Moldovan-Romanian border treaty should be signed by elections, Germany

“The content of the draft border treaty between Moldova and Romania allows signing this agreement as soon as possible. I can only voice hope that it will be signed soon, by the elections,” Markus Meckel, a member of the Administration Board of the German-Moldovan Forum, said, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. Markus Meckel was the last Foreign Minister of the German Democratic Republic, one of the founders of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, and a member of the Bundestag during 20 years. According to Meckel, a number of issues based on emotions and electoral speculations will be removed when the treaty is signed. “My message for Moldova and Romania is to finalize and ratify this agreement as soon as possible. This is not only my personal opinion. The Government of Germany also considers the problem must be solved soon,” Markus Meckel said. Asked how insistent Germany can be with Romania in tacking this issue, Markus Meckel said it is not Germany's role to exert pressure on Romania. It aims to identifying a common position in the EU. Romania will then be unable to oppose this position. The EU pays increased attention to Moldova and accepted the changes that took place in the country. “I hope the other problems will be also solved and there will be made progress. [The German politicians convey clear related messages when they meet Romanian politicians"]. “There are many discussions in Moldova about the union with Romania. For some this is a dream, while for others an electoral appeal. A treaty should be in place so that this problem is no more discussed,” Meckel stated. He also said that the OSCE principles of 1975 say a country can unite with another country or separate. “I saw different examples. Germany signed a reunification treaty. Czechoslovakia was divided into two and the two countries live in harmony. If there was a clear constitutional majority of two thirds in Moldova and Romania, there would be no opposition. But I think this is more a dream than a political issue, especially because the Transnistrian dispute is a priority for Moldova. The important thing is for Moldova to build democracy. Those who are pro-Romanians must be able to make cultural exchanges, trips, etc., while the pro-Russian ones should feel at home in Moldova,” Markus Meckel said.