IPN News Agency presents a picture of the year in different areas in the view of governmental authorities and independent experts. “2018: how it was and how it wasn’t!?” No.5: Transnistrian settlement
More initiatives for benefit of inhabitants from both banks of the Nistru
Alin Gvidiani, deputy head of the Bureau of Reintegration Policies, said 2018 was characterized by an unprecedented intensity of the interaction within the Transnistrian conflict negotiation platforms. There were held a meeting in the 5+2 format and 31 meetings of the Political Representatives, 83 meetings of the sector working groups. In the activity of the governmental commission for the country’s reintegration , there were held three meetings by solving historical problems and with the implementation of 49 development projects through the program of activities for the reintegration of the country in 2018.
According to the functionary, owing to the constant efforts of Chisinau, priority themes from the agenda of the negotiations were solved, including the improvement of the situation of Latin Script Schools in the Transnistrian region and elimination of the notification procedure when crossing the administrative line for students and teachers, restoration of access to the farmlands in Dubăsari district, apostilization of university diplomas and issuing of neutral-design license plates to vehicles from the Transnistria region. Also, after a pause of over five years, the activity of the working groups for human rights was resumed and a series of priority actions were agreed to ensure the respect for different categories of rights in the Transnistrian region, by approving the national human rights action plan for 2018-2022 by the Parliament decision of May 24, 2018.
Alin Gvidiani said the efforts made to solve other topical problems will be continued in the immediate period, namely the ensuring of the free movement between the banks, repair of the Gura Bicului - Bychok Bridge and obtaining of own buildings for Latin Script Schools in the Transnistrian region. Stability is to also be maintained in the perimeter of the Security Zone and assistance will be provided in implementing the requirements of the DCFTA in the region. Joint control will be extended on the whole central segment of the Moldovan-Ukrainian state border, etc. A number of positive initiatives will be continued for the benefit of the people from both banks of the Nistru.
Transnistrian conflict settlement has lasted for too long
Executive director of “Promo-LEX” Association Ion Manole said the Transnistrian conflict settlement has lasted for too long already. “Regrettably, the citizens’ interest in the Transnistrian issue decreased a lot. This subject is no longer a priority for them against such problems as poverty, corruption and the lack of prospects. The year 2018 has seen no development at political level and the small results achieved as a result of the political talks weren’t decisive to say that things developed in areas that affect larger categories of people,” stated Ion Manole.
According to the director of “Promo-LEX”, progress has been made yet. The constitutional authorities accepted to place the problem of human rights in the Transnistrian region at the forefront in the new national human rights action plan. This step is welcome and should be followed insistently. We can speak about particular accomplishments in the case of schools, like the diminution of the exaggerated rental, but this is very weak progress as the most serious problems reside in the general attitude to schools that remained unchanged in the region. The same is true about the farmlands situated beyond the Rybnitsa-Tiraspol road. Particular commitments on the part of the secessionist bodies are negotiated, but these are not safe or clear.
Shortcomings are larger in number
According to Ion Manole, the shortcomings are larger in number, such as the non-ensuring of free access to the region for different categories of persons, lack of any missions or possibilities of monitoring the situation in the region and intensification and rise in the number of military exercises. This fact increases concerns about security in the zone. “We see that the dynamics of aggressiveness grew in 2018. This aggressiveness was constantly fueled from outside by Russia and from inside by forces for which it is suitable to have the situation stagnant so that it does not evolve positively, in the people’s interests,” stated Ion Manole.
He noted it is hard to pronounce exactly on prospects when the whole Transnistrian conflict settlement process is kept far from public opinion. The lack of a transparent and sincere process of consultations and informing of public opinion fuels fear and uncertainty in society and discredits the 5+2 format, undermining confidence in the players involved in this format.
Elena Nistor, IPN
Other materials of the campaign “2018: how it was and how it wasn’t!?”:
Agriculture, regional development and environment
Defense
Education
Justice