External Factors in the Transnistria Conflict Settlement: a Role for the European Union
External Factors in the Transnistria Conflict Settlement: a Role for the European Union

Summary/Abstract: Moldova is incapable for the moment to face independently the embedded interests which are “feeding” and “freezing” the conflict in Transnistria. Moreover, it is a nonsense to look for a successful and viable settlement of the conflict within the limits of the existing “penta-lateral” negotiations format, with an illegal Russian military presence in Moldova and without frankly raising the questions of dismantling the totalitarian regime existent in Transnistria. Hence, the new opportunities for the conflict settlement may appear only in case of a new configuration of interests connected with the Transnistrian conflict and with the statehood of Moldova. The Transnistrian conflict can be solved only through international implication, and the efforts of the OSCE are not sufficient, as they must be combined with the involvement of the EU. In this respect, any positive EU signal to Moldova can alter the settlement process in a way that would be conducive to a viable and “Europeanized” reunification of the country.

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