Federalization cannot compromise Moldova’s coming closer to EU

The resolution of the Transnistrian conflict by implementing an appropriate federalization project cannot compromise the process of Moldova coming closer to the EU, U.S. Ambassador Asif Chaudhry said, answering a question put in the July 15 meeting of the Chisinau Press Club. According to the diplomat, two essential principles should be observed when implementing a possible federalization project. The rest depends on the people’s will to establish the kind of relations they want inside the state. “It is a good question. First of all we must think what federalization is. Is it the system that we have in the U.S.? Is it the Russian Federation? There are many types of federations. That’s why the people do not know what federalization means and express concerns. It is important that Moldova should be an integral state within its internationally recognized borders. It must be able to exercise sovereignty all over its territory. When these conditions are met, the people living on the banks of the river can decide what kind of relations they should have,” said Asif Chaudhry. “I hope and believe that the U.S. and the EU back such an approach that can help Moldova come closer to the European Union. It already started to follow this path. The discussions and negotiations on the liberalization of the visa regime between Moldova and the EU prove this. “I intentionally did not give a concrete answer about my attitude on the federalization issue because it depends on what we mean. There are negative methods of forming a federation, but there are also good examples. I reiterate it is important that Moldova should exercise sovereignty all over its territory.” On the same issue, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Special Representative for Protracted Conflicts Giedrius Čekuolis told Info-Prim Neo in an interview {published on June 30, 2011} that Moldova's European integration and the socioeconomic reforms undertaken in connection with this process will approach the settlement of the Transnistrin conflict. “I think the attractiveness of western-side Moldova in general – the welfare of its citizens, the rule of law, the right of free movement across Europe and the European orientation of your country – will help to create conditions for the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict,” said the Lithuanian diplomat. “It is necessary to start preparing society for potential far-reaching compromises”, said Giedrius Čekuolis, without specifying the nature of such compromises.