Tiraspol intends to implement the Russian legislation in the Transnistrian region. The local so-called deputies adopted a relevant initiative proposed by the Yevgeny Shevchuk in the first reading.
Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Eugen Carpov said that Tiraspol’s initiative is a new challenge for the international community, while political analyst Anatol Taranu and Transnistrian issue expert Andrei Iovu stated for IPN that this is an attempt to put greater pressure on Moldova on its path to European integration.
Eugen Carpov reminded that at a recent meeting in Kiev, the OSCE Ministerial Council adopted a statement by which the sovereign and territorial integral character of Moldova and the necessity of holding talks on the conflict, including for resolving it politically, were confirmed. “I think those from Tiraspol gave reasons for concern to Russia too. Earlier, there were initiatives to use the Russian currency and then the state symbols of Russia, but they weren’t welcomed. We will ask the Russian Federation to make its position public so that those from Tiraspol also hear it,” he stated.
Anatol Taranu considers that Yevgeny Shevchuk’s initiative does not have a future. “This initiative will not be put into practice. How will the pensions be paid if the people from the region do not pay contributions into the pension fund of Russia? How will the roads be repaired if they do not pay contributions to the road fund? This is only propaganda,” he stated.
Andrei Iovu believes that the most pessimistic scenario is that the Transnistrian region will gradually integrate into Russia. If this country does not recognize the region, they will try to integrate by adopting its legislation. “Unfortunately, Chisinau reacts with delay to all the actions of Tiraspol. They do not want to make the relations tense. What Tiraspol does now forms part of the actions aimed at thwarting Moldova in its European integration efforts before the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU,” he stated.
The expert considers that this initiative was at least consulted with the Kremlin as the Transnistrian regime does not take decisions without the consent of Moscow. In the coming period, Moldova can expect other challenges, mainly in the energy sector and exports to Russia, and the relations with Transnistria may become tenser.
