C 479/10
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
16.12.2022
Thursday 19 May 2022
29.
Rejects and expresses concern over the 3 March 2022 statement of the authorities in the occupied Transnistria region of Moldova, announcing an end to the settlement process and issuing a renewed call for the recognition of the so-called independence of Transnistria; reiterates its support for a comprehensive and peaceful settlement of the Transnistria conflict through the 5+2 negotiation process, based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova, within its internationally recognised borders, with a special status for the Transnistrian region within a viable Moldovan state; underlines that any resolution to the Transnistrian issue must respect Moldova’s sovereign right to choose its own defence and foreign policy orientation; supports efforts to extend the benefits of the DCFTA and the visa-free regime to the Transnistrian region, which would enable significant growth in mobility and trade with the region;
30.
Notes that the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine plays a very important role in harmonising border management and customs regimes with that of the Union, also with regard to fighting organised crime and smuggling and contributing to the peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian issue through confidence-building measures and as a monitoring presence at the Transnistrian segment of the Moldova-Ukraine border; encourages the Moldovan Government to continue promoting an environment favourable to the settlement of conflicts and supporting activities that increase confidence and people-to-people contacts across conflict-divided communities; believes that a constructive conclusion to the Transnistrian issue will bring stability and prosperity not only to Moldova, but also to the wider area;
31.
Calls on Moldova, the Russian Federation, the EU Member States and other international partners to cooperate on the total removal and destruction of about 20 000 tonnes of old Soviet-era ammunition stored at the Cobasna ammunition depot, which represents a grave danger for the security of people and the environment on both banks of the Dniester river, given that it is well past its expiry date; expresses its concern over the numerous military exercises conducted by the Russian military forces in Transnistria and calls on the Russian Federation to completely and unconditionally withdraw its military forces and armaments from the Transnistria region in an orderly manner, in accordance with the repeated requests of the Moldovan authorities and with respect for Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity;
32.
Expresses its concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in the Transnistrian region, notably the persecution of persons critical of the de facto administration and the deployment of the Russian army, and restrictions on the public assemblies and activities of local NGOs; reminds the Russian Federation of the responsibility it has regarding respect for human rights in the Transnistria region, as confirmed by several rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR); calls on the Russian authorities to execute all ECtHR judgments relating to violations of human rights and the right to freedom and security in the Transnistria region;
33.
Praises the Moldovan authorities for the support offered to the Transnistria region in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, including through the donation of 10 % of its vaccine supply, the training of medical staff and the processing of COVID-19 tests;
34.
Welcomes the Council decision to provide EUR 7 million in assistance under the European Peace Facility to the Armed Forces of Moldova for the acquisition of medical and explosive ordnance disposal equipment; encourages the EEAS and the Council to further extend areas of cooperation with Moldova and support the strengthening of the capacity of the defence sector through assistance measures under this instrument;
35.
Encourages the Moldovan authorities to make further use of potential European Peace Facility assistance in subsequent annual programmes in order to consolidate its capacity to counter cyber and hybrid threats; calls for the EU institutions to include Moldova in new formats of cooperation on cybersecurity, hybrid threats and cybercrime investigations, including by involving the new European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre in these efforts;
Rule of law and good governance
36.
Reiterates the fundamental importance of justice reform, in particular strengthening the independence and competences of the judiciary, and the fight against corruption; recognises the magnitude of the challenge faced by the authorities and encourages them to focus on established priorities; notes the commitment of President Maia Sandu and the government of Natalia Gavriliţa to base their policies on rulings of the Moldovan Constitutional Court; calls for the acceleration of the ongoing justice reform, including the implementation of the amendments to the Constitution’s provisions on justice voted on by the Moldovan Parliament on 23 September 2021, as well as of the Strategy for Ensuring the Independence and Integrity of the Justice Sector 2022-2025;