NATO's position on the Transnistrian conflict (VIDEO)
Elena Vnorovscaia/ Chișinău / Moldova.ORG / -- On 17 of July, there took place a seminar, the agenda of which was the New Strategic Concept of NATO and the perspectives for partnership in Chisinau. The main speaker was the Ambassador Dirk Brengelmann, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy. He was asked many questions about Moldova.
In particular, one of those questions, which has been raised, has become the theme of the current situation in the Transnistrian region and the NATO’s position related to it.
The Ambassador, in response to this question, began with the reminding of the fact that in the North Atlantic Alliance eyes the Republic of Moldova is an active member and a partner for peace and security and that is enshrined by the participation of Moldova in the program "Partnership for Peace." Mr. Brengelmann said that although NATO is not involved directly in the "5 +2" negotiation process, the Alliance, however, is definitely interested in resolving the conflict as fast as possible. Since the Alliance is not a direct player in this conflict, it has no right by any manner of means to influence events in Transnistria.
But this does not cancel the NATO interest in safety and peace in the region, which is nearby the area of its members and partners. Frozen conflicts have always attracted the attention of the Alliance, as the recognition or non-recognition of independence of the political units often involve a threat to the security of the civilian population in the region.
The Ambassador said that if there is an opportunity to influence a conflict, it is possible to accelerate the process of resolving such problems in other regions. For today Moldova is not a NATO member, so it is difficult to talk about any prospects for the Alliance’s intervention in the current situation in the Transnistrian region. Nevertheless, Dirk Brengelmann mentioned the readiness and willingness of NATO to support its partners and that NATO also has an active partnership with the countries that preserve Constitutional neutrality.
At the meeting the Ambassador was asked a direct question, which was “What would be the reaction of NATO, if Russia would threaten peace and security of civilians on the Moldovan territory, if they needed help and deliverance”. Dirk Brengelmann believes that despite of the fact that today the Republic of Moldova is not a member country of the North Atlantic Alliance, the threat to security in the region could lead to some discussion and debate, and certainly would not go unnoticed. It would surely become a major defense disturb in the region.
Thus, we can say that NATO is monitoring the situation and is interested in the soonest resolve of the conflict in Transnistria. As a partner for peace Moldova won’t be left without any support of the North Atlantic Alliance.
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