Moldova: “Federalization ruled out; Transnistria to receive special status”

Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister for Integration Gheorghe Balan has set priorities for the year. Among others, Balan spotlighted the resolution of the Transnistrian conflict. A number of meetings are planned with Vitaly Ignatyev, Transnistria’s chief negotiator, acting minister of foreign affairs, Balan told journalists at a meeting organized by Promo-LEX Association, a human rights NGO.

“In early April, the mediators and observers in the Transnistrian peace process will arrive in Moldova. They will officially invite Tiraspol and Chisinau to sit down at a negotiation table in the 5+2 format (Moldova and Transnistria – conflicting parties; Russia, Ukraine, OSCE – mediators; European Union and U.S.  - observers) that came to a standstill in 2014. OSCE –chair Germany is expected to organize a confidence-building conference in June,” Balan said.

In his words, Chisinau advocates just for giving a special legal status to Transnistria and waves any discussions on possible federalization of Moldova.

The deputy prime minister said the authorities remain committed to the protection of the rights of the citizens residing in the Transnistrian region.

In the course of George Balan’s meeting with journalists, Moldovan News Agency IPN reports, Promo-LEX Association CEO Ion Manole addressed the country’s leadership for more active steps to protect human rights in Transnistria.  He suggested creating special centers to shelter internally displaced people i.e. the people “who had to flee the left bank of the Dniester for the right one, those who need support, shelter and earning.”

There is almost no civil society in the Transnistrian region, Manole said, the people living are unable to help others.  “The Administration of Transnistria does not allow NGOs from the Right Bank of the Dniester to conduct a monitoring there,” he said.