Vladimir Voronin: when it comes to Moldova, obsolete geopolitical doctrines are brought back to life

“Regretfully, we observe that when it comes to Moldova, the oldest geopolitical doctrines and the most extravagant scenarios are brought back to life. Moldova is suspected of being part of one or another asymmetric agreement”, Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin stated at the 44th Conference on Security Policy, held in Munich, Germany, Info-Prim Neo reports with reference to the Presidential Press Service. The standards and methods applied in other conflict regions are absolutely inapplicable for Moldova, Voronin said, stressing that Moldova, by its nature, rejects asymmetric and obsolete solutions. It is not a region of competition, but a territory of collaboration and compromise, he said. Vladimir Voronin voiced optimism that Moldova could be the country that would manage to get over the serious systemic contradictions between different modalities of approaching the European security issue, in the centre of which Moldova is situated at present. The Moldovan President supported his optimism first of all starting from Moldova’s European bid. “No matter how different Moldova’s faces could be, it is absolutely clear that it is Europe”, Vladimir Voronin emphasised. “It is Europe, even in a miniature form, but at the same time in a mosaic way, based on the grouping of different values, on tolerance and openness”, the President said, stressing that the Euro therapy policy proved to be the best solution for Moldova. “We witness how based on Moldova’s example, a new mechanism of sovereignty and territorial integrity re-establishment comes into being. This pattern could be called settlement by Euromodernisation”, Voronin added. The second argument brought by the President was Moldova’s neutrality, guaranteed by the Constitution. The future development, in the practical sense of neutrality, the interdiction of stationing foreign armed forces and military objectives on the territory of the country can have a constructive prospect, Vladimir Voronin said. “The demilitarisation of the conflicting parties, the unification of their human resources in professional contingencies, ready to perform only pacifying functions, is, in our opinion, the way for the development of security principles, which is determined by our option for neutrality”, the President said. Vladimir Voronin pointed out that it is evident that namely in the present format all sides and co-mediators involved in the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict feel comfortable. “It is difficult to underestimate the fact that Russia, Ukraine, the European Union and the US start from the idea that the settlement of the Transnistrian problem is possible only on the principles of Moldova’s territorial integrity and sovereignty – all agree that Transnistria must obtain a sound guaranteed status as part of a single state”, the head of state said. During the works of the 44th Conference on Security Polity, Vladimir Voronin met the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana. Both officials voiced support in favour of the constructive dialogue established between the Moldovan and EU leadership. In this respect, the officials mentioned the importance of the visit in Moldova of the European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, planned for 14-15 February, 2008. Vladimir Voronin also met Daniel Fried, the US Assistant Secretary of State. The American official reconfirmed the US position regarding the Transnistrian settlement on the basis of Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing the importance of resuming in the nearest future the negotiations in the “5+2” format. The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, David Kramer, who represents the US in the talks on Transnistria settlement in extended format.