The lawmakers must consult civil society when they work out solutions for improving the situation in the Transnistrian region, considers expert in the Transnistrian issue Eduard Tugui. The expert has told IPN that if civil society is not consulted, it may not accept some of the solutions. Besides, civil society has its own experience as regards the Transnistrian dispute.

“First of all, I doubt the MPs’ ability to draw up an exhaustive plan that would temper the situation in Transnistria.  I expected that their statement will contain actions for the institutions that manage certain sectors in the dialogue with the Transnistrian authorities or that administer the negotiations in general. I don’t think a statement was needed. It should have been a document setting out broad actions,” said Eduard Tugui.

According to the expert, the relevant actions for remedying the situation are rather within the competence of the relevant governmental authorities. “Not all the actions should be public. I don’t think that a Parliament decision should contain sector actions. The authorities deal with the case and they know better what measures are necessary. The measures can be concentrated on several levels,” said Eduard Tugui.

The expert believes that first of all the image of the talks and the positions in the negotiations should be changed. “Moldova fell into an informational trap and showed that it needs the region. They, for their part, have nothing to do with us. Moldova lost this informational war and should now recover. I think the Transnistrian companies want to enter the European market alongside Chisinau,” he stated.

Secondly, Moldova should be more insistent in the negotiations with the mediators and guarantors so that all the political and security issues that remained in the shadows are raised. The small steps policy is not sufficient. As regards the economic and social relations that the constitutional authorities can cultivate with the Transnistrian companies and society, Eduard Tugui said they should not be obstructed as a result of establishing new relations with the EU.

On June 21, Parliament adopted a statement on the peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict and is to agree soon a decision to propose solutions for improving the situation in the region.