 | AFTER MOLDOVA'S ATTACK on Transdniestria in 1992, the local population strengthened its struggle for independence. A look back at the roots of the conflict helps provide a glimpse of what the future could bring. [more] |  | | |  | SEX SLAVES are big business in Eastern Europe. Now human rights groups want local governments to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. [more] |
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OSCE cheers Transdniester compromises; now wants more
OSCE praises Transdniestria for removing import duties and migration taxes from Moldovans. Now, OSCE wants Transdniestria to do even more and abandon all its border controls completely. But Transdniestria is afraid of turning into a "black hole" if it follows OSCE's requests.
Transdniestria wants to keep its 816 km border secure and not run the risk of turning into a "black hole." (File photo)MADRID (Tiraspol Times) - Returning to his native city of Madrid after an official visit to Transdniestria, the OSCE's current Chairman-in-Office spoke positively about recent moves which have been taken by Transdniestria's government to improve its relations with neighboring Moldova. Miguel Angel Moratinos, head of the OSCE and Spanish Foreign Minister, was in Tiraspol last week
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) issued a press statement Tuesday in which mediators and observers praised the decision of Transdniestria to remove both the 100% duty on certain goods coming into Transdniestria from Moldova, as well as the removal of the migration tax for foreign visitors, including visitors from Moldova.
At the same time, the OSCE asked for more concessions from Transdniestria: They called for the removal of non-peacekeeping posts in the Security Zone. This, say many in Tiraspol, is "of course unrealistic."
" - It would mean that we should simply abandon our own customs posts and immigration control on the border with Moldova," says Alex Loktionov, a Cossack leader from the border city of Bender.
" - And they want us to do this before a final peace deal has been negotiated? Don't put the cart before the horse. We have more than 800 km of borders, and we need our border posts to control smuggling and illegal immigration," says Loktionov. "With no control of our borders, there is a very real risk that Transdniestria could turn into a black hole."
- OSCE says official visit was "important contribution"
Notwithstanding from the unrealistic wish from OSCE that Transdniestria abandons border controls, other developments in the area is seen as positive for future developments. According to a press statement by the organization, the mediators and observers considered that the Chairman-in Office's October 7 and October 8 visit to the area made an important contribution to a possible restarting of negotiations in a 5+2 format, which the OSCE has been attempting to get back on track ever since Moldova unilaterally abandoned the talks on the last day of February 2006.
Later in the same week when Moldova left the talks, Transdniestria was unexpectedly hit with an economic blockade which prevented exports from leaving the unrecognized country unless they were approved by Moldova in advance. Transdniestria (officially: Pridnestrovie) says that this runs counter to a 1997 agreement between the two sides which guarantees Transdniestria the right to free foregn trade and which also bans the use of pressure - including economic pressure - as a way to force an outcome to the talks.
Seeking to restart the talks on its own future, Transdniestria points out that constructive negotiations can only take place if both sides first proclaim their willingness to abstain from the use of force such as economic blockades and other pressure tactics. It has asked Moldova to lift its economic blockade and to return to the terms of the 1997 agreement which was signed by both sides, with OSCE as the guarantor. Failing that, Transdniestria instead asks for at least a so-called "transit agreement" which will allow its products to safely reach their destination countries and be imported there according to the legal rules of each recipient country.
The 'de facto' independent state declared independence in 1990, one year before the founding of the Republic of Moldova. (With information from OSCE)
See also:
» Spanish Foreign Minister, head of OSCE, in talks with Tiraspol government
» Transdniestria tries open border initiative for Moldovans
» Free trade: Transdniestria cancels import duties on Moldovan goods
A conference held at the European Parliament in Brussels concluded that unrecognized states like Pridnestrovie need a way to be heard by the world. "It is necessary to create and sustain permanent mechanisms of involvement and consultation of unrecognized state entities in the international community". This will benefit everyone, says the event's official statement. . . 
