The Transnistrian settlement talks in the 5+2 format should be buried by silence and non-convocation, said political pundit Vladimir Socor. According to him, instead of the Transnistrian settlement talks in the 5+2 format, the 1+1 (Chisinau and Tiraspol) format should be intensified as this is more efficient in maintaining stability on both sides of the Nistru. According to the expert, a state with the EU candidate status can no longer coordinate its domestic and foreign policy actions with Russia, IPN reports.
Vladimir Socor considers the 5+2 format is defunct and cannot contribute to settling the Transnistrian conflict by identifying a special status for the separatist region. He said that stability on both sides of the Nistru can be ensured by efficient cooperation between Chisinau and Tiraspol, without Russia’s interference.
“A country that obtained the EU caniddate status by definition cannot negotiate its internal and external arrangements with Russia. There is complete incompatibility. Chisinau now no longer discusses the 5+2 format and the special status. Chisinau doesn’t pronounce these words now as it had pronounced them for 29 years and was wrong. The 5+2 format should be buried by silence and non-convocation. The 1+1 format between Chisinau and Tiraspol already exists in the place of this and this format is much more efficient in stabilizing the situation. The administration from Tiraspol doesn’t have any interest in being dragged by Russia into the conflict,” Vladimir Socor stated in the program “Reflection Points” on Vocea Basarabiei station.
According to the expert, since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the administration in Tiraspol has had a reconciliatory tone in the dialogue with the constitutional authorities in Chisinau. Also, together with the decision to stop the transit of Russian gas in December 2024 taken by Ukraine’s Naftogaz, the influence of the Kremlin on the Transnistrian region will gradually decrease.
“The administration in Tiraspol wants stability and freedom of movement for the businesses from the region and Tiraspol discusses with Chisinau on the basis of this. The managers from Tiraspol are much more militant and radical when they discuss with Chisinau in the presence of Russians. Russia’s assistance for the Transnistrian region has diminished. Russia no longer has a direct connection with the Transnistrian region. Russia offers free gas to the region, but Ukraine will almost definitely stop the transit of Russian gas in December 2024,” stated Vladimir Socor.
The Transnistrian settlement talks in the 5+2 format include Chisinau and Tiraspol as conflicting sides, the OSCE, Russia and Ukraine as mediators and the EU and the U.S. as observers. After the war in Ukraine broke out, this negotiation format was blocked.
