Analysts say Chisinau’s moves in settling the Transnistria issue are veiled in secrecy

The actions meant to settle the Transnistrian dispute are taken behind a veil of utter secrecy and it is very hard to obtain reliable information, even if you are a deputy in the Parliament, MP Anatol Taranu told on Thursday, June 5, the Press Club meeting. This opinion was also shared by Iulian Fruntasu, European Initiative Programme’s Director of the Soros Foundation-Moldova. Commenting on reports of a Moldova-Russia secret deal on the Transnistria settlement, Taranu said that the Moldovan society as a whole wasn’t engaged in formulating policies for settling the conflict. The documents are drafted in a very narrow circle, with the public opinion left behind the process. “We have already lived a sad experience with the Kozak Plan. With things developing in the same manner, the then risk could reappear, maybe even with worse consequences”, he said. If the settlement of the conflict is accelerated at the cost of a weighty say for the Transnistrian political class, it will seriously put the democratisation process at risk. In all probability, this will mean that Moldova will be anchored to the Eurasian space and lose its chances for a future European integration, the deputy underlined. Iulian Fruntasu said that there is kind of susceptibility of the presidential institution when it comes to foreign policy. “All the presidents of Moldova were susceptible to pressures by Moscow, and the lack of transparency has been a usual trait for us when it came to preparing and signing documents of crucial importance for the entire society”, the expert said. Fruntasu mentioned that there are several settlement plans, because usually the Russians negotiate several versions and pull the ace out their sleeve when they consider it necessary, although their ultimate goal is one: to transform Moldova into a province ruled from outside.