Resolution on a political settlement to the Trans- Dniestrian problem
Date: 1998-12-17
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: Moldova, Russia, settlement of disputes, tax-free allowance

C 98/290

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

9. 4. 1999

Thursday 17 December 1998

11. Moldova

B4-1087, 1100, 1138, 1144 and 1151/98

Resolution on a political settlement to the Trans-Dniestrian problem

The European Parliament,

−  having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the

Republic of Moldova,

−  having  regard  to  the  ‘Moscow  Memorandum’  on  steps  to  be  taken  for  a  future  solution  of  the
Moldova-Trans-Dniestria  conflict,  which  was  signed  on  8  May  1997  between  the  leaders  of  the
Republic of Moldova and Trans-Dniestria and representatives of the Russian Federation, the Ukraine
and the OSCE,

−  having  regard  to  the  recommendations  dated  8  October  1998  of  the  EU-Moldova  Parliamentary
Cooperation Committee and the declaration of its co-chairmen concerning the Trans-Dniestrian issue,

A.  whereas since the end of the Moldovan-Trans-Dniestrian war in July 1992, little progress has been
achieved  in  bringing  about  a  political  settlement  between  Moldova  and  the  separatist  region  of
Trans-Dniestria,

B.  alarmed by the presence of considerable quantities of former Soviet weapons and ammunition which

continue to be stored in Trans-Dniestria under the protection of the Russian XIVth Army,

C.  noting that on 30 November 1998 at the OSCE Ministerial Council, representatives of the OSCE, the
Russian Federation and the Ukraine proposed certain practical steps which could assist with resolving
the problem,

D.  emphasising that decisive steps should be taken to achieve a solution to this conflict, including the
starting of a dialogue on the division of competences and the future status of Trans-Dniestria within
Moldova,  the  mutual  refraining  from  escalating  actions  and  the  joint  exploration  of  interim
cooperative actions, especially in the economic field,

E.  whereas the European Union could make a more active contribution to the solution of this problem by
increasing TACIS support, and supporting shared infrastructure projects, humanitarian projects for
the  benefit  of  both  parts  of  the  population  and  the  joint  training  of  cadres,  above  and  beyond  the
support already made available for the Republic of Moldova,

F.  deploring  the  continued  detention  in  the  Trans-Dniestrian  region  of  Mr  Ilie  Ilascu,  a  Member  of

Parliament, sentenced to death in 1992 by the Trans-Dniestrian authorities,

1.
Calls on the Government and the Parliament of Moldova and the Trans-Dniestrian authorities to give
their fullest possible cooperation to all initiatives to establish a peaceful and negotiated solution to the
conflict between the Republic of Moldova and the Trans-Dniestria region;

2. Welcomes the initiative taken by the OSCE meeting and calls on the OSCE and the governments of
the  Russian  Federation  and  Ukraine  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  help  achieve  a  negotiated  political
settlement;

Calls on the Commission and the Council to support the process of solving the conflict by giving
3.
greater political significance to the matter and through projects benefiting both parts of the population
beyond the support already made available within the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement;

4.
Calls on the Russian Government to continue the withdrawal of Russian troops from Trans-Dniestria
including  the  repatriation  to  Russia  or  destruction  of  all  Russian  military  material  stored  in  Trans-
Dniestria;

Calls  on  the  Trans-Dniestrian  authorities  to  release  immediately  Mr  Ilie  Ilascu  and  the  others

5.
imprisoned with him;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the OSCE, and the

6.
Parliament and Government of the Republic of Moldova and the Trans-Dniestrian authorities.