On May 15, 2012 International round table devoted to the 15th Anniversary of the Memorandum on the Bases for Normalization of Relations between the Republic of Moldova and Pridnestrovie took Place in Tiraspol took place in the Pridnestrovian State University under T.G. Shevchenko. The event was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PMR, the Pridnestrovian State University under T.G. Shevchenko and by the Consultative Council under the President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic on international affairs.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PMR Nina Shtanski, Deputy Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev, Russian Ambassador-at-Large Sergei Gubarev, Counselor-Envoy of the Russian Embassy Vitaly Tryapitsyn, Counselor-Envoy of the Ukrainian Embassy in Moldova Gennady Altukhov, Counselor on Political Issues of the OSCE Mission in Moldova Yukhan Kahk, Rector of the Pridnestrovian State University under T.G. Shevchenko Stepan Beril, head of Consultative Council on Foreign Affairs Ilya Galinsky, representatives of the PMR's MFA, political scientists, experts and representatives of Media took part in the work of round table.
Sergei Gubarev greeted members of the round table on the behalf of Vice Premier of the Government of the Russian Federation, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Rogozin.
During the meeting reports devoted to the Moscow Memorandum, its role and topicality on modern phase were presented and discussed. Experts analyzed the fate of the Common State concept, ascertained attitude of individual participants of the settlement process to the provisions of the Moscow Memorandum, studied the role and impact of Memorandum on development of different spheres of life in Pridnestrovie. The issue about implementation of the Memorandum's provisions on current stage of settlement process was also raised. Detailed and interesting discussion reflecting the historical importance of the document took place.
Memorandum was signed on May 8, 1997 in Moscow. It was signed by the Presidents of Russia, Ukraine, Pridnestrovie and Moldova Boris Yeltsin, Leonid Kuchma, Igor Smirnov, Petr Luchinsky and acting Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE Niels Helveg Petersen. According to the members of the round table, this document was a result of a compromise which summarized the achievements of first years of the negotiation process and it became a base for most of following projects of settlement.
The following resolution was adopted on the basis of the International Round Table:
RESOLUTION
of the International Round Table
“15 Years of the Memorandum on the Bases for Normalization of Relations between the Republic of Moldova and Pridnestrovie: historical significance of the document and
topicality of its principles at the present stage”
Tiraspol May, 15, 2012
On May 15, 2012 International Round Table “15 Years of the Memorandum on the Bases for Normalization of Relations between the Republic of Moldova and Pridnestrovie: historical significance of the document andtopicality of its principles at the present stage” took place at the Conference Hall of the Pridnestrovian State University under T.G. Shevchenko.
The event was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PMR, the Pridnestrovian State University under T.G. Shevchenko and by the Consultative Council under the President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic on international affairs.
Representatives of the Foreign Ministry of the PMR, professors and students of the Pridnestrovian State University under T.G. Shevchenko, members of the Consultative Council on Foreign Affairs, public figures, experts and independent journalists took part in the work of round table. Diplomatic representatives of the Russian Federation, Ukraine, OSCE were also present at the event.
Negotiation process between Moldova and Pridnestrovie which has been held already for 18 years went through different periods: certain successes in achievement of the compromises by the sides, diplomats and expert community proposed rather vital constructions, sometimes it seemed, that the sides are footstep away from the settlement; there were also destructive unilateral decisions, which led to frustration of negotiation and long-term period of stagnation in normalization of relations. Rich diplomatic practice accumulated during these years saw only one example, when the sides of negotiation, and guarantor states, and intermediaries had common position in relation to future model of settlement. Principles of this model were fixed in 1997 Moscow Memorandum. They revealed themselves as generalization of outcomes of the first years of negotiation process and served as a base for majority of further attempts of political settlement.
The document appeared as a result of long and complicated process; it is an example of overcoming of high political standard on the basis of principles of equality and compromise.
The participants of International Round Table paid attention to the fact, that during 15 years 1997 Memorandum has not lost its' topicality, at the same time political changes that took place in Moldova, in Pridnestrovie and in the whole world do not allow to consider it as effective basis for the dialogue between Kishinev and Tiraspol.
Nevertheless, certain elements fixed in Memorandum were, remain and, it seems to be, will remain needed until the final settlement of Moldova-Pridnestrovie relations. This corroborates further experience of negotiation process. Among such elements we can name principle of non-use of force or threat of force, principle of equality of the sides of negotiations, firmness of current standard of the peacekeeping operation and the necessity of guarantees from the side of Russia and Ukraine.
During the sitting of the Round Table consolidated opinion, that it is not possible to solve political, status issues between Moldova and Pridnestrovie at present time, was worked out. The concept of “common state” which 15 years ago allowed to make considerable progress in the settlement turned out to be nonviable. By 1997 the sides came closer in their interaction in socio-economic sphere. This constructive experience is especially demanded at present time, when the sides achieve real results which facilitate peoples' lives carrying out the policy of “small steps”.
The participants of the Round Table welcome coordination of principles and procedures of holding of negotiations within the framework of Permanent Consultations on Political Issues in the Framework of the Pridnestrovian Settlement Negotiation Process reached on April 18, 2012 during the consultations in Vienna.
Pridnestrovian side expressed intention in future to attract scientific and expert community to discussion of issues connected with solving of problems on achievement of just and long-term settlement of Moldova-Pridnestrovie relations by peaceful political means more actively.
The participants of International Round Table – senior representatives of organs of state power of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, members of Consultative Council under the President of the PMR on international affairs and interested representatives of expert community expressed their opinion on high topicality of the provision which states, that any discord must be solved exceptionally by positive means, by means of negotiations and consultations, on need for further systemic activity aimed at formation of good-neighborly atmosphere in the relations between Pridnestrovie and the Republic of Moldova.
