International relations expert Ion Tăbârță said the Republic of Moldova should have a neutral, balanced position on what is happening in the Middle East, but actions to protect the citizens who can find themselves in the middle of those events in a particular context should be taken. The political class should not make somehow biased statements, while the actions of the politicians, including the statements of some of the state institutions, should not be in favor of an international player or another one. The opinions were stated in a public debate entitled “Military and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East: impact on the Republic of Moldova and position of the Republic of Moldova”, which was staged by IPN News Agency.
The expert noted the fact that Moldova is not a big international player, but a small state in a geopolitical context, where there is the co-influence of two spaces, should be taken into account. “There is the Western space institutionalized through the EU and NATO and the post-Soviet space in which the Russian Federation shows an evident interest. From the viewpoint of the legislation, the Republic of Moldova is a neural state that cannot become involved in international actions of such a kind. There is a document that regulates the relations with NATO – the Partnership for Peace – but this does not engage the Republic of Moldova, even if it is decided that the NATO troops will intervene in that area. That’s why the Republic of Moldova, besides diplomatic reactions, cannot and does not have the capacity to become involved. However, in a particular international context, the Republic of Moldova can be affected by the events in the Middle East” stated Ion Tăbârță.
According to him, the position of the international players will count a lot in reaching a consensus in that region of the world. For now, the Russian Federation has adopted a rather prudent position as the situation is very contradictory. In particular aspects, Russia’s position coincides with that of Turkey, while in others differs considerably. Also, the Russian Federation would not like the United States’ influence in that region to grow, but a particular policy promoted by the U.S. can be favorable in a particular context.
“As regards particular understandings at international level, we should understand very well that the Russian Federation is interested in what is happening here, in our region, in the Republic of Moldova. And we now see a political return of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Moldova and possibly even a particular consensus with particular European countries as regards, for example, the same Transnistrian dispute. It seems that a common way that could be that start of the process of politically resolving the Transnistrian conflict can be paved. The Russian Federation could support the U.S. in particular actions in the Middle East. Instead, the U.S. could support or at least could give its consent to particular actions of the Russian Federation. We should understand that Russia’s retaliation in the region can be stopped through the involvement of the great powers. If the great powers do not become involved here, in the region, it will be hard for the Republic of Moldova to discontinue the increasing involvement of the Russian Federation here. That’s why the Republic of Moldova in a particular context can be affected by what is happening in the Middle East,” stated Ion Tăbârță.
According to him, Moldova’s position within the international institutions is important. As regards the ensuring of security, Moldova’s neutrality is rather symbolic in character and this was a geopolitical instrument of the Russian Federation. “Our political class should be balanced, neutral and should not make somehow biased statements, while the actions of the politicians, including the statements of some of the state institutions, should not be in favor of an international player or another. The Russian Federation’s position counts a lot for the current administration of the Republic of Moldova, to say it openly. We should not bank on an eventual position of the Russian Federation that is neutral for now. It is an expectancy game, but we understand that the Russian Federation, unlike our republic, is a big player. It is a big actor. We should be neutral here,” stated Ion Tăbârță.
The debate “Military and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East: impact on the Republic of Moldova and position of the Republic of Moldova” was the 123rd installment of the series “Developing political culture through public debates” that is supported by the German foundation “Hanns Seidel”.
