Germany tests Russia's sincerity with Transnistria

“The Merkel-Medvedev initiative is a very clear message sent to Russia that we will take Transnistria and Moldova as a proof of Russia's sincerity about the establishment of the European security system”, stated Markus Meckel, member of the Moldo-German Forum's Board, while speaking to reporters in Chisinau. Markus Meckel was the last foreign minister of the German Democratic Republic, one of the founders of the German Social Democratic Party, and a former member of the Bundestag over a period of twenty years. “Until recently, such an initiative was impossible, because Russia was refusing the resumption of talks in the 5 plus 2 arrangement. You know the talks in Vienna, where Russia was always refusing to restart the negotiations. Now Russia waits for the outcome of the parliamentary elections, so the people of Moldova must decide. And if the people elects a government which would go ahead with the reforms, it will be a clear signal to Russia, which, seeing a committed government, will be more inclined to solve the problem, knowing that there is support from the EU and Germany in particular”, said Markus Meckel. “The key message in the Merkel-Medvedev initiative is that Germany made it clear to Russia – we will regard Transnistria as a proof of your commitment to building the European security system. (…) Time has come for the Russians to ask themselves if the want to maintain the status quo in Transnistria or make progress with the security system”. Talking about the controversial dilemma about Moldova's external East-or-West orientation, Markus Meckel said it was up to the people to determine its future. “It wouldn't be correct to formulate this choice in terms of good relations with either Russia or the EU. The question is how the Moldovans want to live? Do they want freedom, democracy and stability? Do they want free and independent mass media; a political culture based on transparency and reciprocal respect; an environment with freedom of expression and assembly; do they want a genuinely free economy, of course with a strong social component? If this is what you want, the question is who would be a good partner in acquiring it? It is up to you to decide”, Markus Meckel said.