Igor Dodon: “Federalization is the only option for Moldova!”

One of the popular politicians in Moldova is today the chairman of the party of socialists of the Republic of Moldova Igor Dodon. Unlike other parties socialists according to the last poll added sympathies.

The party leader considers that Moldova shouldn’t disappear from the world map as a result of accession to Romania. Igor Dodon stated the vision of a situation, acting in parliament:

- With arrival of new forces to the power in Transnistria at the end of 2011, there was the impression as if the chances of Moldova of reunion of the country increased. It was necessary to use only reasonable political strategy and to define accepted formula, including for Tiraspol.

The local administration enjoys massive support from the population. In such conditions it is necessary to undertake a number of measures which will promote strengthening of mutual trust as between political elite and the population and also, economic agents from both coast of Dniestr.

Now it is just a right moment when some important decisions of Kishinev could promote the process of reunion of two coast of Dniestr. Any postponement of adoption of the cardinal decision in a question of restoration of integrity of the country can lead to final loss of the Dniestr region. Today’s Transnistria follows own way of development, consolidating making parts of quasi-statehood and independence at regional level.

What occurs, however, actually? Do the authorities aim at internal integration?

The Kishinev authorities chose the wrong, antistate political working agenda — instead of giving of internal integration of the status of a priority No. 1 (that is to return Transnistria to country structure), they chose external integration as a leading priority, accession to EU, fully realizing that in this situation we can finally lose the east territory.
The Kishinev management isn’t considered more than a half of the population of a right bank of Dniestr opposing integration into EU with desire; still to a lesser extent they are anxious with desire of all population of a left bank of Dniestr to deepen the relations of friendship and cooperation with the Russian Federation.

In a similar situation there is a discrepancy meanwhile what is wanted by the Kishinev oligarch government and what is wished by the most part of the population of the country from both coast of Dniestr. Almost inevitable full splitting off of Transnistria becomes a result of preservation of a vector towards E. U. Then Gagauzia’s turn will come.

Even worse that the Kishinev authorities agreed on perfidious offers of the West, including Bucharest, and made the decision on installation of points of migratory control on Dniestr, thus, practically having legalized the border with the Dniestr region.

These and other decisions made obviously to the detriment of stage-by-stage rapprochement between Kishinev and Tiraspol, reduced the chances of the solution of a Dniestr question even more.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Natalia Gherman recognized that the dialogue between Kishinev and Tiraspol was blocked. It is direct result of policy of the government of Lyanke, short-sighted and dependent on the West. For such policy which has led to serious consequences for territorial integrity and statehood of the Republic of Moldova, this government deserves at least the shameful resignation.
What has to undertake the government which considers itself to really committed principles of statehood and aimed at achievement of territorial integrity of the country?

We, socialists, consider that No.1 priority for the country leaders has to become domestic policy, more precisely the territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova and the return of Transnistria to borders of the former Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic is a debt of the Moldavian politicians. Any external integration is of secondary importance, and has to be carried out only after final achievement of territorial integrity of the country.

Concerning the Dniestr region it is necessary to build the confidential relations structured on areas — policy, economy, information space, social problems, culture and religion. In this sense the development of the Concept of national reconciliation is necessary.

The economic factor has to be put in a basis of the relations between two coasts, first of all. First of all, it is necessary to eliminate existing obstacles in a way of economic cooperation at the level of the enterprises and persons, beginning from movement of the capitals and goods, and ending with labor, and also, in the sphere of investment activity.

In the field of policy the participation of politicians, experts from both coast of Dniestr is necessary in joint round tables, conferences and discussions on the vital issues which interest and disturb the citizens on both sides of Dniestr. Rapprochement of politicians will create preconditions to definition of optimum ways for a final decision of a Dniestr question.

In the field of policy the participation of politicians, experts from both coast of Dniestr in joint round tables, conferences and discussions on the vital issues is necessary which interest and disturb the citizens on both sides of Dniestr. Rapprochement of politicians will create preconditions to definition of optimum ways for a final decision of a Dniestr question.

