The term of the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM), which expires this autumn, should be extended for two more years. In such a case, the accomplishments of the Mission and its partners can become even more impressive in the near future. If the Mission completes its duties, these results would gradually diminish, says a study carried out by the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul”, IPN reports.
In the study launch event, research author Rosian Vasiloi said the activity of the EUBAM Mission was successful in Moldova and Ukraine and the results achieved by this exceeded the expectations existing when the Mission was launched in 2005. Currently, both of the states have visa-free regimes with the EU, Association Agreements with the European Union and implemented integrated border management strategies and have reformed border services that mainly match up the EU practices.
Rosian Vasiloi noted that the EUBAM Mission has been involved in activities to contribute to the peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian dispute, especially during the last three years. There were implemented a series of measures to promote the economic integration of the Transnistrian region into the constitutional space of the Republic of Moldova. In 2005-2012, about 150 Transnistrian business entities registered each year with the Moldovan authorities, while in 2013-2016 the figure rose to about 200. During the first five months of this year alone, 816 Transnistrian businesses were officially registered in Moldova. These data reveal many things, but the main conclusion is that the businesses choose the path themselves and this is the European one.
As regards the political regulation level, there were no visible signs of positive tendencies, including to encourage the Transnistrian authorities to resume the negotiation process in the 5+2 format, if only with small exceptions. Now the national authorities are finalizing a reintegration policy concept that is to be presented in the near future. According to Rosian Vasiloi, the Government has an unprecedented chance to identify measures and actions for the future EUBAM Mission, in the context of the security, defense and public order policies in this regard.
The study authors consider it is opportune to extend the Mission’s mandate until the end of 2019, by modifying its structure and strengthening the capacities of the EUBAM Office in the Republic of Moldova. The Office in Chisinau in autumn could take over the whole range of activities related to the Transnistrian conflict settlement and the monitoring of the administrative border, with executive capacities.
