Dodon: Transnistria May be a Part of Moldova with Broad Powers of Autonomy

Transnistria could get a “special status with broad powers of autonomy within the Moldovan state”, stated President Igor Dodon believes that in an interview with the German newspaper Der Spiegel, noting that “the Presidential Administration has developed an appropriate vision and will present it to the coalition partners,” infotag.md reports. “We are implementing a policy of small steps currently and are looking for solutions to overcome obstacles in the daily lives of citizens. Negotiations on a political solution to the conflict have not yet begun. But I venture to suggest that we can move very quickly, because the modern international consensus is favorable for Moldova. We can leave a mark in history by finding a successful solution to the frozen conflict in the post-Soviet space for the first time,” he said. According to the president, in less than three years of his presidency, it has been achieved in the Transnistrian settlement more than in the previous 25 years. “Telephone communications have been established. A new bridge across the Dniester has been opened. We recognize the diplomas of the Transnistrian educational institutions. The procedure for the entry of citizens from the right bank of the Dniester into Transnistria was simplified. We are negotiating a new railway line, a solution to the banking problem and the complete elimination of border checkpoints,” he said. Speaking about the prospect of Moldova’s EU membership, the president admitted that “he does not consider this possible in the current situation.” “To be honest, the EU is not ready to accept new members. The Western Balkan countries have been waiting their turn for many years, and they have no clear prospects. We are even further from this. We should consider the EU association agreement as a chance to improve the quality of life in the country, nothing more,” he said. To the journalist’s blunt question, “Does your party (PSRM) get money from Russia”, Dodon said that “some media express such thoughts, but such financing in the Republic of Moldova is prohibited by law and the party accepting payments from abroad outlaws itself.” Point