Transnistria is Moscow’s instrument of pressure against Moldova’s wish to become part of the European Union and this pressure should stop, the leader of the Coalition for Unity and Wellbeing Igor Munteanu stated in a public debate staged by IPN News Agency.

He said that even if the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in the European Political Community Summit hosted by Moldova said that this conflict will not hinder Moldova from joining the EU, the authorities should act determinedly so as to get rid of this source of insecurity.

“Two important messages were transmitted in the summit. Josep Borrell noted that if this conflict is not solved, the Republic of Moldova will not experience an impediment on its path to accession. This is an interesting message as many politicians in Brussels said that no one wants the situation of Cyprus to repeat. The second message was sent by President Zelensky who put the question in a different way, asking what the Russian army does on the Republic of Moldova’s territory and why this source of insecurity is not dealt with?” stated Igor Munteanu.

He said the Moldovan authorities in the summit should have come with a clear message about this subject as he considers that this conflict can place hindrances in the process of joining the EU. “During 31 years, this conflict has existed due to the complicity of important political groups from Chisinau. As long as this complicity does not end, the Transnistrians’ narrative will prevail. The Russian Federation’s game in the Republic of Moldova, using the Transnistrian region, is the amalgamation of the Transnistrian population so that Tiraspol has the right of veto over any political or economic division with regard to the EU and the integration of the Republic of Moldova into the EU is this way blocked, not matter at what stage this process is,” said the politician.

Igor Munteanu also said that two important issues need to be dealt with. “Firstly, we must secure international consensus on the Transnistrian issue, as Ukraine did with regard to Crimea, as this region is a component part of the Republic of Moldova and there will be no policy to recognize other sovereign rights over this territory. Secondly, we must pursue a very firm policy to demilitarize the region,” he noted.

The leader of the Coalition for Unity and Wellbeing also said that besides the EU’s encouragement, Moldova should have serious and solid interaction with the neighboring states on the Transnistrian issue. “We must eliminate the source of war and permanent insecurity in Transnistria. Ukraine and Romania are our partners that showed solidarity and wish to contribute to solving this conflict that was borrowed from the USSR and was maintained as Moscow’s instrument of pressure against Moldova’s wish to become part of Europe,” added Igor Munteanu.

The public debate entitled “EPC Summit – opportunities opened for acceleration of negotiations with the EU” was held within the framework of IPN’s project “Support for European Integration by stimulating discussion in the mass media about the European Political Community (EPC) Summit” that is supported by Soros Foundation Moldova.