Russia is ready to facilitate dialogue between Chisinau and Tiraspol as a mediator and guarantor in the process of settling Transnistria, said the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova, commenting on the position of Moldovan President Maia Sandu that the republic can join the EU without the Left Bank.
“I believe that what is needed now, rather than useless declarations, is a real dialogue between the parties, aimed at strengthening mutual trust and resolving urgent issues of interaction. Of course, with international help.” – the diplomat pointed out.
According to Zakharova, Sandu’s statement shows that the Republic of Moldova is ready to abandon the prospect of resolving the Transnistrian problem in favour of joining the European Union if necessary.
“There has been a long-standing debate in Chisinau about whether Moldova should join the EU with or without Pridnestrovie. Another statement by Moldovan President Sandu confirms once again that Chisinau is ready, if necessary, to abandon the prospect of solving the Transnistrian problem in pursuit of the “European dream.” It is obvious that its solution is not among Chisinau’s top priorities, and the Moldovan leadership considers Transnistria almost as an obstacle to Moldova’s entry into the EU.” – the spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed.
According to her, in this case, plans are being made to force Tiraspol to participate in the upcoming negotiations between Chisinau and Brussels.
“At the same time, the very debate on this issue in Chisinau demonstrates the depth of the Transnistrian problem, the degree of division between the banks of the Dniester,” — concluded Maria Zakharova.
Let us recall that the Moldovan authorities have secured Brussels’ support for the country to join the EU in two stages. First, the right-bank Moldova and then Transnistria. The Moldovan opposition has already accused Chisinau of abandoning its territory for the sake of European integration. Meanwhile, negotiations on the Transnistria agreement have been on hold since 2019, when the Moldovan side refused to fulfill its obligations. Following the outbreak of the military conflict in Ukraine, which also acts as a guarantor and mediator in this dialogue, the authorities of the Republic of Moldova stated that a return to the negotiating table will only be possible after the end of the war. They insist on reformatting the discussion platform by excluding Russia from it, strengthening the role of the SHA and the EU, as well as bringing Romania into the dialogue.
As reported EADaily Tiraspol has repeatedly stated that it does not consider Moldova’s European integration to be its business. Transnistria is on a course towards independence with subsequent free accession to the Russian Federation, as determined in the 2006 referendum. In addition, Gagauzia has also expressed its reluctance to join the European Union, warning that in that case the autonomy would exercise its right to self-determination.
