The closure of the border crossing points on the Transnistrian segment, at the suggestion of the Supreme Rada of Ukraine, will not affect Moldova. On the contrary, Chisinau may profit from this in the Transnistrian settlement process. Such conclusions were formulated by experts invited to the program “Politics” on TV7 channel, IPN reports.
Corneliu Ciurea, expert of the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul”, considers that the Rada’s decision is favorable for Moldova. “It’s good that the residents of Transnistria will travel through the country more often. They will feel the need of the existence of the Republic Moldova. Now the Chisinau Airport is more often used by those from Transnistria and more Transnistrians apply for biometric passports. Chisinau profits from the situation in the region without doing something,” he stated.
On the other hand, political analyst Oazu Nantoi believes that the situation may worsen after the border on the Transnistrian segment is closed. “Ukraine and Moldova signed bilateral documents. Each of the sides can independently decide to modify the border crossing regime. This decision of Kiev from legal viewpoint does not run counter to the national legislation. Ukraine is a strategic partner for Moldova. It this country hadn’t existed, Moldova would have long ago become a Russian province,” he said.
Head of the ITAR-TASS Office in Moldova Valerii Demidetski said he does not believe that Ukraine will resort to such an act. “An election campaign will soon start there and money is needed for the purpose. Money comes namely from the border,” he stated, adding that the number of Moldovans travelling to Ukraine already decreased significantly and a number of flights to the neighboring state were cancelled.
Political analyst Nicolae Chirtoaca said that Moldova should increase security and should fluidize traffic at the border crossing points on the frontier with Ukraine. “The eastern border is delimited and we do not control it. In fact, the border crossing points between Moldova and Ukraine work in normal circumstances. Now the Ukrainians want to take control over almost 400 km of border where smuggling continues to flourish. This way they secure their border. It is also a step taken to exert military pressure on the Transnistrian authorities,” he stated.
