“Perhaps it’s time we developed a plan? Call it whatever you like – the Keever Plan, after all. Let’s bring all of our community’s efforts together, because partner support is conscious, consistent and very important. And it’s especially important right now. I believe that it is time to join forces and coordinate them in order to have our own plan, to have a national vision – in the way we think is right,” said Ion Manole, Executive Director of Promo-LEX Association, at the conference “Human Rights in Transnistria: Challenges, Answers, Reintegration and the European Way”.
The expert emphasized that the plan should be inclusive and the process very open – with the participation of people from the left bank of the Nistru River:
“Because people from the left bank of the Nistru River are not only the so-called authorities; we have more than 90% of citizens there who are waiting for an opportunity to participate, to be heard. And believe me, their opinion is extremely valuable and necessary in this process”.
The representative of the EU Delegation, Mate Cichai, noted that EU integration and national reintegration should be two separate processes.
“But we should not forget that both have great potential for mutual reinforcement. For example, Moldova’s integration into the EU can create opportunities for national reintegration,” he said.
Cichai added that the pressure on fundamental rights and the rule of law is particularly acute in the Transnistrian region, directly affecting people’s lives, freedoms, security and safety:
“I am confident that Moldova’s path to EU membership can open up opportunities to advance the reintegration process, and I hope you see this process as a chance. I hope that Moldova’s EU accession process can create benefits for Transnistrian citizens as well.”
