Thomas Markert: Autonomy is most suitable, but vulnerable solution to Transnistrian conflict

Granting the status of autonomy to the Transnistrian region is the most suitable solution, but it also has vulnerable points, the deputy secretary of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe Thomas Markert said on December 16. Invited by the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Markert gave in Chisinau a lecture themed “Sharing Power for Solving Transnistrian Conflict”, Info-Prim Neo reports. Markert stressed that there are three universal models applied in similar situations – confederation, federation and autonomy. He excluded the confederation as solution for Moldova as it would run counter to the country's legislation. As regards a possible federation, Markert said that this subject became taboo in Moldova after the presentation of the Kozak Plan as the federation proposed by it wasn't a real federation. “That plan offered Transnistria greater government power than in a federation,” he said. The European expert said the content of the solution is more important than its name. Very many details must be given when speaking about autonomy. According to him, the autonomy must guarantee administrative, legislative and judicial power, but its should be clearly specified the extent of this power and in what areas it can be used. “Transnistria must have the right to create its own institutions as well as the obligation to observe Moldova's Constitution. The Moldovan authorities would not be able to intervene in the electoral process in Transnistria. The local and central power must be divided strictly. The financial rules will have to be clarified,” Markert said.