The EU’s Ambassador in Chisinau Peter Michalko said the federalization of the Republic of Moldova is not possible at the moment. This subject hasn’t been discussed on the platforms of negotiation between Chisinau and Tiraspol. There is a general form for settling the Transnistrian conflict approved by all the countries of Europe, but this does not involve federalization, IPN reports.
“At this moment, the process hasn’t reached the level when the settlement method can be discussed. We know what the general form will be. This is clear. It was approved by all the OSCE member states, Europe and this is exactly the line that is supported by the EU as well: sovereignty, territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders, special status for the Transnistrian region. Federalization is not possible now, either on the table or in a somehow hidden way,” stated the diplomat.
Peter Michalko noted the European Union showed for many times that it supports the citizens and the Republic of Moldova as a friend state, a neighbor, an associate member of the EU. “Our stand in the Transnistrian settlement process was always a principled one and based on sovereignty and territorial integrity. Surely, the Republic of Moldova should be a state that enjoys all the possibilities, which will decide as to the cooperation with the foreign partners, how to develop and be thus sovereign. This is the sense of our position,” said the Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova.
He also said that there are conditions that Chisinau should meet to get the next disbursements from the EU. The fulfillment of the conditions will ensure the continuation of the EU financing. “Among the most important conditions are those related to the fight against corruption and the justice sector reform. If we speak about the macro-financial assistance, there are very concrete technical conditions, but they refer also to the justice sector reform, the regulatory framework and the energy sector and they should be met. Furthermore, there is the condition that a program with the International Monetary Fund should exist and the positive assessment of the political preconditions should continue,” stated Peter Michalko.