On July 28, 2012 International Scientific-Expert Forum “Peacekeeping Operation on the Dniester in the Context of Geopolitical Challenges of Modernity” took place in Tiraspol.
President of the PMR Yevgeny Shevchuk, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, State Secretary Grigory Karasin, Bashkan of Gagauzia Mikhail Formuzal, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the PMR Mikhail Burla addressed to participants with opening speeches during the event. Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on Pridnestrovie, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin addressed participants of the international forum with TV address. Reports were made during the work of the forum by senior fellow of the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies Vasily Kashirin, Director of Center of Studies of South-Ukrainian Borderland Vladimir Korobov and Director of Institute of Russian Diaspora Sergei Panteleev.
Yevgeny Shevchuk: “Any transformation or modification of the existing format of the peacekeeping operation is out of the question”
President of the PMR Yevgeny Shevchuk reminded about difficult conditions in which Pridnestrovian statehood was born while opening the forum and addressing it with an opening speech. “Two decades ago our people became victim of aggression from those who used to pontify about humanism, new thinking, and equality from international bully pulpits. At the same time Pridnestrovians had to defend their most fundamental human rights: right to live, to speak their mother-tongue, to teach their children, to live without fear for their future”, – the President said. According to the Head of State, in conditions of war of 1992 intermediation of the third force needed and only Russia could be that force. After 5 months of hostilities airplanes with Russian peacekeepers on board arrived to Tiraspol and in some days firm peace and order were established on Dniester. Due to Russia “for 20 years our people live in atmosphere of stability and security”.
“Deployment of peacekeeping contingent guaranteed security of our people, provided possibility of further development of Pridnestrovian statehood – free from discrimination and impairment of rights on grounds of ethnic-linguistic principle. Indeed, presence of effective peacekeeping mechanism opened doors for activation of negotiation process during which certain normalization of relations between Pridnestrovie and Moldova was outlined and number of agreements was signed in 1994, 1997, 2011” – Yevgeny Shevchuk pointed out.
According to the Head of State, today only the mandate of the peacekeeping mission work to the requirements of maintaining stability and peace on the banks of Dniester and high international standards of peacekeeping operations. “I would like to point it out that until Moldova-Pridnestrovie relations are not completely resolved, any transformation or modification of the existing format of the peacekeeping operation is out of question”, – President stated,
Yevgeny Shevchuk also called attention to the fact that the peacekeeping operation if an important factor of security of rights and interests of Russian compatriots in the entire region. It was and it remains an instrument of “soft power”. “Peacekeeping operation forms positive image of Russia, it proves its outstanding role in maintaining stability on banks of Dniester, its historical mission in life of many peoples”, – President said.
In the end of speech Yevgeny Shevchuk congratulated all the peacekeepers with their professional holiday and reminded that peacekeeping operation is carried out by particular persons who are drawing their duties, often in difficult conditions, and are contributing to regional and European stability.
Dmitry Rogozin: “Russia will not agree to restructure the peacekeeping operation”
Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on Pridnestrovie Dmitry Rogozin congratulated peacekeepers and all Pridnestrovians with the Day of the Peacekeeper. He noted that attempts to reform peacekeeping operation on Dniester are made by those who don't need peace. But much Pridnestrovian blood was spilled in 1992 and Russia will not agree to restructure the peacekeeping operation. “We will not agree with this and peoples living on banks of Dniester won't agree with this either. And until political conditions are set to fortify stable and, maybe, eternal peace in this wonderful region of Europe, Russian peacekeepers will remain here and they will fulfill their duties regardless to hand-wringing of certain politicians”, – Dmitry Rogozin said. He also expressed his faith that Russian peacekeepers will create the calmness without which any economic prosperity and stability are impossible.
Grigory Karasin: “Status of Pridnestrovie should take into account interests of Pridnestrovians”
Addressing the international conference devoted to the 20th anniversary of deployment of peacekeeping forces in the Security Zone, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation State Secretary Grigory Karasin noted the importance of the Agreement of July 21, 1992 on the base of which “the peacekeepers took responsibility for maintaining regime of the Security Zone which appeared to be a roadmap in process of formation of legal framework of Pridnestrovian settlement”.
Special importance of the document, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, was provided by the fact that “the responsibilities assumed by the sides were based on respect of the UN and the OSCE Charters and from the very beginning were declared an integral part of the peaceful political settlement process”.
Grigory Karasin is sure that following experience decisively proved sustainability of this mandate which has prevention of hostilities, maintaining stability and providing conditions for political talks as its integral parts.
“Recognition of inadmissibility of sanctions and blockades has mobilizing legal and moral-political value in the dialogue of the sides”, – Russian diplomat pointed out.
Addressing participants, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Grigory Karasin stated that Russia, as a guarantor-state in implementing agreements between Kishinev and Tiraspol, is proud with the fact that Russian peacekeepers, together with their Moldovan, Pridnestrovian and Ukrainian colleagues are securing civic peace, interethnic consent and European security”.
At the same time pain inflicted to Pridnestrovians in 1992 is not calmed down and that is why now striving to “secure guarantees of peaceful life, exercising right to self-determine in the difficult world is one of the major tasks”, – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs noted.
On the issue of future format of existence of Pridnestrovian state Grigory Karasin said: “Sustainable formula of special status of Pridnestrovie should clearly define preconditions of beneficial integration cooperation. Attempts to build policy on contradistinguishing vectors of integration – is an anachronism”.
