The key negotiators to the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks of Chisinau and Tiraspol, Gheorghe Balan and Vitally Ignatiev, had a new meeting on May 5. Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Gheorghe Balan after the meeting said that they discussed a number of problems, including the diplomas issued by the education institutions of Transnistria, the circulation of vehicles registered in the region and railway transport, IPN reports.
Gheorghe Balan noted that the issue concerning the use of the apostille on the academic certificates issues by the University of Tiraspol will be examined by the working group on education. “We also spoke about railway traffic and the problems faced by the persons who possess vehicles registered in the Transnistrian region as well as about ecology. Several protocol decisions on data exchange are to be signed,” he stated.
As to Tiraspol’s latest statements about the illegal entrance of the Transnistrian airspace by Romanian planes, the Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration said the planes photographed Moldova, both the right and the left sides of the Nistru River, within an international mapping project. “An airline operated flights over Moldova’s territory. The representatives of Tiraspol were informed about the civil mission. We were even ready to provide the necessary information about the left side. The representatives of the cadaster body of Transnistria welcomed this intention. But angry reactions and even accusations against the air company followed,” he stated.
Gheorghe Balan also spoke about the economic crisis in Transnistria and the fact that the region’s central bank sells Moldovan lei as foreign currency. “We all know that the Transnistrian region is experiencing a serious crisis. We see it by the exchange rates. The fact that the Moldovan leu is being traded shows that there is great interaction between the right and the left banks. The Transnistrian side should appreciate the intense trade with the right bank as this helps it overcome the economic problems,” he noted.
As regards the 5+2 format of the talks, the Deputy Prime Minister said that this has been blocked for about a year and a half. Chisinau is ready to resume these talks, but the discussions should take place without imposition conditions.
For his part, Vitally Ignatiev said that a solution to the problem of railway freight could not be identified. The working group on transport cannot reach a consensus and he suggested to Gheorghe Balan to communicate directly because this is a painful issue for the Transnistrian business entities, including the railway company whose employees risk remaining without a job. The working groups do not work intensely and Tiraspol only hears that the Moldovan side is ready to help solve the problems, but sees no actions.
