TRANSNISTRIAN CONFLICT IS RIPE ENOUGH FOR SETTLEMENT - FRANCO FRATTINI

The Transnistrian conflict has become ripe enough for settlement, believes OSCE Special Representative on Transnistria Franco Frattini.

The diplomat said in an interview with "The European Truth" that quite many successes have been achieved in the conflict settlement field: the Sides have resolved the question of the neutral-design license plates for Transnistrian non-commercial private motor vehicles; there is a certain progress in resolving the land access dispute in the Dubasari Raion. These are indeed concrete achievements, he believes.

Speaking of the possibility of starting negotiations on a political status for the Transnistrian region, Franco Frattini highlighted the desire seen both in Chisinau and Tiraspol to commence such talks, but he believes that before this, it is necessary to put into life all the previously reached accords - in the economic, social and humanitarian spheres.

"If we do all this now, then by the end of this year we can hold a 5+2 format meeting in Rome, where I will tell my OSCE successor that the negotiations have become possible. My strategy is not to open political questions unless all previous steps have been made, because when we try to achieve everything simultaneously, we block everything. I don't want to be too ambitious and achieve nothing. I am sure that Moldova and Transnistria will not agree, either, to open the political basket unless other, previous results have been reached", said Franco Frattini. The diplomat underlined that unofficial consultations on the political side of the Transnistrian conflict settlement have already been held, "and at any rate Transnistria will be a region with a special legal status within the Republic of Moldova, whose sovereignty may not be divided. This has already been decided on".

Commenting on a possible role of Transnistria as a blocking factor in the question of Moldova's development vector, the OSCE Special Representative said that he has always been against counter-posing of the Easter and Western vectors.

"I understand the situation in Transnistria inhabited but many [ethnic] Ukrainians, Russians and Moldovans. And I don't think that these people should be placed before making a choice", said Frattini.

Commenting on Moldova's striving for the EU membership, the diplomat said: "The membership is a question of the future, which is quite far yet. Now we should focus not on the membership but on strengthening the cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union".

"Much will change when Transnistrians come to feel the advantages of a closer cooperation with the European Union. For example, the European Union gives money for the renovation of the bridge [Gura Bicului/Bicioc Bridge across the Dniester River]. And when the people understand that thanks to EU they are going to have a reliable bridge, by which Tiraspol trucks will be going to Bucharest and farther, then the Transnistrians will start thinking: "Maybe this is important for us, too?" said Franco Frattini.