In the end of his address Deputy Head of Russian Foreign-Political agency noted that peacekeeping operation in Pridnestrovie “is one of the most effective on the European continent”.
Mikhail Formuzal: “Peacekeeping operation on Dniester – is the most effective in the world”
Bashkan of Gagauzia Mikhail Formuzal called peacekeeping operation on Dniester to be the most effective in the world and one of important foreign-political successes in Russia's modern history. “For 20 years of its existence peacekeeping contingent always operated in framework of its mandate. It was able to prevent new hostilities and promoted security in the region. There were no victims among civil population since peacekeepers' presence in the region and Russian peacekeepers enjoy absolute authority and respect among population”, – Mikhail Formuzal noted.
Bashkan of Gagauzia also expressed his readiness to become a co-organizer of such event in Komrat. “I am sure that realization of such forum in Gagauzia with participation of Moldova, Pridnestrovian and Russian experts shall promote shared view on effectiveness of peacekeeping operation in Pridnestrovie”, – Mikhail Formuzal said.
Mikhail Burla: “Peacekeeping operation on Dniester became one of the major factors which allowed to create main attributes of Pridnestrovian statehood in conditions of peace”
Chairman of the Supreme Council of the PMR Mikhail Burla noted that the peacekeeping operation on Dniester became one of the major factors which allowed to create main attributes of Pridnestrovian statehood, to reform economic system and to create special type of mixed economy which corresponds to the realities of modern world, to secure human rights of Pridnestrovian people, to start solving issues in social sphere.
In his address Mikhail Burla noted scientific-practical importance of the forum. He concluded that today such events should work out grounds for legal framework which would exclude forever any reoccurrence of hostilities in Pridnestrovie.
Vasily Kashirin: “Issue of format of the peacekeeping operation on Dniester is not a subject for diplomatic trade”
Senior fellow of the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies Vasily Kashirin stressed out in his report that current peacekeeping operation can be considered “historical and geopolitically-important event” to the full extent.
“Russian peacekeeping has principal differences from Western peacekeeping, – Vasily Kashirin assured, – because Western peacekeeping is an instrument of enforcement not only for peace but for joint life of antagonistic societies”.
Vasily Kashirin noted that leading and unique role of Russia in securing peace and order on Dniester – is a logical and rightful event both from historical and geopolitical point of view. It is a reflection not only of state policy, but of powerful consolidating role of the people of the Russian Federation. “Even in time of maximal political weakness, position of official Moscow remained unchanged: any changes in format of peacekeeping operation and status of peacekeeping forces are possible only after full-fledged political settlement on Dniester”, – Russian scientist said.
At the same time, Western representatives don't even hide the fact that their most important goal in the region is liquidation of Russian peacekeeping mission on Dniester. Even more, it is their geopolitical imperative. “This policy is connected with attempts to extend experience of Bosnia-Kosovo settlement on Pridnestrovie and Moldova, experience of enforcement to peace”, – Vasily Kashirin pointed out.
In his report Russian expert noted that “West is unable neither to adhere to universal norms of international law, nor to propose to Russia such forms of equal cooperation in peacekeeping sphere which would serve the national interests of Russia and its allies”. The expert is sure that thus any calls for restructuring of the peacekeeping operation on Dniester conflict with Russia's interests.
Vasily Kashirin expressed his belief that issue of continuation of the peacekeeping operation on Dniester under the aegis of Russia “is not and won't become a subject for diplomatic trade”. By contrast, as Russian academician pointed out, “this is the most important element of general security in Europe”.
Vladimir Korobov: “Ukraine should join strong project by Dmitry Rogozin”
Director of Center of Studies of South-Ukrainian Borderland Vladimir Korobov began his report with a statement that “Ukrainians should share the high estimation of the peacekeeping operation” during which “forces of fascism and militant nationalism could not enslave Pridnestrovian people”.
“People of Novorossya traditionally owe solidarity and mutual sympathy towards the peace-loving Pridnestrovie” – Ukrainian expert said. But “diplomatic silence of Kiev and of Ukrainian Embassy in the Republic of Moldova in these days testifies serous problems in Ukrainian foreign policy which does not fully corresponds to the interests of our (Ukrainian) region. Values of our people and of our elite doesn't correspond each other” – Vladimir Korobov said. “Both Head of the PMR Yevgeny Shevchuk and Minister Nina Shtanski are demonstrating full match between our (Ukrainian) interests”, – Ukrainian expert noted.
According to Director of Center of Studies of South-Ukrainian Borderland Ukrainian position on Russian peacekeeping operation should be considered as dual one. Multiple official statements in which Ukraine agreed with constructive role of peacekeeping mandate is joined with idea of soonest possible transformation of this mandate into mission of civil observers, expressed by some politicians. This duality, according to Vladimir Korobov, is manifested in position of Ukrainian politicians: “to support on words and not to promote the peacekeeping operation in fact”.
Number of events demonstrate that diplomatic attack on peacekeeping operation in Pridnestrovie started, in particular, in framework of active preparation of Ukraine to chairmanship in the OSCE in 2013. However, according to Ukrainian expert's opinion, realization of such ideas is unrealistic.
Because Ukrainian position can be characterized as “conciliatory and not principal one”, variant of her joining strong geopolitical project, as the one voiced by Dmitry Rogozin, can not be excluded, Vladimir Korobov said.
It is necessary to take into account that “Ukrainian public opinion is favorable towards the peacekeeping operation on Dniester”, – Ukrainian expert concluded.
