Brussels, 12/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - Addressing the European Parliament foreign affairs committee on Wednesday 12 September, the EU Special Representative for Moldova, Hungarian Kàlmàn Mizsei presented the current situation of the country, still weakened by the lack of progress in discussions on Transnistria. “Some in Moldova claim that the conflict is preventing reform, but this argument does not hold water,” Mizsei said. While the Transnistrian regime is illegal and authoritarian, there are movements there which are worthy of our attention, because they want to democratise the region, Mizsei highlighted, and he stressed that “we must not cut our links with civil society in Transnistria”. He went on, “Transnistria is not holding Moldova hostage” and the conflict must not be allowed to form an obstacle to progress on the way to European integration.
Although it is only an observer in the 5+2 negotiations on the status of the region of Transnistria, the EU is a “very active” partner, Mizsei said, working for the resumption of talks between Transnistria, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE (the EU and US have observer status). Resolution of the conflict is in the interest of Europe and, of course, Russia, which has no difficulty with the path towards European integration being followed by Moldova, the special representative went on. He said, “When Russians think of a solution, they think of guarantees, guarantees of ownership, maintaining the current political leaders in place”. Was Moldova coming under the influence of Moscow? “I would say not,” Mizsei responded, indicating that the EU was becoming more visible and was increasing its influence. The figures to which the EU had committed itself were “encouraging”, he felt, there having been a sizeable increase in aid to Moldova. While developing the infrastructure was especially important, there was a lack of “realistic reflection” on priorities from both donors and the government. (ab)