The 5+2 format of talks is nonfunctional and, given Russia’s aggression war against Ukraine, it is unconceivable that the two states will sit at the same negotiating table within this format, said former Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Alexandru Flenchea. For his part, Watchdog expert Valeriu Pașa is sure that the self-styled authorities in Tiraspol do not like Moldova to become involved in the war through the Transnistrian region as this would endanger the businesses of the local economic and political elites, IPN reports.
Valeriu Pașa said the Transnistrian leaders do not want the situation in Ukraine to escalate as the taking of control over the separatist region by the Russian forces would mean the removal of the current leaders in Tiraspol from power.
“The representatives of the illegal administration in Tiraspol form part of a business group that sometimes could do legal and sometimes illegal business due to the existence of the separatist region. They need quietness as the money likes quietness. The Sheriff Group needs to maintain a status quo. They need the borders to be reopened so that their businesses, smuggling, exports of the enterprises they control continue. Given the example of the separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, they realize that when the Russian Federation gains control, the Russians fully remove the local elites, both business and political elites. The Russian Federation does not need the political and economic elites of the Transnistrian region and, if Russia establishes direct control in the region, none of the current leaders in Tiraspol would continue to form part of Russia’s plans,” the expert of Watchdog community Valeriu Pașa stated in the talk show “Freedom with Dorin Galben” on TV8 channel.
Ex-Deputy Premier for Reintegration Alexandru Flenchea said that Chisinau and Tiraspol now manage to come to terms on technical aspects in the 1+1 format. The reanimation of the 5+2 format of talks is impossible during the war.
“The problems concerning the farmers, the Romanian language schools, the steel works and other aspects are dealt with from here directly, with the mediation of the OSCE. The 5+2 format is a platform on which discussions at a higher level are held. This format is neither alive, nor dead at present. As long as the war goes on, it is impossible to imagine that the Russian Federation and Ukraine will sit at the same negotiating table. On the other hand, it would be inopportune to review the format. We now have formats locally. There are the sector working groups that should work,” stated Alexandru Flenchea.
The 5+2 format of talks in the Transnistrian settlement process includes Chisinau and Tiraspol as conflicting sides, the OSCE, Russia and Ukraine as mediators and the European Union and the United States as observers.
