Valeriu Chiveri proposes Romanian-language teaching in all eastern district schools starting September 1, 2026
After a break of over a year, Chisinau and Tiraspol resumed negotiations in a 1+1 format. Valeriu Chiveri, the Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, met with Vitali Ignatiev, the envoy of the separatist regime. The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission in Tiraspol.
The agenda for the discussions covered several important topics, including free movement, access for journalists and human rights defenders on the left bank, and the need to eliminate restrictions that limit movement. Deputy Prime Minister Valeriu Chiveri noted that human rights were the most contentious topic of discussion.
Representatives from Chisinau and Tiraspol deemed the discussions necessary, despite acknowledging their difficulties.
Deputy Prime Minister Chiveri proposed that starting on September 1, 2026, all Moldovan schools in the eastern districts switch to teaching in Romanian. This change aims to ensure that children have access to quality education in their native language.
"It was not an easy meeting, but it was useful. We had an intense correspondence with Mr. Ignatiev during this period, but it was very beneficial to have a discussion in person. The agenda included traditional topics, such as educational issues related to our schools on the left bank of the Nistru, concerns regarding farmers in the Dubasari district, and the free movement of journalists. I also raised the issue of human rights, which was one of the most significant topics and the subject of heated debate. We discussed the necessity of transitioning Moldovan schools throughout the region to the Romanian language," declared Valeriu Chiveri.
Tiraspol, however, appears open to accepting the proposal, emphasizing the region's traditions and cultural identity.
"We are not just the Transnistrian region; we are the Transnistrian Moldovan Republic. Our schools teach in Moldovan, did you know that? The Moldovan people reside in the Transnistrian region, and we speak Moldovan. By the way, we have three official languages: Russian, Ukrainian, and Moldovan," stated Vitali Ignatiev.
Deputy Prime Minister Chiveri also supported the expansion of the Single Emergency Service 112 throughout the country, starting with pilot projects in localities such as Tighina, Dubăsari, and Râbnița.
Chișinău has proposed continuing the meetings in the same format, with the next round to be held in Chișinău, supported by the OSCE. However, Ignatiev declined the invitation, so the next meeting in the "1+1" format will take place in Râbnița at the end of March or the beginning of April.
