- Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Valeriu Civeri, has stated that the government does not intend to resume negotiations on the reintegration of Transnistria in the “5+2” format, arguing that the mechanism has proven ineffective.
- Greater Role for the European Union
- Criticism from Tiraspol
Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Valeriu Civeri, has stated that the government does not intend to resume negotiations on the reintegration of Transnistria in the “5+2” format, arguing that the mechanism has proven ineffective.
Speaking to the publication Cotidianul, Civeri explained:
“More than 20 years of negotiations in the 5+2 format have failed to produce concrete results, and the current regional situation makes its relaunch even more difficult. Today, we do not see how it could function.”
According to the deputy prime minister, Chișinău remains committed to resolving the conflict exclusively through peaceful means. Rather than focusing on discussions about Transnistria’s political status, the government intends to prioritize economic, social, educational, fiscal, and energy-related integration.
“Economic, fiscal, educational, and energy reintegration could eventually make complicated formulas of special status unnecessary. If we succeed in achieving economic, financial, educational, social, and energy reintegration, the need for such a status may disappear,” Civeri said.
Greater Role for the European Union
Civeri noted that the European Union is expected to play an increasingly important role in the dialogue process. He argued that Moldova’s closer integration with the EU could encourage residents of Transnistria to strengthen ties with Chișinău, creating an additional incentive for reintegration.
The official also highlighted the planned Convergence Fund, which the government intends to establish by August 1. According to him, the fund will be financed in part through the gradual application of VAT and excise taxes to businesses operating on the left bank of the Dniester River.
At the same time, Civeri rejected accusations from Tiraspol that Chișinău is pursuing a policy of economic isolation against Transnistria. However, critics note that discussions about social guarantees, pensions, and welfare provisions for the region have received far less attention.
Criticism from Tiraspol
Claims of economic pressure are not limited to Transnistria’s political leadership. Vadim Kravchuk, a deputy in the Supreme Council of Transnistria, described Moldova’s actions as an “economic war” against the region.
“This is the unleashing of an economic war against Transnistria. Today these are economic measures, but tomorrow there could be more radical consequences. After all, there will have to be some response. Medieval methods still exist: when fortresses were besieged, they were surrounded and forced to surrender through hunger and deprivation. I do not think we will simply watch this happen,” he said.
Kravchuk also argued that recent developments in Moldova have increased the divide between the two sides of the Dniester.
“The changes that have taken place in Moldova are certainly not bringing our two banks closer together. The Russian language is being marginalized, values are changing, and there is pressure on the Orthodox Church. What is happening there today is not close to our people,” he concluded.
