The round of Transnistrian conflict settlement talks in the 5+2 format that opens today, May 23, in Odessa will be tense if the Moldovan delegation tackles the situation created in the Security Zone  following the unilateral steps taken by Tiraspol. Expert in the Transnistrian issue Eduard Tugui has told IPN that the delegation of Chisinau is obliged to raise the actions taken in the Security Zone, especially in Bender.

The expert of the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives “Viitorul” considers that no important decision will be taken in this round. Chisinau is not sufficiently ready for these talks, while Tiraspol will invoke the difficult political context on the right side of the Nistru. At least the unilateral decision to transfer the so-called legislature of the region from Tiraspol to Bender should be addressed.

“In Odessa, they wanted to discuss such technical problems as the opening of a bridge. But the latest actions of Tiraspol will make the atmosphere at the talks tense. Surely, Russia could, can and will be able to influence Tiraspol’s decisions. I’m convinced that the important decisions are taken by Tiraspol together with the Russian Federation,” said the expert.

Earlier, the Transnistrian administration banned the Moldovan police officers from moving via Bender in uniform. Afterward, it threatened to disconnect two Moldovan-administered penitentiaries situated in Bender from the water and power supplies. After the unsuccessful attempt to set up two additional checkpoints near Varnita village, Tiraspol decided to transfer its ‘supreme soviet’ to Bender.

The agenda of the Odessa round of talks includes issues from the socioeconomic basket and the dismantling of the funicular connecting Rezina and Rybnitsa towns, which is not functional and may collapse.