Repeat of December 30

Andrian Candu: Lack of communication with Comrat is a big problem

Head of Parliament Andrian Candu considers one of the biggest problems in the relations with the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia is the lack of direct communication and reciprocal interaction. “This factor during many years led to a different perception of the internal processes and to particular tensions. Consequently, I set the goal of making this process better, of adjusting it to the recommendations made by such partners of Moldova as the Council of Europe and OSCE and to the best European practices,” the official stated for IPN.

Andrian Candu noted that in 2015 he encouraged institutional cooperation, in particular with the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia, laying emphasis on the direct relations with the region’s administration, especially the head of the People’s Assembly Dmitri Konstantinov and the Governor of Gagauzia Irina Vlah. By dialogue, a series of shortcomings were identified in a number of areas such as legislative non-concordance, lack of clear delimitation between the powers of the central authorities and the region’s authorities, lack of a mechanism of consultations for preventing and solving impediments that can appear between the central authorities and the authorities of the region.

“To adjust all these complex areas, in November Parliament adopted a decision concerning the creation of a working group for ensuring the functionality of the region and the provisions of the national legislation with respect to the special status of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia. It is a permanent working group consisting of MPs and members of the People’s Assembly. National and foreign experts can be involved in it with the aim of establishing a continuous and direct inter-institutional dialogue and of achieving very clear objectives,” stated Andrian Candu.

The official is convinced that the policy pursued with regard to Comrat is a correct one and can help deal with many deficiencies accumulated since the proclamation of Moldova’s independence.

Dialogue was established with Transnistria’s administration after a pause of 13 years

As regards the eastern districts of the country, which are conventionally named the Transnistrian region, Andrian Candu said that this May he had a dialogue with the chairman of the so-called Supreme Soviet Mihail Burla. The dialogue was resumed after a pause of almost 13 years. “The discussions with Mister Burla centered on a number of socioeconomic subjects. We also agreed to constitute a dialogue group of members of Moldova’s Parliament and representatives of the so-called Supreme Soviet. We suggested stimulating the dialogue between the chambers of trade and industry, etc. I told then Mister Burla about the interest in promoting joint infrastructure projects, in the areas of telephony, railways and emergency medical services. We also discussed the coming into force of the DCFTA all over Moldova on January 1, 2016,” he stated.

Though the representative of the official Tiraspol expressed then readiness to continue the dialogue, changes occurred as a result of the so-called elections to choose the region’s Supreme Soviet. Andrian Candu aims to restore the direct dialogue in different areas between Chisinau and Tiraspol at the start of 2016, by attracting national and foreign experts with a view to identifying sustainable solutions.

“2015 was a specific year, with considerable functional instability. I wish we achieve a consensus in Parliament with colleagues on strategically important subjects for the country. A clear view agreed by the lawmakers will help identify and implement the best practices in the relations with the authorities of Gagauzia and will foster the dialogue with Tiraspol. I wish 2016 to be a crucial and fundamental one, which will lay the basis for an integral, sovereign, modern and prosperous Moldova,” said the Speaker.

Corneliu Ciurea: We witnessed nothing new in the Transition conflict settlement

Reunification policy expert of the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul” Corneliu Ciurea said that 2015 was an unsuccessful year for the Transnistrian conflict settlement process. Only unofficial discussions between the sides took place. “The chief negotiator was changed, but things remained stagnant. This means that the negotiations depend on the external factor. We can say that 2015 brought nothing new in the Transnistrian conflict settlement process,” he stated.

According to him, a positive aspect is the fact that the Transnistrian administration refrained from worsening the situation in the Security Zone. Both Chisinau and Tiraspol realize the danger of the escalation of the situation amid the conflict in Ukraine. Tiraspol didn’t carry out a number of threats, including to introduce mandatory insurance for vehicles coming from the right bank of the Nistru. It was ultimately decided to implement the Free Trade Agreement with the EU all over Moldova, including Transnistria. Thus, the Transnistrian economic entities will be able to continue to export duty-free to the EU, even if the autonomous trade preferences enjoyed by them expire on December 31.

Corneliu Ciurea noted that all those who follow the Transnistrian conflict settlement process want the talks in the 5+2 format to be resumed and he would like this to happen next year, especially because the representatives of the OSCE will be an official of German origin and this could be beneficial to the negotiation process.

Mariana Galben, IPN