... to Moldova; Kevin Tait, representative of the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna; and Leo Vass, Second Secretary of the Swedish Embassy in Russia. In the course of the meeting the sides discussed state and prospects of the Transdniestrian settlement, Russia-Moldova relations, as well as some general challenges of interaction between Russia and the European Union at the present stage.
... contrast to Moldova, where no noticeable change has taken place in Transnistria since 1992.
This situation is paradoxical because a rapprochement between Moscow and Chisinau could confer many strategic advantages on the Kremlin. In this respect, better Russian-Moldovan relations would thus hinder any possible advance of the European Union and NATO in Molodva, and could also force Ukraine to reconsider its diplomatic approach vis-à-vis the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Moreover, the strengthening of military cooperation between Moscow and Chisinau would increase pressure ...
... any positive effect on the country’s development. However, the forecast is right to stress that whatever political changes do take place with regard to Moldova's political situation, it is improbable that this will push the country's economy towards Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The main question in Moldova’s relations with the European Union at present is whether the country’s leadership is prepared to reform the political system effectively and whether the European Union is prepared for dialogue with all the Moldovan political forces, rather than continuing its strategy ...
The “West or Russia” choice cuts off many additional opportunities for Eastern Partnership countries
Vyacheslav Sutyrin:
Russia and Belarus: ... ... with six eastern countries of the former socialist bloc. The collaboration program with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine was primarily intended as a means for introducing these countries to the European experience and approaches ...
...
It is vital that Moscow play an active role in Moldova.
However, a more probable scenario is “soft unfreezing” in the shape of increased integration cooperation between Chisinau and the West and attempts to create an attractive image of Moldova, which has chosen the European Union over Russia. These actions may be accompanied by demands for final compliance with the terms of the OSCE Istanbul Document of 1999 on the withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria, while peacekeeping forces would be criticized and the activities of the ...
The clash of Russian and Western geopolitical vectors has generated a direct confrontation between the new government of Moldova and heterogeneous opposition. In mid-January 2016, there was formed a parliamentary majority led by Marian Lupa’s and Vladimir Plahotniuc’s Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM), whose views differ fundamentally from the position of so ...
... economic dependence of Transnistria on Russia will grow, but the effectiveness of the support rendered will fall, progressively failing to assuage the exacerbating difficulties. At the same time, Transnistria is constantly improving its economic ties with Moldova and the European Union.
Russian-Ukrainian relations present a key factor for the TMR survival.
There are additional complications for Moscow over the development of its approach due the need to regard Transnistria in the Ukraine context, because Russian-Ukrainian relations ...
... simultaneously (2003-2004). Russia’s proposals, known as the “Kozak Plan” were entirely aligned with Russian national interests and strengthened the political
status quo
of that time with promises of cheap gas prices and access to Russian export markets.
For its part, the European Union offered Moldova its own clear-cut and easy-to-understand plan of modernisation through political association and economic integration, supported by significant technical and financial assistance for its implementation. During the process of harmonising Moldova’s ...
... for International Development at the Institute of Contemporary Development; Vladimir Olenchenko, Senior Research Fellow of the European Union Studies Sector at RAS Institute of World Economy and International Relations; Alla Yazykova, Head of the Mediterranean ... ... and Entrepreneurs; Kornel Churja, Head of Competitive Society Department at Viitorul; and Galina Shelar, Executive Director of Moldovan Centre for Strategic Studies and Reforms.
Roundtable “Russia and the EU: in Search for Ways for Cooperation within Common Neighborhood on the Example of Moldova and Transnistria”
... Union’s ‘Eastern policy’ the current situation is reminiscent of what happened in September 2008. At that time, immediately after the August war in Georgia, the European Union decided not to become involved in a direct confrontation with Russia. Instead, the European Union decided to strengthen its relations with the six countries to the east, specifically Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
I think we are going to see a similar intensification of the European Union’s ‘Eastern policy’, including its relations with Ukraine. The new Ukrainian government is far more committed to close ...