Moldovan parliament speaker, in interview with AGERPRES Agency, says European integration process can help expedite resolution of Transnistrian problem

The European integration process can help expedite the resolution of the Transnistrian problem. The region on the left bank of the Dniester is quite integrated into what we call international trade. Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu has made statements to this effect in an interview with AGERPRES Agency.

The official emphasized that over 80 per cent of what is produced in the Transnistrian region was exported to the European Union market.

‘’A lot to Romania. People there like to trade with the European Union, because it is a sustainable and secure market, which observes commitments, is predictable, with purchasing power. I say there are premises for Moldova's integration into the EU to lead to the settlement of the Transnistrian problem,’’ Igor Grosu said.

The speaker also referred to possible scenarios promoted by the Kremlin concerning the Transnistrian region.

‘’Obviously, there will always be attempts like those during the campaign, when an individual said that the only solution was federalization. Federalization is the Kremlin's dream since Kozak's time, with his Kozak plan, to create a federation in which Tiraspol and Gagauzia have the right to veto all decisions related to foreign policy, obviously in the sense of blocking our ascent on the path of European integration. We will not accept such a thing, in any case. People see the difference between what is on the left bank and the right bank, the quality of services, incomes, the opportunities provided by the European Union, the freedom of movement for young people, to study in European universities, to come to Romania, to go to another country, to express themselves. Especially now, in the context of the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine, things have been split into black and white. They can no longer play with gray, with nuances, with Moldova as a bridge between East and West. All these stories have pretty much shattered,’’ Igor Grosu noted.

He also referred to the European integration process, in the context of the Transnistrian dispute. The official highlighted two viable scenarios.

‘’In our case, we can talk about two scenarios. In one step, with the entire territory of the Republic of Moldova, or in two steps, the territory controlled by the country's constitutional authorities and, at a later stage, the second step, the territory from the left bank of the Dniester. Everything will depend on more factors and the speed with which we will move in the process of joining the European Union. I am also referring to reforms, because, in the end, people judge through the lens of comfort, service accessibility, the prospects offered by one bank or another of the Dniester. And, as I was saying, it was a bit surprising for us, almost 40 per cent of the voters from the left bank have a pro-European option, which is a good indicator,’’ Igor Grosu added.

The official also expressed confidence that the return of the Transnistrian region under the control of the Chisinau authorities was ‘’a matter of time’’ and can  happen only peacefully.