A group of Moldovan non-governmental organisations that are part of the Association for Participatory Democracy (ADEPT) have criticized the policy of President Vladimir Voronin in the Transdniestrian settlement. Political scientist Igor Botan of the ADEPT said: "Moldova is in secret talks with Russia in violation of the existing mechanisms."
"This contradicts the Plan of Action RM-EU and hurts Moldova. Talks in the 5+2 format are not being held, and the EU's efforts have focused on the return of the sides to the negotiating table," Interfax quoted Botan as saying. Chisinau's desire to resolve the problem exclusively with Moscow "threatens to halt not only the political, diplomatic and technical help from the EU in efforts to solve the Transdniestrian problem, but also the political dialogue between Moldova and the EU on the whole," he said.
The activity of the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) on the Moldovan-Ukrainian state border is the main achievement in this sphere, especially in the Transdniestrian section of the Moldovan-Ukrainian border, Botan said. The Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova, which is in power in Moldova, "is more concerned with retaining power after 2009 than with the development of the republic," he said. "The opinion of the chairman of the party, President Vladimir Voronin, differs from that of party members," he added.
"I think that in the fall we will see changes in the party and hear the president's assessment of the work of the government. Honesty and transparency in ruling the republic have decreased, and important bills have been rejected without explanations," Botan said.
Source: New Europe, Belgium
