European Union approach

Kalman Mizsei, European Union Special Representative for Moldova, visited Ukraine the other day and held consultations with Ukrainian government officials. He has been plying between Chi in u, Tiraspol, Kyiv, and Moscow for two years now in a hope to bring into motion the process of Transnistrian settlement. Is there any progress in the resolution of this 18-year-long conflict and what role can Ukraine, which borders upon Moldova and its Transnistrian region, play in this? This is the subject of an exclusive interview that Mr. Mizsei granted to The Day.

“TRANSNISTRIAN SETTLEMENT IS A VERY IMPORTANT AND GOOD TEST”

Mr. Mizsei, a year ago you said in an interview to The Day that you believed in the possibility of a successful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict. Can you say you are more optimistic or pessimistic a year later?

“2008 was a very difficult year in international relations. But I think there were also some positive points. Negotiations and multilateral consultations were underway even in the hardest moments of the year, during the Georgian crisis. I think we, participants of the 5+2 negotiating process, should do a lot of work. It is naturally difficult to forecast, but I would like to believe that after the April 5 Moldovan elections we will manage together to create a positive atmosphere for settlement. We see a lot of moments that could have a positive effect on reaching a settlement. But it should be noted that it is one of the few problems in the international relations on our continent, where we can achieve success if the spirit of cooperation prevails. I mean a well-balanced compromise between different interests.

“The second point is that our Russian partners wish to discuss various aspects of the overall European security. EU capitals are taking an approach that says that Transnistrian settlement is a very important and good test of whether there really is new cooperation on our continent. So I believe there are quite a few levers for our partners and us to solve this problem, for this 18-year-long conflict is a cold war relic, and we must resolve it.”

“THE WORLD CRISIS HAS HIT HARD THE TRANSNISTRIAN REGION”

What is your attitude to the statement made the German MP Markus Meckel, who recently visited Moldova and Transnistria and said that the European Union should be more intensively involved in the Transnistrian region and, hence, settlement?

“In the opinion of our partners, the role of the European Union in Moldova and Transnistrian settlement is increasing, as is the rapprochement between Moldova and the EU. The process of settlement is also underway. The EU is Moldova’s most important neighbor. More than a half of Moldovan exports go to the EU. Transnistria is also exporting very much to the EU. But, unfortunately, the global crisis has hit hard the Transnistrian region, so we are thinking on how we could, together with our partners, help Tiraspol in this situation. I think the emergence of this problem situation will give an impetus to greater cooperation and integration. In my opinion, the EU’s role and activity is constantly increasing in this case.”

Can we hope that the crisis can speed up the process of Transnistrian settlement?

“This depends on the philosophy that the participants will apply to this question. If this increases cooperation, there can emerge some positive moments here. If the crisis increases the conflict approach, there will be a complication in the Transnistrian settlement. But I hope that on our continent the current economic crisis will be prompting people to find new possibilities in the cooperation among all the partners interested in the resolution of this conflict.”

“WE CAN SEE A WAY TO AMBITIOUS PLANS IN THE SOLUTION OF CONCRETE PROBLEMS”

Do you think Moscow will be playing a more constructive role than it has been until now?

“We can see a way to ambitious plans in the solution of concrete problems. And the primary moment here is the Transnistrian conflict, which Brussels thinks can be really settled. And, as Moldova is heading for an election, we still have time to think over strategies. I would like to believe that it will be possible, after these elections, to draw up a well-balanced agreement in the 5+2 format, which will suit everybody, especially the people who live on the Dniester’s right and left banks in Moldova. I would like to note that, according to a recent survey carried out by the European Commission, both sides have suffered very high losses, but the Transnistrian region was hit the hardest. And Tiraspol, which is, in fact, in isolation and has an export-oriented economy, will lose still more if the solution of the conflict is delayed.

“A joint mission of the European Commission and the Office of the EU Special Representative recently analyzed the areas in which the EU can offer more effective support for the cooperation between Chi in u and Tiraspol for the benefit of the population of both banks.

“If there are realistic projects that will be able to significantly contribute to more intensive cooperation, the European Union may in this case offer substantial financial aid. For this process to be successful, the two sides should maintain partnership and show mutual respect, as well as make public statements aimed at strengthening the positive processes. I hope we are gradually moving in this direction.”

Is Romania playing a constructive role? The above-mentioned German MP said that Bucharest does not want to sign a border agreement with Moldova.

“Romania is an active EU member, and I am only receiving support from our Romanian colleagues in our European efforts. Last year Moldova’s exports to Romania and Russia were rising very rapidly. I am looking with tremendous optimism at the relations between Romania and Moldova in both economic and political terms, and I think that, in the interests of Transnistrian settlement, the Romanian-Moldovan relations should be both positive and deep.”

“UKRAINE, AS A DEMOCRATIC STATE, HAS EUROPEAN VALUES ON THE BASIS OF WHICH IT IS VERY EASY FOR US TO WORK TOGETHER”

You are in Kyiv now. So I would like to ask you what hopes the EU is pinning on Ukraine, which is one of the five parties to the Transnistrian settlement.

“Like the EU and Romania, Ukraine is also an important neighbor of Moldova, including the Transnistrian region. Ukraine has a very long border with Moldova. Ukrainian ethnic minorities reside on both the right and the left bank of the Dniester. Therefore, I think Ukraine, as a neighbor, has good, special opportunities to promote the Transnistrian settlement. Besides, Ukraine, as a democratic country, has European values on the basis of which it is very easy for us to work together. All we need to do now is intensify this cooperation and make it more effective. I have had two days of very good consultations.”

Can you say who you consulted with and what the results are?

“I have met a wide circle of officials in government institutions, the foreign ministry, parliament, the Presidential Secretariat, and the National Security and Defense Council. We had every opportunity to discuss these issues. In addition, I have held close consultations with independent experts.”

“THE CHALLENGE YOU ARE FACING IS THAT YOU SHOULD WORK OUT THE MAIN APPROACHES”

You said last time that the main thing for you was that Ukraine and the EU should harmonize their stands on the Transnistrian settlement as much as possible. Have the two sides managed to do so this time?

“The challenge we are facing is that we should work out the main approaches. This is very important. We share the same European values. All we have to do is strengthen this cooperation. If we manage to advance the settlement process, at least a little, this will create more opportunities for experts to work on the constitution and the security of all parties to the process. In spite of difficulties, there were consultations in the 3+2 format last year. It is important that Chi in u and Tiraspol intensify their confidence-building measures.”

Mr. Mizsei, you mentioned the opportunities Ukraine has in the Transnistrian settlement. To what extent do you think our country, as a neighbor of Moldova and Transnistria, is using this potential?

“Ukraine has its own specific national interests, as does the ethnic minority that resides in Moldova and Transnistria. So Ukraine can intensify its relations with Chi(in(u and Tiraspol, coordinating its actions with the efforts of the EU and other players involved in the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict.”

What further actions is the EU going to take after consultations with Ukraine?

“I think we should continue making efforts to strengthen confidence-building measures for Chi in u and Tiraspol. The economic crisis has dealt a powerful blow to the Transnistrian region, so it is important that the European Union, Ukraine, and other parties to this process find resources to limit its impact on the populace because this will only promote the process of Transnistrian settlement.”