Sergiu Ostaf: Moldova would be reunified in 4-5 years, if the strategy chosen by the country’s administration is developed. Info-Prim Neo survey

Info-Prim Neo News Agency has launched an opinion poll on the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict among leaders of political parties, representatives of the civil society, and opinion shapers from both banks of the Nistru. The survey is aimed at finding out viewpoints that could contribute to the improvement of the present situation. All the participants were asked the same two questions. This time, the answers are given by Sergiu Ostaf, the executive director of the Resource Center of Moldovan Nongovernmental Organizations for Human Rights – CReDO. [ - How can the Transnistrian dispute be solved in your opinion? In what way, through what mechanisms and during what terms is a settlement possible?] - The reunification of Moldova is a long-term process in which the political process is only a component part. Steps must be taken in different areas. First of all, the constitutional authorities should take consistent and consecutive measures and pursue policies to continue the democratic reforms and put the laws adopted under the EU-Moldova Plan of Action into practice. This will create more favorable conditions for reintegration, will make the process more attractive for the residents from the left bank of the Nistru that are still loyal to the constitutional authorities, and will reduce the number of arguments against reunification of the Transnistrian authorities. The constitutional authorities should work out a set of policies regarding the facilitation of movement and the social, medical and educational rights of the Transnistria residents in a move to increase their interest in reunification. The registration of the Transnistrian companies with the Moldovan authorities and the granting of fiscal concessions are a step forward and can serve as example. At political level, the Moldovan authorities should continue developing good relations with the partners from the EU and the US and step up the cooperation with Ukraine, including the main political parties from this country. The strategic dialogue with Russia must be continued at different levels: 1) establishment of a dialogue with the new Russian president; 2) continuation of the dialogue with the Russian Premier, especially given his increasing influence in Russia’s foreign policy; 3) strengthening of the bilateral relations between the parliaments of the two states; 4) initiation of a dialogue with Russia’s Foreign Ministry and Security Council at technical level The given measures should be implemented by maintaining the position regarding the withdrawal of the foreign troops from the territory of Moldova and the commitments made by the EU, the US and Ukraine in the political negotiation process. [ - How do you think, how efficient and relevant to the created situation are the actions taken by the administration of Moldova at present? When do you think the effort made by the authorities will begin to produce results and what results we can expect?] As a matter of fact, given the state of affairs in Moldova, the political direction chosen to solve the conflict is appropriate, i.e.: 1) the homework for democratization; 2) development of strategic relations with the EU, the US and Ukraine and the reestablishment of the dialogue with Russia; 3) establishment of a dialogue with the Transnistrian authorities. The given direction must be better systematized and be more consequent and the measures should cover more dimensions, in the way explained in the answer to the first question. The degree of efficiency proven by the results is moderate, especially as regards the internal democratization, because there are no comprehensive policies to make the reunification look more attractive for the residents from the left bank of the Nistru. The cooperation relations with the Ukrainian authorities are insufficient. Moldova would be reunified in 4-5 years (on average term), if the strategy chosen by the country’s administration is continued and developed, being backed by the EU and the US and in which Russia would play a substantial role. In the following period, Russia would make only political declarations that would favor Moldova’s reunification. These positive signs must be used to achieve a stable result on average term.