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 Elisabeth Schroedter
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
on Transnistria

B6‑0546/2006

European Parliament resolution on Transnistria

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Moldova and the situation in Transnistria, and in particular that of 16 March 2006,

–  having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Moldova and the European Union (EU), which entered into force on 1 July 1998,

–  having regard to the statements of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) at the 1999 Summit in Istanbul and the 2002 OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Porto,

–  having regard to the Presidency statement of 18 September 2006 on the 'referendum' in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova,

–  having regard to the OSCE statement of 18 September 2006 on the 'referendum' in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova,

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

A.  whereas a 'referendum' took place in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova on 17 September 2006, aimed at the full independence of the region and its possible unification with the Russian Federation, contradicting the internationally recognised sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova,

B.  whereas neither this 'referendum' nor its outcome were accepted by the international community, as it was organised in a completely unilateral manner by the repressive regime of Transnistria, thus blocking the possibilities for a negotiated political solution to the conflict in Moldova, and as the suggestive character of the questions and the failure to meet basic requirements for free and fair elections such as freedom of the media, freedom of assembly and political pluralism were considered as predetermining the outcome of the referendum,

C.  whereas on 10 October 2006 the Moldovan region of Transnistria rejected a compromise plan proposed by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe to settle the conflict,

D.  whereas the European Union took important steps recently to enhance its engagement with the Republic of Moldova and the search for a resolution of the Transnistrian conflict, by opening a permanent European Commission delegation in Chisinau, appointing an EU Special Representative (EUSR) for Moldova with a mandate to contribute towards a sustainable settlement of the Transnistria conflict and establishing an EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) to Moldova and Ukraine,

E.  whereas at the beginning of this year the Russian Federation imposed a ban on the import of agricultural products (wine, fruit and vegetables) from Moldova, which is particularly harmful to economic trade between the two countries, is cutting traditional trade relations and is therefore having a negative impact on the economic development of Moldova,

F.  whereas the unilateral movements for independence in Transnistria are formed by the self-appointed undemocratic leaders of Transnistria, and are not being supported by any international organisation, and whereas continuing efforts are being made under the auspices of the OSCE and the United Nations to restore the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Moldova,

1.  Strongly denounces the attempt in the Moldovan region of Transnistria to establish its independence in a unilateral way by organising a so-called referendum;

2.  Fully rejects the organisation and the outcome of the 'referendum' on the independence of the Moldovan region of Transnistria and its possible accession to the Russian Federation as it is in sharp contradiction with the internationally recognised sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova and as the repressive regime in Transnistria does not allow for the free expression of the popular will;

3.  Calls on the Government of the Russian Federation to withhold its support from this move and in particular from the organisation of so-called referenda on the independence of the region; calls on the Government of the Russian Federation to give its fullest support to the multilateral efforts to find a solution to the conflicts in its neighbourhood;

4.  Welcomes the efforts made by Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE to restart the talks by beginning consultations with Moldovan and Transnistrian officials on 18 October;

5.  Calls on both parties to the conflict to return immediately to the OSCE-led negotiations in the 5+2 format and work towards a speedy and transparent solution of the Transnistria conflict;

6.  Calls on the Council, the Member States and the Commission to continue to give their fullest support to a political and peaceful solution of the regional conflicts in the neighbourhood which the EU shares with the Russian Federation, and urges them to discuss these matters in their next meetings with the President and Government of the Russian Federation;

7.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the governments and parliaments of Moldova and the Russian Federation.