Reintegration of Transnistrian region: speaker about negotiations and Parliament’s plan for convergence fund

Speaker Igor Grosu commented today on the resumption of official talks between Chisinau and Tiraspol, highlighting the importance of the negotiations and presenting the legislative priorities on reintegrating the Transnistrian region.

“It is good that these discussions are taking place. There are several issues on the agenda, some of them traditional – schools with teaching in Romanian, the energy situation in the regions, and other aspects that must be addressed,” Grosu stated.

He said that although he does not know in detail all the topics that will be discussed in Tiraspol, the negotiations concern sensitive and recurring issues that are essential for strengthening energy security and ensuring the rights of the population on both banks of the Dniester River.

Concrete steps in Parliament for reintegration

In parallel with the discussions with the authorities of Tiraspol, Parliament will register today a draft law meant to support the reintegration process by gradually modifying the facilities that the Transnistrian region has benefited from since 2000. Grosu explained the main directions:

• The gradual removal of tax and customs exemptions for certain goods imported from the left bank of the Dniester;

• The establishment of a Convergence Fund, into which resources collected through specific taxes will be directed, including contributions related to energy efficiency;

• The management of the funds so that they are used for the development and modernization of both banks of the Dniester, in a process of gradual and sustainable rapprochement.

“Through these concrete actions we are moving slowly but surely towards our objective – the functional and economic integration of both banks,” he said.

Grosu reiterated that the draft law and the measures included will be applied progressively, in order to maintain economic and social balance and to ensure an orderly transition of the Transnistrian region towards a common framework of regulations and benefits.

Today, at the headquarters of the OSCE Mission to the Republic of Moldova in the city of Tiraspol, a working meeting of the political representatives in the negotiations for the Transnistrian settlement is taking place.

Resuming Chisinau–Tiraspol discussions comes at a time when issues such as energy security, the functioning of schools with instruction in Romanian, and the management of the economic benefits previously granted to the region remain strategic priorities. Parliament and the central authorities intend that these negotiations be accompanied by concrete legislative measures to ensure progress in the reintegration process, based on the principles of transparency, fairness, and efficient use of public resources.

It is a significant stage in consolidating the sovereignty and territorial integration of the Republic of Moldova, as well as harmonizing economic and legislative practices between the two banks of the Dniester.