That the Moldovan authorities have resumed administrative pressure on the residents of Pridnestrovie is testified by numerous requests of the citizens crossing the Moldovan border, including in Kishinev airport.
As was declared by the MFA press service, «the citizens' requests say that the Pridnestrovians having citizenship of the Russian Federation and Ukraine, when crossing the state border of the RM, face unreasonable requirements imposed by the RM’s representatives, mostly by members of the border police, for Moldovan documents — a residence permit or passport for travel abroad. In the absence of Moldovan documents threats of refusal of departure or deportation are voiced against the Pridnestrovians.»
But what if all these demands and complaints made by the Moldovan authorities against Pridnestrovian citizens are unreasonable and go beyond the agreements of the negotiation process? And that's just the way it is! It is almost two years ago, 27 February 2014, at the meeting of the «Permanent Conference…” in Vienna the Protocol Decision on certain aspects of freedom of movement of the population was signed.
The agreed document excludes the possibility of applying any sanctions and other coercive measures against citizens permanently residing on the territory of Pridnestrovie and crossing the Moldovan border.
It turns out that Moldovan border guards obey the command of higher authorities to exert psychological pressure on the Pridnestrovian residents, to show that they are deprived of civil rights and defence in Moldova without Moldova's documents.
As Russian Institute for Strategic Studies leading researcher Vasily Kashirin told Novosti Pridnestrovya, it has already become established practice that any bilateral agreements are not regarded by the Moldovan side as a «strict imperative» to act, «a binding factor».
«Therefore, Moldova may simply ignore any appeals to previously signed agreements. And, of course, Pridnestrovian diplomats know that pretty well and expect the Moldovan side to pretend these agreements do not exist if they find them disadvantageous. Such is a mental trait of our Moldovan partners, which should be simply taken into account," said Vasily Kashirin.
Moldova is taking advantage of many factors, including the situation in Ukraine, to reinforce its pressure on Pridnestrovie on all fronts. «Unfortunately, one of the most efficient tools is certain blackmail by getting on Pridnestrovians' nerves and putting pressure on the ordinary people, including officials, in connection with the border crossing rules and the availability of documents. There's no doubt the population is very touchy about this," said Kashirin.
According to the Russian expert, if the Moldovan border police continue on a large-scale to demand Moldovan documents, such as a residence permit or passport for travel abroad, from the Pridnestrovian residents, both the Pridnestrovian and Russian authorities will have to take coordinated measures to overcome the situation.
«It will be absolutely inadmissible; it will mean a blockade of Pridnestrovie - both logistics and transportation. It will be an instrument of very powerful blackmail. The leadership of Pridnestrovie and Russia must be prepared for such a negative scenario and have a set of counter-measures.
He also added that many Pridnestrovian citizens use Moldovan passports and residence permits only for travelling abroad. But this does not make them «devoted and loyal patriots of Moldova».
«If the Moldovan authorities manage to force more Pridnestrovians into applying for Moldovan documents, they will be able to use this situation for propaganda purposes, first of all, abroad. But Moldova is unlikely to strengthen its real political, ideological and moral positions in Pridnestrovie," the expert is persuaded.
Another thing that catches the eye is that Moldova boosted its pressure on Pridnestrovie after the neighbour and mediator in the negotiation process, Ukraine, made a decision to put a ban on the movement of male Russian citizens across the Pridnestrovian-Ukrainian border. The concurrence of good neighbourly relations is evident.
«The concurrence of Kiev and Kishinev on the Pridnestrovian issue is absolutely evident and indisputable. It may not be stipulated in any official document, but the unanimity of their anti-Pridnestrovian and anti-Russian views is a fact. We should proceed from the fact that such a regional axis as Kiev-Kishinev exists," said Vasily Kashirin.
He noted, at the same time, that, if «the Moldovan border police and customs officers start working at the Ukrainian-Pridnestrovian border on Ukraine's side, the situation will require Moscow and Tiraspol to take immediate measures.»
When asked if the new Moldovan authorities may change the «language» of cooperation with Pridnestrovie, the Russian expert said that «constant personnel changes are characteristic of higher ranks in Moldova's MFA and government, but at the level of experts and lower officials there is certain consistency with views and evaluations.» Therefore, the principle «promise and not fulfil» is likely to continue.
