Transdnistria continues to claim the right to independence: there are even threats to hold a referendum on this issue. Negotiations on the Transdnistrian settlement have once again reached a deadlock. How can this situation be changed? What can Ukraine do? This is the subject of an interview with Adriaan JACOBOVITS DE SZEGED, special EU representative for the Republic of Moldova.
“What is the EU’s attitude to Transdnistria’s intention to hold a referendum on breaking away from Moldova?”
“There are no provisions in international law to allow Transdnistria to secede from Moldova. Therefore, all unilateral efforts of the Transdnistrian regime to achieve recognition of the breakaway self-proclaimed republic are a step to nowhere. Under international law, only a state that is part of another state can secede. Examples of this are Czechoslovakia and Serbia and Montenegro, where these states had the legitimate right of secession.
“Naturally, all this has nothing to do with Moldova. During a recent visit to Chisinau and Tiraspol, Belgium’s Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, the current OSCE chairman, told the Transdnistrian leader Igor Smirnov in no uncertain terms that the OSCE would not send observers to the so-called secession referendum. We uphold the territorial integrity of Moldova and work within these very limits. So the EU will not recognize any referendum of this kind and will not send its observers there. Our stand is quite clear.”
“What are some ways of resolving the Transdnistrian conflict? Can Russia influence the position of the Transdnistrian regime?”
“It is common knowledge that Russia has a great influence on the Transdnistrian leaders. Every time I meet Russian representatives I insist on some things about which we should come to terms. Firstly, this is Moldova’s territorial integrity. Russia recognized this before, so it should not support separatists who advocate the secession of an unrecognized republic. Secondly, we think that there should be a single economic and customs territory, with businesses registered in one place: Chisinau, the capital of Moldova. Naturally, this should not lead to double taxation or violate property rights. These four questions are very important: territorial integrity, a single customs space, absence of double taxation, and inviolability of the right of ownership. Of paramount importance here is Viktor Yushchenko’s plan of settlement.”
“How can one persuade Transdnistria to make a more productive search for compromises?”
“We must work for the democratization of Transdnistria. I think there are forces there that understand this. They are aware that their region is located in Europe, and there can be no authoritarian or police states on our continent. Quite a few Transdnistrians understand that they can only conduct full-fledged business if Transdnistria is internationally recognized as part of Moldova. There are also people who consider it necessary to democratize the territory of Transdnistria. So we should work on these issues via the OSCE.
“Incidentally, Ukraine and Moldova, as well as the OSCE, have suggested that Tiraspol’s leaders receive a mission that could assess democracy in Transdnistria and offer recommendations on what should be done to hold a free and fair election.”
“Have they accepted this proposal?”
“No. The Transdnistrians have been studying this point for quite a long time now. I think that politicians in a self-proclaimed republic, who consider their regime democratic, are supposed to be interested in inviting a mission like this.”
“How do you assess the role of Ukraine in the Transdnistrian settlement? What more can the Ukrainian government do to resolve this conflict?”
“It is very important that Ukraine continue to take part in the political settlement of the Transdnistrian conflict. Smirnov hopes that the Ukrainian leadership will revert to the old position that existed before the current customs regulations were introduced on the Ukraine-Moldova border. But I don’t think his hopes will come true. It is extremely important that Ukraine keep its policy unchanged in this matter. I am sure this will be the case even after the new Ukrainian government is formed.”
“How long will it take Transdnistria to recognize that the plan offered by the international community is the only solution to the Transdnistrian problem?”
“I think this will be possible if the new government of Ukraine does not veer from the chosen course and if we manage to enlist Russia’s support to resolve this problem by preserving the territorial integrity of Moldova rather than by way of secession.”
“Under what conditions can Russia support this solution to the Transdnistrian conflict?”
“This requires negotiations with Russia at the top level. Russia should be interested in a friendly Moldova. I think this is what should be discussed with Russia. The time of old concepts, such as the Cold War, is gone.”
