Hat der Überraschungsbesuch des rumänischen Präsidenten in
Moskau das Verhältnis zwischen den beiden Ländern verbessert, oder
war der eigentliche Grund für den Besuch der Konflikt in der
Republik Moldau? Diese Frage stellt Razvan
Amariei in Transitions Online.
When Romanian president Traian Basescu paid the Kremlin an
unexpected visit on 14 and 15 February, restoring trust between the
two countries was at the top of his agenda. The talks mainly
concerned security cooperation in the Black Sea region and ending
the Transdniester conflict.
„Its historical complexes cost Romania 15 years in the
relationship with Moscow. … The past is a reality, but I’m
convinced we will find the necessary resources to look toward the
future,“ Basescu said in Moscow.
ITAR-TASS quoted him as telling Russian President Vladimir
Putin, „It is very much hoped that, during my presidential mandate,
I succeed in becoming one of your European friends, who can phone
you at any time and whom you can phone at any time.“
In the background of the meeting were two topics that were not
officially discussed: the Ribbentrop-Molotov treaty that in 1940
allowed the Soviet Union to occupy the eastern regions of Romania,
which now form the independent Republic of Moldova and parts of
Ukraine, and the issue of the Romanian Treasury–money, gold, and
art sheltered in Moscow during World War I and never returned in
its entirety.
Basescu said he would leave those „to the historians and experts
on both sides.“
Discussion instead focused on Moldova and on Basescu’s plan for
cooperation with Russia in solving the problems of the Black Sea
region.
Basescu explained that the Black Sea region was „an area of top
interest for both countries, from where drugs are transferred to
Europe, weapons are illegally exported toward conflict zones, and
human beings are trafficked to the EU.“
The Russian president agreed that the countries of the region
should work together to fight those problems.
It is less clear what Putin thinks of Basescu’s other concern,
Moldova. The Moldovan government in Chisinau has been trying for
years to recover the self-proclaimed Transdniester Republic in the
eastern part of the country, which receives Russian
support.
Moldova, Russia, and neighboring Ukraine are currently engaged
in talks under the auspices of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to resolve the status of the
separatist region, which was created in the early 1990s and has
since been led by a group of ethnic Russians propped up by a
significant Russian military presence.
Romania’s interest in the area is deeper than officially
expressed, as ethnic Romanians make up two-thirds of Moldova’s
population.
All eyes on Moldova
While Basescu did not present any specific plans for resolving
the Transdniester issue, he was unusually blunt in asserting
Romania’s involvement in the matter.
„I stressed Romania’s interest in helping to find a solution for
the Transdniester problem, as this region is very close to our
border. … Therefore, we believe it is a national security issue,“
the Romanian leader told journalists on his return to
Bucharest.
This was not the first time Basescu had brought up the issue; he
did so in Chisinau and in London in January. It was the first time,
however, that he was so outspoken about Romania’s stake in the
conflict.
So far, the only reaction to Basescu’s statements has come from
Igor Smirnov, leader of the Transdniester Republic. „From our point
of view, Romania gave military support to Moldova during the
conflict and didn’t try to stop the bloodletting. As a result, we
don’t agree to Romania taking part in the negotiations,“ he told a
press conference.
The Transdniester issue plays a major role in Moldova’s
electoral campaign for the 6 March parliamentary elections. Local
politicians as well as the Russian media recently speculated that
the conflict might be renewed–speculations fueled by Russia’s
suspension of its withdrawal of arms, ammunition, and military
personnel from Transdniester.
To read the full text of the article, visit the Transitions Online website.