La visite surprise du président roumain a-t-elle contribué à améliorer les relations entre Bucarest et Moscou – ou le véritable sujet des discussions était-il la question du conflit séparatiste en Moldavie, s’interroge Razvan Amariei dans Transitions Online.
When Romanian president Traian Basescu paid the Kremlin an unexpected visit on 14 and 15 February, restoring trust between the two countries was at the top of his agenda. The talks mainly concerned security cooperation in the Black Sea region and ending the Transdniester conflict.
« Its historical complexes cost Romania 15 years in the relationship with Moscow. … The past is a reality, but I’m convinced we will find the necessary resources to look toward the future, » Basescu said in Moscow.
ITAR-TASS quoted him as telling Russian President Vladimir Putin, « It is very much hoped that, during my presidential mandate, I succeed in becoming one of your European friends, who can phone you at any time and whom you can phone at any time. »
In the background of the meeting were two topics that were not officially discussed: the Ribbentrop-Molotov treaty that in 1940 allowed the Soviet Union to occupy the eastern regions of Romania, which now form the independent Republic of Moldova and parts of Ukraine, and the issue of the Romanian Treasury–money, gold, and art sheltered in Moscow during World War I and never returned in its entirety.
Basescu said he would leave those « to the historians and experts on both sides. »
Discussion instead focused on Moldova and on Basescu’s plan for cooperation with Russia in solving the problems of the Black Sea region.
Basescu explained that the Black Sea region was « an area of top interest for both countries, from where drugs are transferred to Europe, weapons are illegally exported toward conflict zones, and human beings are trafficked to the EU. »
The Russian president agreed that the countries of the region should work together to fight those problems.
It is less clear what Putin thinks of Basescu’s other concern, Moldova. The Moldovan government in Chisinau has been trying for years to recover the self-proclaimed Transdniester Republic in the eastern part of the country, which receives Russian support.
Moldova, Russia, and neighboring Ukraine are currently engaged in talks under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to resolve the status of the separatist region, which was created in the early 1990s and has since been led by a group of ethnic Russians propped up by a significant Russian military presence.
Romania’s interest in the area is deeper than officially expressed, as ethnic Romanians make up two-thirds of Moldova’s population.
All eyes on Moldova
While Basescu did not present any specific plans for resolving the Transdniester issue, he was unusually blunt in asserting Romania’s involvement in the matter.
« I stressed Romania’s interest in helping to find a solution for the Transdniester problem, as this region is very close to our border. … Therefore, we believe it is a national security issue, » the Romanian leader told journalists on his return to Bucharest.
This was not the first time Basescu had brought up the issue; he did so in Chisinau and in London in January. It was the first time, however, that he was so outspoken about Romania’s stake in the conflict.
So far, the only reaction to Basescu’s statements has come from Igor Smirnov, leader of the Transdniester Republic. « From our point of view, Romania gave military support to Moldova during the conflict and didn’t try to stop the bloodletting. As a result, we don’t agree to Romania taking part in the negotiations, » he told a press conference.
The Transdniester issue plays a major role in Moldova’s electoral campaign for the 6 March parliamentary elections. Local politicians as well as the Russian media recently speculated that the conflict might be renewed–speculations fueled by Russia’s suspension of its withdrawal of arms, ammunition, and military personnel from Transdniester.
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