciprocal blockages in trade, the implementation of the Association Agreement with the EU will only worsen the situation.

Vladimir Yastrebchiak proposed creating a free trade regime between the two banks of the Nistru, removing the barriers to regional trade, and setting up centers for checking the quality of goods and products, which would be under bilateral control.

Vladimir Yastrebchiak said that Transnistria does not have even a laboratory for sanitary examination of products. He enquired what the Transnistrian companies will do when the Free Trade Area with the EU is created. The expert considers that the Transnistrian region should have the status of separate customs territory, as other subjects within the World Trade Origination.

The Association Agreement with the EU was initialed at the Vilnius Summit on November 29. Moldova aims to sign and ratify it in the first half of next year.