MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

23.10.2006

to wind up the debate on statements by the Council and Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Charles Tannock, Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Árpád Duka-Zólyomi, Tunne Kelam and Vytautas Landsbergis
on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
on Moldova (Transnistria)

B6‑0541/2006

European Parliament resolution on Moldova (Transnistria)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Moldova, and in Transnistria in particular,

–  having regard to the EU Presidency Declaration on the 'referendum' of 17 September 2006 in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova,

–   having regard to the Action Plan for Moldova adopted by the seventh EU-Moldova Cooperation Council meeting on the 22 February 2005,

–  having regard to the Ukrainian initiative 'Towards a Resolution through Democracy', launched by the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, in April 2005,

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas the self-proclaimed Transnistrian authorities organised a referendum on 17 September 2006,

B.  whereas the main question asked was whether Transnistrians wanted their breakaway territory to become independent and subsequently to join the Russian Federation,

C.  whereas this referendum, like all the previous elections and plebiscites held in the secessionist entity, was neither free nor fair,

D.  whereas neither this referendum nor its outcome has been recognised by the EU and the international community in general,

E.  whereas the referendum in Transnistria has taken place in a context where Russia and the secessionist entities ('frozen conflicts') of the former Soviet Union such as Abkhazia, and South Ossetia are trying to make maximum use of the expected independence of Kosovo and the recent separation of Montenegro from Serbia as 'exportable' legal precedents,

F.  whereas, according to the UN's 2005 Human Development Report, Moldova is the poorest country in Europe and the situation with regard to Transnistria is a major hindrance to the country's socio-economic development,

1.  Condemns the conduct of the referendum in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, which violates the internationally recognised sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova and can be seen as a provocation which is heightening the existing tensions and jeopardising the chances of a peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian issue;

2.  Considers that, given the lack of appropriate democratic mechanisms and elementary conditions needed for free and fair elections, the outcome of the referendum cannot be recognised as an expression of the popular will; is concerned in this context at the ambiguous reaction of some Russian politicians claiming that it was an example of direct democracy;

3.  Stresses that the resolution of the Transnistria issue constitutes a crucial element for promoting political stability and economic prosperity in the Republic of Moldova and in the whole region; stresses the need for a peaceful solution to the conflict, in line with the UN Charter and Conventions, and OSCE declarations, and with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova within its internationally recognised borders;

4.  Regrets the stalemate in negotiations; calls on both sides to adopt a constructive attitude and to resume the negotiation process; calls on mediators to redouble their efforts and reaffirms its continuing commitment to supporting a comprehensive solution, drawing on all instruments at its disposal in close consultation with the OSCE;

5.  Calls on Russia to discontinue its support for the Transnistrian regime, which threatens Moldova's territorial integrity, and to fulfil the commitments made in 1996 in the Council of Europe and reflected in OSCE Summit decisions (Istanbul, 1999 and Oporto, 2002) concerning the withdrawal of Russian troops and arms from the territory of Moldova; expresses concern over the lack of progress on this issue; urges the Russian Government to put pressure on the Tiraspol authorities to facilitate the process; suggests to the Council to include this item on the agenda for the forthcoming EU-Russia summit scheduled for 24 November 2006;

6.  Calls on the Government of Moldova to undertake confidence-building measures and new proposals for the inhabitants of Transnistria, providing positive incentives in order for them to fully support a peaceful reunification of the state, with minority language rights and local autonomy being safeguarded;

7.  Condemns the continued repression, harassment and intimidation of representatives of the independent media, NGOs and civil society by the self-proclaimed Transnistrian authorities;

8.  Expresses its disappointment over the recent closure by the Transnistrian authorities of all eight schools teaching Romanian in Latin script in Transnistria which was condemned by the OSCE defining this measure as 'linguistic cleansing';

9.  Is concerned by the economic losses which affect Moldova's weak economy as a result of the dispute between Chisinau and Tiraspol regarding export restrictions and the blockade of the railway in Tighina after Tiraspol took control of the section of the Moldovan railway network between Tighina and Ciuciurgan;

10.  Regrets the lack of significant progress in the EU talks on visa facilitation and a readmission agreement with Moldova, which contrasts markedly with the successful conclusion of such an agreement with Russia; considers it unfair and discriminatory that Transnistrian citizens holding Russian passports are benefiting from the possibility of travelling to the EU more easily than Moldovans, which is contributing to increased tensions over the Transnistrian region and acting as a disincentive to settlement of the dispute; calls on the Council and the Commission to speed up the procedure leading to the conclusion of a visa facilitation agreement with Moldova and to ensure its implementation;

11.  Welcomes the good results achieved by the EU Border Assistance Mission (BAM) on the border between Moldova and Ukraine, which was established in March 2005 and is playing an important role in fighting corruption, illegal trade and trafficking by improving transparency and building up appropriate operational and institutional capacities in Moldova to ensure effective border control, thus contributing to the eventual settlement of the Transnistrian conflict;

12.  Expresses its strong and continuing support for the efforts of the Moldovan people to establish a fully functioning democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights in Moldova, which are essential for ensuring the progress of reforms;

13.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Government and Parliament of Moldova and the Council of Europe.