Political analyst Oazu Nantoi, programs director at the Institute for Public Policy, considers there are no reasons for being optimistic about the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict despite the optimistic statements made by the authorities. The fact that the authorities expressed their satisfaction with the developments in the Transnistrian files does not mean that the alleged evolutions had a positive effect on the citizens of the Republic of Moldova from the left side of the Nistru, Oazu Nantoi stated in an interview for Radio Free Europe, IPN reports.
“Given that 2018 is an electoral year and not only in our country, but also in Russia, even if not elections, but reconfirmations will be witnessed there, in the situation when Ukraine in 2018 will start to also think about the elections of 2019 – presidential and for the Supreme Rada – there are no reasons for being optimistic about the resolution of the dispute. I mean not the mechanic joining of two misfortunes, but the creation of a functional state with the rule of law all over Moldova’s territory. In Moldova, none of the politicians have tried to and are not able to think about and address this problem in such a manner,” stated Oazu Nantoi.
The analyst believes the Transnistrians will take part in this autumn’s parliamentary elections. “They will surely take part and I will not be surprised if the company “Sheriff” will have not only 43 deputies in the so-called supreme soviet, but will also have representatives in Moldova’s Parliament,” he said.
Oazu Nantoi noted that when they speak about the small steps policy, they do not say what the goal of those steps were and when the conflict will be settled not by giving a special legal status, but by creating a functional state where the citizens of the Republic of Moldova will have the same rights and possibilities all over the country. The fact that there is the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia does not mean that this can serve as a model for Transnistria. Also, the Russian Federation does not intend to pull out its troops and those who are in power do not even try to think in what conditions Russia would agree to accept particular conditions to withdraw its troops.
According to the analyst, we are witnessing a provincial, disgusting show that holds no interest to anyone, to the regret of the Moldovans who intend to flee this country, while 2018 promises nothing positive, if only the fact that the businesses in Transnistria profit from the Association Agreement with the EU. But this is demagogy.
