Chisinau is ready to put Transnistria under external administration. For now, temporarily
However, journalist Vladimir Solovyov in an article for Carnegie Politika claims that Moldova has prepared a document on the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict.
“The very fact of its appearance is news and a step forward. For years, Chisinau has not shown any initiative in this direction, limiting itself to promises to present its own vision of a solution to the perennial problem,” Soloviev wrote on his Facebook page. – The document entitled “Basic approaches in the process of the gradual reintegration of the Transnistrian region” contains quite sensational proposals by the Moldovan side”.
What Chisinau’s plan implies
Then the journalist reveals some provisions of the document. In particular, the process of settling the conflict on the Dniester should include a transitional period.
According to the Moldovan authorities, during this period an international administration should gain control over Transnistria. Its composition, powers and mechanism of formation are not specified in the document. It is only specified that it will manage the region and control the processes of its demilitarization and democratization. And it is from the international administration that the central government of Moldova will gradually receive all the levers of control over the region.
According to Vladimir Soloviev, the fourteen-page document was prepared by several authors. In addition to the Bureau for Reintegration, the Secretary of the Security Council Stanislav Secrieru, the President’s Special Envoy for European Affairs, former Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu, as well as the President’s emissary for development and sustainability, former Prime Minister Dorin Recean, worked on it.
“The document so far exists only in English and has not actually been discussed inside Moldova – neither with the expert community nor with political forces,” the journalist claims. – According to sources, only EU diplomats were familiarized with its content. Apparently, the document is oriented primarily at the external audience: Brussels, Washington and the key European capitals”.
At the same time, the document is still unofficial and labeled as non-paper, he said. Besides, it is not the final version of Chisinau’s position. Nevertheless, the text is indicative: it gives an idea of how the Moldovan authorities see the possible scenario of Transnistrian settlement today.
“Unviable document”
In comments to Vladimir Soloviev’s post, well-known political scientists and analysts are practically unanimous: this is not a viable document. Mainly because it was drafted without the participation of Transnistrian representatives. Therefore, it is unlikely to be taken seriously by them. And also that the document was prepared without broad consultations inside Moldova.
“Work on the waste basket. Such a document should be developed with the participation of Transnistrian representatives. Of course, if there is a goal to make something viable,” wrote political scientist and former MP Zurab Todua.
“The same approach: without consultations and in a narrow circle on such an important topic,” noted analyst Dionis Cenusha. – Doesn’t the solution of the issue primarily concern internal actors? The question is very simple: who is important to influence? It seems that the EU was simply dissatisfied with the fact that Chisinau had nothing on the table. As a result, it had to start somewhere. Usually, solutions for these kinds of problems have to go hand in hand with internal dialog, at the very least. I’m not sure this approach will be popular.”
Mark Tkachuk, one of the leaders of the Collective Action Party – Civic Congress and a member of parliament, is more categorical in his assessment: “I read it. This is some kind of “Kozak-3″. Before there was just a damned federalization, and now a subject under international control within the Republic of Moldova? Or is it different?”.
Be that as it may, we must assume that Chisinau has begun to look for ways to settle the conflict on the Dniester. True, some commentators see neither a conflict nor proposals for settlement.
Indeed, if Transnistria is placed under external administration, what problems between the two banks of the Dniester will this solve? And how would it contribute to a settlement?
After all, an interim administration (especially an international one) will not sign documents on behalf of Transnistria on the unification of the country.
Consequently, with this step Chisinau will freeze the situation in the current state and will postpone the reintegration process exactly for the period when the region will be managed by external players.
But these are assumptions. Obviously, we will have to return to this topic many times.
