Anatol Petrencu: The Transnistrian issue can be solved by enforcing XIV Army’s withdrawal. Info-Prim Neo Survey

Info-Prim Neo News Agency has launched an opinion poll on the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict among leaders of political parties, representatives of the civil society, and opinion shapers from both banks of the Nistru. The survey is aimed at finding out viewpoints that could contribute to the improvement of the present situation. All the participants were asked the same two questions. This time, the answers are given by Anatol Petrencu, the president of the social-political movement “Actiunea Europeana” (European Action). [- How can the dispute be solved in the opinion of the party you represent? In what way, through what mechanisms and during what terms is a settlement possible?] - The European Action considers that the Transnistrian dispute deserves the foremost spot in the policies of the Republic of Moldova. Our arguments are the following: the borders of the Republic of Moldova are inherited from the former Soviet Moldavia, which are recognized by the international community; the Constitution states the territorial integrity of the state we call the Republic of Moldova; the separatist regime in Tiraspol is illegitimate, imposed through the use of armed forces by the Russian Federation in 1992 and backed by its government until present days. The Moldovan Parliament adopted a law on the Transnistrian dispute, a unanimously accepted law that offers a solution to this conflict. [- How do you think, how efficient and relevant to the created situation are the steps taken by the administration of Moldova at present? When do you think the effort made by the authorities will begin to produce results and what results can we expect?] - We believe the authorities in Chisinau possess all the leverages to resolve the issue – they have the support of the international organizations, the support of the general public in Moldova, and have the required institutions to achieve the desired goal. What characterizes the current government is the lack of political will to settle the issue and the endorsement, sometimes evident and sometimes concealed, of the ruling party for the Tiraspol separatists. The European Action considers that the Transnistrian dispute can be solved by having the official Chisinau unambiguously enforce the withdrawal of the XIV Army from Cobasna by the Russian Federation. It is also key to provide full support to the people living in the separated districts by implementing social assistance, cultural, economic and other problems.