Executive director of the Association for Foreign Policy (APE) Victor Chirila thinks the government in Chisinau should insist on creating a common economic area with the Transnistrian region and to involve European expertise in the process. According to him, this would bring together the two banks of the Nistru River and lead to the gradual settlement of the Transnistrian conflict, considering that political negotiations are stalling.

At a press club organized by APE, Chirila said that the creation of a common economic area would be supported by both sides. Meanwhile, people on the right bank of the river are against special autonomy for the Transnistrian region. “Politicians must propose ideas that seem impracticable right now”, stressed the expert.

Victor Chirila thinks that Moldova won't join the EU unless it solves the Transnistrian conflict. In these circumstances, he asks the Liberal-Democrats who promise European integration in 5 years how can they solve this conflict and whether they see any chance of a compromise between Chisinau and Tiraspol.

The APE director notes that the right bank of the Nistru is the main economic partner of the Transnistrian region and cargo transportation is more developed there than in the rest of the country. Transnistrian carriers are pleased that they can get licenses in Chisinau and don't depend on Tiraspol. The expert thinks that by creating a common economic area, Chisinau can promote the country's legal framework and the European standards Moldova is trying to meet, without involving the authorities in Tiraspol.

According to Chirila, if the government in Chisinau manage to create the common economic area, this will improve the foreign partners' opinion of it and will attract more support.

The experts says that in order to succeed with creating the common economic area, the government must not only propose the concept, but also summon its foreign partners who can provide at least the same financial support that Russia offers to the Transnistrian region.