SMALL STEPS STRATEGY DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN MOLDOVA’S REINTEGRATION - EXPERT

Expert Mihai Mogaldea of the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE) commented on the recent 5+2 Bratislava negotiations.

In an analytical note he says that the strategy of small steps, proposed by the sides in the process of Transnistrian settlement in early 2010s cannot be regarded as synonym of the country reintegration project so far.

“The German (2016), the Austrian (2017) and the Italian (2018) OSCE chairmanships were making efforts for achieving certain compromises between the countries, even despite the fact that some solutions do not meet Chisinau’s strategic interests”, he said.

According to Mogaldea, this is mostly due to the fact that Tiraspol is taking almost no steps towards, using a certain diplomatic legitimacy due to the participation in the process. One of such examples is the respect for human rights – this issue is left out of the negotiation process so far.

The fulfillment of measures, proposed by the Berlin+ package [which was the starting point in Bratislava as well], will help supporting a stable dialog with Tiraspol, but their importance remains peripheral, without considerable progress in the 2nd and 3rd baskets [economic and political issues of negotiations].

“In this connection, a complex approach to political, economic, social issues and security issues is necessary, which must be reflected in Moldovan authorities’ approach to negotiations”, Mogaldea said.

The expert maintains that Moldovan authorities need a consolidated position for progressing in the Transnistrian conflict settlement and the country reintegration.

“This position must reflect a common vision of the Government and the President and must be achieved on the basis of clear priorities, goals in short-term, mid-term and long-term perspective on the issues from all the three baskets”, the expert maintains.