Moldova and Europe: Bridging the Gap - Expert Reports
Moldova and Europe: Bridging the Gap - Expert Reports

Summary/Abstract: BORDERS AND NEIGHBOURS THE BORDER BETWEEN MOLDOVA AND UKRAINE: A VIEW FROM KYIV For a long time border issues have been producing tensions rather then friendly cooperation between Kyiv and Chişinău. The border deal was formally complete in June 2001, when the parties simultaneously ratified the Treaty on the State Border and an additional protocol, which provided an exchange of territories. In return of 7 kilometers of the road Odessa-Reni (which is going through Moldova territory across Palanka village) Ukraine has provided Moldova with a small piece (appr. 400 meters) of Danube river bank near Dzurdzulesty village to built a river terminal there. This regulation still didn’t get a consensus in Moldovan society. Government of Republic of Moldova has ignored strong opposition inside country. Some political leaders still treat the protocol as wrong and unfair and call for reconsidering. This border dispute determined a debate on the essence of bilateral relations. Complains appeared that Ukraine behaves as an ’elder brother’ using the weakness of small poor neighbor. In January 2003 the parties started the process of border demarcation talks and in February 2005 signed an Agreement on border demarcation. Two obstacles actually slowing down this process, namely: lack of funds and Transdniestria issue. Almost a half of Ukraine-Moldova border is under control of Tiraspol separatist regime. This part of border is probably the most criminalized one in the East of Europe.

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