Chisinau should apply a policy of deterrence in relation to the Transnistrian region, while the conditionality principle imposed on Moldova by the European Union regarding de-oligarchization should cover the left bank of the Nistru River as well, stated Igor Munteanu, ex-MP and former Ambassador to the United States, during the latest installment of IPN’s Political Culture Debates.
According to Igor Munteanu, Chisinau’s longstanding policy of small steps is a “constant concession” to Tiraspol, as it creates “the illusion of a parity of power” between the two banks. The ex-ambassador says that Chisinau must discourage the secessionist policy of Tiraspol through tough restrictions on businesspeople based in the Transnistrian region.
“As long as there is an unconstitutional army stationed on the left side of the Nistru that can attack us at any time, we cannot say that we have peace, but rather a latent war. The Republic of Moldova needs to overcome this fatalist attitude, where you think there’s nothing you can do because the Russian Federation is so powerful, and therefore we have no alternative but to buy energy from the left bank. What we can actually do is apply elements of a policy of deterrence. That is, limit the capacities of the Transnistrian elites to impose their will in political, economic, social, and military affairs. We have to use democratic conditionality on any kind of interests of Transnistrian groups, for example, to do trade with the EU and with the right bank of the Nistru”, said Igor Munteanu.
According to the expert, Chisinau needs to put an end to the abuses of Tiraspol by compelling the left bank businesses to comply with national legislation. In this context, he brought the example of the Rybnitsa Steelworks MMZ, one of the largest contributors to the separatist region’s budget.
“The policy should be changed in relation to those employed in the de facto law enforcement and security of the Transnistrian regime, from the special services to the Transnistrian army. Without these elements of deterrence, the Republic of Moldova is extremely volatile in its intention to settle this conflict. The conditionality formulated by the European Council in relation to the Republic of Moldova regarding de-oligarchization also refers to the types of policies that Chisinau must have in relation to Transnistria. The micro-oligarchs in Transnistria are very influential because no one has ever imposed restrictive conditions on them”, he stressed.
Igor Munteanu says that Chisinau must diversify its energy sources in order to reduce its dependence on the Kuchurgan Power Plant. The energy dependence on the left bank was artificially maintained by the previous governments, as corruption dominated the processes, says Igor Munteanu.
“Access to gas out of thin air, or money out of thin air is the problem. As long as this state of affairs is tolerated, there will be no desire on the left bank to seek compromise. And for the right bank, if it doesn’t look for alternatives, it will remain at the mercy of the elites of Tiraspol. For many years, this hasn’t been done because of complicity and corruption in Chisinau. This has been tolerated, by Moldova’s foreign partners among others, based on the wrong idea that in this way the two banks are getting closer, but it’s only certain pockets that have gotten closer together. As long as the same practices from the Plahotniuc era continue to be tolerated, we are only adding to the delusion”, said Igor Munteanu.
The debate titled “Moldova’s independence with a Transnistrian birthmark” was the 260th installment of the Political Culture Series, run by IPN with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
