Moldova should show enhanced prudence at possible Russian initiatives related to settling Transnistrian conflict: experts from Chisinau

A group of Chisinau experts recommend the Moldovan authorities to be very cautious in considering Russia's possible proposals related to the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict, exceeding the scope of the Law on the basic principles of the status of the Transnistrian area from 22 July 2005. The opinion was shared by a group of experts in foreign policy attending a round table on Tuesday to discuss the Russo-Georgian military conflict, Info-Prim Neo reports. The experts maintain that, on the background of the conflict, which triggered a huge political-military crisis, the international relations will suffer profound changes, including in terms of settling the Transnistrian conflict. Vlad Lupan, an independent expert, says Russia may offer Moldova a new plan to solve the conflict - “a Kozak Memo 2”. “Moldova's direct talks with Russia will yield a single result – Kozak 2. If we negotiate with Moscow, we should have allies capable to influence Russia,” Lupan opined. On the other hand, the executive of the Foreign Policy Association, Andrei Popov, believes Moscow does not negotiate with anyone, because it feels itself strong enough and able to act on its own. According to Vlad Lupan, now “Russia tests the soil and its forces internally, and externally,” and the next 2-3 months it will enjoy an enhancing image internally, while things will be vice versa externally. The experts recommend Moldova to identify, as soon as possible, jointly with the authorities from Kiev and Bucharest, a compromise formula to cooperate with its neighbors, to strengthen the cooperation in the regional organizations Ukraine is part of, especially GUAM. The Moldovan authorities are suggested to ask for the EU's assistance through an official document in case its sovereignty and integrity were threatened. The experts have expressed their availability to discuss their recommendations with the authorities, the civil society, the political parties in terms of the country's security. Meanwhile international media inform that Russian president Dmitry Medvedev signed a document recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Andrei Popov has told Info-Prim Russia goes the Cypriot way and will remain isolated from other Great Powers for long.