... the Transdniestrian Settlement Process
On February 25, 2021, a group of European diplomats working on OSCE issues visited Russian International Affairs Council. The group was chaired by Ambassador Thomas Mayr-Harting, Special Representative of OSCE ... ... included: Robert Gerschner, Plenipotentiary Minister of the Austrian Embassy in Moscow; Claus Neukirch, Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova; Kevin Tait, representative of the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna; and Leo Vass, Second Secretary of the Swedish Embassy in ...
... Euro-Atlantic institutions.
Moscow's cautious approach is all the more paradoxical given that Russia has sympathisers in Moldova with the two territories of Transdniestria and Gagauzia, Tiraspol and Comrat, wishing for rapprochement and even integration within Russia.
For Transnistria, which has been de facto independent of Moldova since the end of the Cold War and whose desire for integration into the Russian Federation was demonstrated by the 2006 referendum with 97.5% of the votes in favour, a diplomatic rapprochement between Moldova and Russia could improve relations ...
... finally, Moldova’s desire to maintain the status quo.
The interests of the business elites in Moldova and Transnistria are much closer than political news bulletins might suggest. These interests involve income from trafficking, mining, non-payment of Russian gas supplies to Transnistria, etc. Relations between the people of Moldova and Transnistria are well developed. Many Transnistrian residents hold Moldovan passports, including over 240,000 people who have the right to vote in Moldovan elections.
Therefore, it would be wholly inaccurate to say that relations between Moldova ...
... this sense, the country has successfully survived the previous several decades. It is, however, evident that Russia will perceive the potential threats associated with Belarus very painfully and certain forces might attempt to take advantage of this.
Moldova and Transnistria: continuing freeze
Sergey Rekeda:
The Union State of Russia and Belarus: Searching for a Development Vector
Transnistria can be described as a textbook post-Soviet example of a frozen, unresolved conflict. The territory is entering the new decade with its status still unrecognized, which complicates economic ...
... Kozak Memorandum. In particular, Dodon has stated that the final draft of the settlement is to be approved through a national referendum, rather than by a theory-based decision. He also believes the draft document will have to be a compromise between Moldova, Transnistria, Russia, the European Union, the United States and Ukraine. Finally, Dodon is not fixated on the idea of federalization which, after 2003, became toxic in Moldova because it is associated with the notion of pro-Russian Transnistria and Gagauzia receiving ...
... underway. RIAC experts share their insights into the challenges facing the CIS and its prospects with the editorial board of the Russian International Affairs Council.
Russia's presidency of the CIS: What are our goals?
Irina Bolgova
, PhD in History, Post-Soviet ... ... there are no attempts to force changes, and changes appear to be unlikely in the foreseeable future.
As for the conflict in Transnistria, there are some positive dynamics due to Igor Dodon’s victory in the presidential election. While frequent meetings ...
... Moldova–Transnistria conflict was touched upon at a conference in Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) on April 11, 2011. URL:
http://mfa-pmr.org/ru/GTm
(in Russian).
5
. Transnistria: Who is the Boss Now? URL:
http://totul.md/ru/newsitem/838005.html
(in Russian).
6
. In this format, Moldova and Transnistria were the parties to the conflict, Russia and Ukraine were guarantor countries, the OSCE was the mediator and the European Union and the United States were observers.
7
. Nina Shtanski: Interaction between Russia and the EU in Transnistria ...
... international civilian observers,
[4]
and
is gaining more avenues to make the life of the peacekeepers even harder after transit through Ukraine was discontinued.
Even more trouble seems to be in store concerning the task of reinforcing the Operative Group of Russian Forces in Transnistria, since Moldova is insisting on its removal. Chisinau is accusing Moscow of violating its obligations under the Istanbul compromise of 1999.
[5]
In turn, Russia is conditioning the possible reduction of its presence on progress being made towards reaching a settlement....
... fourteen interdepartmental agreements were signed between the Russian Federation and Transdniestria. In order to expand in the Russian market, it is necessary to promote the introduction of Customs Union standards in Transdniestria, as well as opening certification ... ... accredited with the Customs Union.
Possible political space for compromises on trade-related issues
www.noi.md
Pavel Kandel:
Transnistria in the Shadow of the Ukraine Crisis
From a technical point of view, Transdniestria and the Republic of Moldova could identify compromises for creating a regional free trade area, and could even expand it to include elements of a ...
... middle on foreign policy. That the pro-European coalition was able to retain power was the result of direct violations of democratic norms (the pro-Russian Patria party was banned from running on the eve of the elections and limitations were placed on Moldovan citizens working in Russia from registering their votes). On the whole, the political fate of Transnistria depends largely on Russia. The Ukrainian situation has proven that the new-fangled Western sport of “teasing the Russian bear” comes at a price. The hardest hit will be those who accidentally get into the bear’s way. And ...
