Mikhalko: Moldova’s Federalization Is Impossible for Now

European Union Ambassador to Moldova Peter Mikhalko said that the federalization of the Republic of Moldova is currently impossible. The European diplomat says that this issue is not even discussed on negotiation platforms between Chisinau and Tiraspol. The Head of the EU Delegation claims that there is a common form approved by all European countries to resolve the Transdniestrian conflict, but this does not imply federalization, ipn.md reports. “At the moment, this process has not reached the level to talk about a solution. We know what the general form will be, it is clear, it is approved by all the countries of the OSCE, Europe, and this happens along the line that the EU supports: sovereignty, territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders, and special status for the Transdniestrian region. Federalization is not possible. Neither on the table, nor under the table is being discussed, it is impossible at the moment,” the European ambassador said. Peter Mikhalko claims that the European Union has repeatedly demonstrated that it is on the side of citizens and the Republic of Moldova, as a friendly, neighboring, partner state, associated with the EU. “Our position in the process of settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict has always been principled and was based on sovereignty and territorial integrity. Of course, the Republic of Moldova should be a state that has all the possibilities, which solves the issue of cooperation with external partners, the way it develops and in this regard should be sovereign. This is the meaning of our position,” the ambassador said. At the same time, the European diplomat claims that for subsequent payments that the EU intends to make for the Republic of Moldova, there are conditions that Chisinau must fulfill. Fulfillment of the conditions will allow continuing EU funding, says Peter Mikhalko. “The most important of these are the conditions related to the fight against corruption and the reform of justice. If we talk about macro-financial assistance, there are very specific technical conditions that relate to the sphere of justice reform and the sphere of the regulatory framework, and the energy sector and they must be met. In addition, there should be a program with the International Monetary Fund and there should be a positive assessment of the political preconditions,” the head of the EU Delegation said.