Alexandru Munteanu: Transnistrian reintegration is “about people, not territory”
The Republic of Moldova has a greater opportunity than ever to reintegrate the Transnistrian region. Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu states that this process "is not about territory, but about people." He emphasizes that the reintegration largely depends on the withdrawal of Russian troops. Meanwhile, the authorities in Chisinau are developing economic and administrative mechanisms to facilitate the connection between the two banks of the Nistru.
The Transnistrian region is a significant concern for us, especially for me as someone who was born there. I clearly explain to our EU colleagues that the Transnistrian issue is not merely an ethnic or religious matter; it is not comparable to Nagorno-Karabakh or related to gas supplies. It fundamentally concerns the occupation and the presence of Russian troops, which, since the time of Chernomyrdin, were supposed to be withdrawn but have never left,” declared the Prime Minister during a program on Exclusiv TV.
The first step needed for the region's reintegration is the withdrawal of Russian military forces, said Alexandru Munteanu.
“The first prerequisite is to address the military component. We must achieve a regional resolution, and to end this inhumane war initiated by the Russian Federation, the Russian troops must be withdrawn. I believe we are moving in this direction."
In this context, the authorities in Chisinau are already preparing economic and fiscal measures to foster closer ties between the two banks of the Nistru and to integrate the region into the economic framework of the Republic of Moldova.
“We have established a fund and developed a plan for taxation. Since businesses in the region engage in the economic activities of the Republic of Moldova, this brings certain obligations, including tax payments,” said Alexandru Munteanu.
Moreover, Munteanu stressed that reintegration should primarily focus on the people and the existing connections between the two banks of the Nistru.
“Many people live on the left bank of the Nistru and work on the right bank; they raise their children here or send them to study in Chisinau. Reintegration is about people, not just territory. I cannot claim to be an absolute expert on the Transnistrian issue, but I firmly believe that this region is part of Moldova and there is no reason to think otherwise. We must reintegrate ourselves and the Transnistrian region,” the Prime Minister stated.
It is important to note that the Transnistrian region, which remains outside the constitutional authority of the Chisinau government, continues to host Russian troops and weapons depots. Negotiations to resolve the conflict have stagnated in recent years, and the "5+2" format for talks has not been effective since the outbreak of Russia's war against Ukraine; the only remaining active format is "1+1."
In recent years, the authorities in Chisinau have increased their focus on gradually integrating the Transnistrian region economically. This includes applying Moldovan trade and tax regulations to companies on the left bank of the Nistru that export to the European Union market.
Simultaneously, Moldovan officials have repeatedly asserted that Moldova's accession to the European Union should not be contingent upon resolving the Transnistrian conflict. Recently, Kaja Kallas, the head of European diplomacy, who was visiting Chisinau, stated that the Transnistrian issue would not obstruct Moldova’s European journey.
