TRANSNISTRIA IN THE NEW REGIONAL CONTEXT: COOPERATION BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA AND UKRAINE IN STRENGTHENING THE BORDER

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to analyse the current situation on the border of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, in the current regional problematic security context. At the moment, neither the Republic of Moldova nor Ukraine has full control over its territory. Eastern Ukraine undergoes continuous armed confrontations, while the implementation of the Minsk agreements remains uncertain. As regards the Republic of Moldova, political instability and economic crisis continue to threaten its security and corruption is also a major obstacle for the administration in Kiev and Chisinau. However, a new regional context emerges after the signature of the Association Agreements of both countries with the EU in July 2014. The Republic of Moldova and Ukraine are bind to cooperate to strengthen their borders, in order to benefit from the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the EU. In addition, new agreements signed by the two countries in November 2015 established joint border controls at Pervomaisc and Kuchurhan points and, also, cross-border data exchange at the common frontier points. The Republic of Moldova and Ukraine implemented several years ago a joint control at the Northern border point Mamaliga – Criva, but it is for the first time when this will happen just a few kilometres away from Tiraspol, the so-called capital of the breakaway region of Transnistria. The agreements signature to strengthen their common border follows the 2015 restrictions imposed by Ukraine on the passage of goods at Moldovan – Ukrainian border, limiting, also, the free movements of Russian troops to the breakaway region of Transnistria. Moreover, Kiev denounced in 2015 several agreements signed with Russia on military cooperation, including the 1995 agreement regarding the transit of its territory and the supply of Russian troops stationed in Transnistria. On the other side, Tiraspol faces a deep economic crisis, aggravated by the political rivalries, emerged after the “parliamentary elections” held in November 2015. The region is also planning “presidential elections” in December 2016. As of January 2016, the European Union extended the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area to the whole territory of the Republic of Moldova, including the Transnistrian region. In this context, border cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine will have crucial influence on the relations of the two states with the separatist administration from Tiraspol. Amid political instability in Chisinau and also Kiev and taking into consideration the developments in Eastern Ukraine, prospects for solving the “frozen conflict” i