“The Transnistrian conflict was definitely a fratricidal one and was generated by the political class from both of the sides of the Nistru, which could not provide a solution and a very clear future for both of the banks of the river,” Socialist MP Vlad Batrancea said in the public debate “What are the chances of unfreezing the frozen Nistru conflict?” that was organized by IPN News Agency and Radio Moldova.
The MP noted that players from outside the county were also involved in the conflict, and not from only one side. “The blame is borne by the then political class. But now we should see how we can become attractive to the left side. There are the 5+2 format talks now and it is good that the great powers of the world are involved in these as they can be guarantors of particular processes. But the problem resides in the relationship between Tiraspol and Chisinau,” said Vlad Batrancea.
“I’m absolutely sure that if a consensus and a formula acceptable to the people from both sides of the Nistru are reached, the conflict can be settled. We should not speak only through the angle of condemnations and look for those to blame, but should also suggest a very concrete solution.”
The MP referred to the history of the conflict, which, in his opinion, started after the dismemberment of the Soviet Union, when a political class that looked at things in a different way appeared. He denied other debate participants’ assertions that Moscow played a key role in generating the conflict as Russia was also affected by the dismemberment of the Soviet Union and had its own agenda to fulfill.
“We witnessed a situation when a new historical reality with different political agendas appeared on both sides of the Nistru River. This lead to an ethnical, ideological and linguistic conflict. After particular values had been promoted during 70 years, we had to cope with other values imposed by some, while others said something else. We regretfully reached a conflict and, if we want to solve it, we must understand that we are a people, a country and should have an objective approach and should not accept only one opinion,” said Vlad Batrancea.
He also said that after 25 years of the start of the conflict, unionism and separatism fuel each other and, if this stage is not overcome, the dispute will remain unsolved, while the country wil remain non-unified. “We suggested the idea of federalization as a solution to the Transnistrian dispute. This approach is different from the delimitation of the border on the Nistru. We must get rid of particular ideologies that do not propose solutions. A dangerous segment of politicians appears and these suggest separating Transnistria and going on without it. This is not right. We are one people and a solution should exist for everyone,” stated the MP.
The Socialists’ solution to the Transnistrian dispute envisions the creation of a federative model of state, where representatives from both of the sides could take part in the decision-making process. “If the notion of federalization is not accepted by society, this can be replaced, but no one else suggested something better. Federalization will offer the people from the left side of the Nistru particular freedoms as they fear those from Bucharest will come and will assimilate them when they come closer to the right bank. These phobias are fueled by someone interested. We should tell them that their future as part of Moldova will be better. We must suggest a concrete approach, but unionism regrettably fuels separatism and vice versa, while the phobias are used in propaganda,” concluded Vlad Batrancea.
For her part, Ana Gutu, leader of the unionist party “The Right”, said unionism should not be mixed up with extremism because the wish to reunify with the motherland has always existed and will exist until Moldova unites with Romania. As regards the federalization project proposed by the Socialists, she wondered how this is possible when Russia keeps its army in Moldova. Vlad Batrancea replied that the conflict between Chisinau and Tiraspol should be first solved by reaching consensus. When the country is reunified, no military presence will be needed on Moldova’s territory.
The public debate “What are the chances of unfreezing the frozen Nistru conflict?” is the 71st installment of the series of debates “Developing political culture by public debates” that are organized with support from the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany.