In the field of telecommunications the task consists in ensuring broad access of the population from both coast of Dniestr to the Kishinev and Tiraspol T. V. channels and radio stations, and also adjustment of direct and available telecommunication. Creation of a common information space which will provide the general and equal field for expression of the opinion from all mass media and representatives of civil society is supposed in the long term.

In social policy it is necessary to provide easy access of inhabitants of the Dniestr region to the educational and medical services which are available on the right coast.
In the cultural and humanitarian sphere the organization of joint activity of creative collectives, youth consolidation from both coasts through the general cultural and sports projects, introduction of modern methods in the field of youth policy is necessary. One of the factors promoting our rapprochement is the unity of Christian belief and Orthodox Church.

Single question is the legal framework. According to socialists, a serious barrier on a way to the solution of a Dniestr question is the Law on basic provisions of special legal status of settlements of a left bank of Dniestr (Transnistria) adopted in July, 2005. This law needs to be cancelled or subjected to essential changes.

The party of socialists considers that as a result of implementation of the Concept of national reconciliation and introduction of measures for achievement of trust, in case of the responsible relation from politicians, real conditions for country reunion will be created.

At the same time separate, extremely important and at the same time most difficult question is political settlement.

We perfectly understand that in society there are various opinions about future administrative structure of complete Moldova. We also know that there are also some persuasive fears concerning these or those formulas of restoration of territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova.

There are three scenarios of development of the relations with Transnistria:

The first scenario is annexation of Transnistria as the area or areas with preservation of the status of an expanded autonomy. According to socialists, the implementation of this scenario is impossible as the majority of the population of Transnistria and regional political elite categorically don’t accept such «association» with right-bank Moldova. Therefore this scenario is unreal. 20 years we mark time, seeking for implementation of such scenario, but as a result everything only worsened.

The second scenario is the refusal of Transnistria. To our shame, there are mad among the Kishinev politicians who are ready to refuse our territorial integrity. In their opinion, it will facilitate to us the integration into EU, and then and association with Romania. It is the terrible scenario for Moldova therefore it is inadmissible and it can’t be perceived as a subject of serious discussions.

The third scenario is the federalization of Moldova. It will provide to Moldova the possibility of establishment of complete control over own borders, will reunite our people, will make it a whole, will clean administrative borders and double management. Thus the territory of Moldova located on the left coast of Dniestr, namely Transnistria, will keep an important component of own autonomy and specifics, including, part of own symbolic and political representation. This scenario is urged to restore completely the trust between two coasts of Dniestr and to promote achievement of effective integrity of our state in long-term prospect.

In our opinion, if to adhere to realistic and pragmatic approach, federalization will be perceived as the only compromise alternative in the solution of a Dniestr question.

The objective, impartial and multilateral analysis of a situation specifies that federalization is the only realistic option of a solution of the problem of Transnistria. Open recognition of federalization as the only way of peace return of Transnistria in structure of the Republic of Moldova becomes manifestation of political wisdom from the country authorities. Recognition of this fact will open a way to true negotiations on a question of restoration of territorial integrity of our country.

It is obvious that federalization is a difficult way of recovery from the crisis, but from the crisis similar Dniestr, doesn’t exist simple and convenient ways of an exit. Each of the parties should go on some concessions at political and administrative levels.

Proceeding from all above, in April, 2012 the Party of socialists was the first party which has openly declared in parliament of RM that federalization is the only real option the solution of a Dniestr question, and that only thus probably the peace restoration of territorial integrity of our country is possible. Any statement or the action of the authorities directed against settlement of Dniestr dispute, have to be stopped. Now it is confirmed also by the opinions expressed by various politicians and experts within the country and also beyond its limits.

At present, for the first time in the history the political forces of RM, Party of socialists, together with experts from both coasts of Dniestr carry out the development of the Concept of federalization which will be presented until the end of November, 2013 to partners in negotiation process and also public opinion.

We, socialists, openly and responsibly declare that federalization of the Republic of Moldova is the only real option of the solution of the Dniestr conflict, and only such way the peace restoration of territorial integrity of our country within the former MSSR is possible. Postponement of pronouncement of the similar decision at the highest politically level will mean loss of Transnistria with the subsequent loss of statehood of the Republic of Moldova by its accession to Romania at once after EU disintegration.