How to avoid solving old problems and in doing so create new ones. Kishinev officials know the formula of this policy.
The methods Moldovan politicians resort to in negotiations with Pridnestrovie are puzzling. Social, economic, humanitarian problems which have amassed for many years in relations between the sides remain unsettled because of Moldova's lack of interest in solving this segment of problems (despite assurances to the contrary). Kishinev has always put at the forefront the desire to control all spheres of life in Pridnestrovie and, finally, to subjugate the country.
Not only Pridnestrovian diplomats but also the Russian Federation, a guarantor state and mediator in the «5+2» negotiating process, maintain that the negotiators' task is to make efforts to enhance citizens' livelihoods. Yesterday, Russia's deputy foreign minister Grigory Karasin came to Tiraspol to meet President Krasnoselsky. He pointed out after the meeting that «it is progress in solving practical, specific issues that will further influence the atmosphere of the process of Moldo-Pridnestrovian settlement.»
«Russia, as a guarantor state and mediator, intends to increase its participation, and we insist that the international „5+2“ format meet much more frequently to discuss not only some ephemeral, theoretical proposals but also quite mundane needs of Pridnestrovians. All this is feasible; there are no exorbitant demands.»
Of course, more frequent «5+2» meetings are out of question now. Even contacts of the chief negotiators have become rare now, and the position of one side more resembles the game of Chinese whispers. Today's meeting between Vitaly Ignatyev and Gheorghe Balan, which was held in Kishinev's OSCE office, was no exception.
They don't even ask Pridnestrovie
As it became known to the media after the meeting, the talks centred on the problem of joint Moldo-Ukrainian control at the Kuchurgan crossing point. Moldovan negotiator Gheorghe Balan assured that this measure is aimed against «those grey schemes, smuggling, traffic and other negative effects that occur due to the lack of control over the border» (Pervomaysk-Kuchurgan border and customs checkpoint), and in no way will it affect honest people and economic entities.
«It is aimed at simplifying the life of the population and accommodating the needs of economic agents and the population. That’s what those who consistently promote certain corruption schemes or smuggle goods through this sector of the uncontrolled border must be afraid of," said Balan.
Citing the deployment of Moldovan law-enforcers at the Pridnestrovian-Ukrainian border as a common good and care of «the decent citizens of Pridnestrovie», the Moldovan negotiator had not even bothered to learn about the negative implications of such joint control, as well as the figures of Pridnestrovie's projected losses in the event of the implementation of such plans, which Pridnestrovie presented during the meeting.
«The Moldovan political representative refused to attend the presentation and left the meeting. I think Mr Balan will be able to study these figures. However, in our view, this is also a position that shows the real attitude towards the interests of people living in Pridnestrovie," said Vitaly Ignatyev.
Indeed, the figures speak for themselves and bring to nought all the assurances given by Moldovan representatives about the advantages of establishing Moldo-Ukrainian control for Pridnestrovians.
Thus, only preliminary calculations show that in the event of the deployment of Moldovan law enforcers in Kuchurgan, the PMR's economy will lose at least $38 million a year, and the country's economic agents will have to fill in additional customs declarations. Serious problems will occur due to differences in the legislation of Pridnestrovie and Moldova regarding economic activities and the movement of goods. Individual businessmen may carry under $1,000 worth of goods without declaring to Pridnestrovie. In Moldova, this sum is limited to €300. This, in fact, jeopardises small business: over 50,000 people may lose jobs.
But the most serious risk is the deployment of Moldovan law enforcers at the Ukrainian border outside the Security Zone where their actions are not subject to any documents, which directly threatens to escalate the conflict.
This whole set of new problems, which may face Pridnestrovian citizens by the end of the year, was called by Moldovan diplomats «speculation».
«The figures provided by Tiraspol representatives are speculative and do not correspond to reality. Over 2,000 economic entities from Pridnestrovie are registered in Kishinev, export [goods], using the Moldovan registration and documentation, and most goods from Pridnestrovie or even all goods are exported through this support. This does not exert any negative influence on Pridnestrovian economic agents," Gheorghe Balan reiterated, forgetting to mention, however, that the need to get registered in Moldova and use Moldova-issued export documents was rigidly imposed on Pridnestrovian enterprises by Moldova and Ukraine in 2006 when the blockade of Pridnestrovie's exports began. An attempt to present such actions as «support» looks utterly cynical.
It turns out that Moldova just turns a blind eye to the economic risks, trying to present them as flimsy. And this only proves the fact that the aim of deploying Moldovan customs officers and border guards at the Kuchurgan crossing point is to control the border between Pridnestrovie and Ukraine. In other words, there are political motives under the guise of political declarations about the desire to provide «economic transparency» at the crossing point. This is particularly confirmed by the fact that Ukraine and Moldova share customs data and the presence of the EUBAM mission in Kuchurgan.
Out of the format
The unilateral actions taken be Moldova and Ukraine to establish border and customs control at the Kuchurgan crossing point cast doubt on the prospects of the negotiating format. Pridnestrovie insists that this issue should be included in the agenda of the forthcoming meeting in the «5+2» format.
«The actions of Moldova and Ukraine to establish joint control openly ignore Pridnestrovie's position and infringe the agreements of the negotiation process. We have certainly requested and will request all its participants to avoid the implementation of these plans. In addition, Pridnestrovie insists on this problem being included in the agenda of the forthcoming meeting in the «5+2» format since in terms of both economic and humanitarian and political damages this issue is really the most serious threat that has faced the negotiating process over the past years," said Vitaly Ignatyev during a briefing.
Moldova has its own opinion. According to Gheorghe Balan, it turns out «this issue does not apply to the '5+2' format and lies exclusively within the framework of the bilateral relations between Moldova and Ukraine.»
«When we refer to border and customs control we are speaking about the bilateral relations between Moldova and Ukraine. This is the subject of our bilateral dialogue, and the EU contributes to creating normal conditions for both economic entities and citizens," said the Moldovan negotiator.
Well, you don't say! Why do Pridnestrovians have to suffer because of the decisions made by Moldova and Ukraine? Why not ask their opinion? Although is there any use expecting any other attitude from Moldovan politicians who beat their chests and shout everywhere that they advocate a better life for the citizens of the PMR, but, in fact, they only seek political benefits?
