Moldova at the crossroads: tensions with Transnistria ahead of EU membership referendum

euronews (in English)

In October Moldovans will vote on making EU membership a constitutional goal. A 'yes' vote would put the pro-Western leadership on a collision course with the   Russia-leaning breakaway region in the east.

Transcript

00:00Europe, yes or no? That's what the citizens of the Republic of Moldova decide in a referendum.

00:07Shortly before the referendum, I traveled through the country that lies between Romania and Ukraine.

00:13I talked to everyone, with pro-Europeans in the West, but also with pro-Russian separatists in the East, in Transnistria.

00:21A research from a divided country for Euronews Witness.

00:26In the East, the separatist flag is waving.

00:33But let's start this reporting journey in the pro-European West of the Republic of Moldova,

00:39close to the border with Romania, in the city of Ungen, high castle of the textile and leather goods industry.

00:45Stitching and weaving have been part of the tradition here for centuries.

00:50In the summer, people worked in the fields, but in the winter months,

00:54complicated carpet patterns were made at home, says Veronika Urzacsi.

01:11In October, the citizens of Moldova vote in a referendum

01:15whether the accession to the EU as a state goal should be included in the constitution.

01:22Yes, it's very good. We are doing well. The village is flourishing.

01:27Since the roads to Europe were opened, young people leave for Europe,

01:37work, come back and build houses.

01:41The carpet factory was built when Moldova was still part of the Soviet Union.

01:45Over 2,000 people worked here, today there are only 150.

01:50The directors hope that with the accession of Moldova to the EU, things will go back to normal.

01:56For us, joining the EU would mean reducing bureaucracy and increasing production efficiency.

02:08Of course, and besides that, I think we would gain as an image,

02:13because now being a member of the EU is an added value to all this.

02:30And the proof? What do the workers of the European Union think?

02:35Yes, we believe that if we enter Europe, everything will be fine and salaries will increase.

02:43But not all carpet makers share this pro-European optimism.

02:48The prices of the shops are increasing day by day.

02:53The invoices and prices of the shops are increasing. That's the problem.

03:00But the majority of Moldovans refuse to join the EU.

03:04Even today, Moldova has access to subsidies.

03:07For example, the photovoltaic module factory can be installed on the roof

03:10and thus reduce electricity and operating costs.

03:13I hope it will be better.

03:17I wish you all the best.

03:22I lived abroad for 12 years. I lived in Italy.

03:27I came back home because I wanted to do something at home.

03:32I came back home because this is my home.

03:36After the energy price crisis, the export to the EU is starting again.

03:40The company wants to employ 30 new employees.

03:45I think salaries will increase and exports will be better.

03:50More exports to Europe.

03:55For our factory, it will help us to earn money at home.

04:04Without going anywhere.

04:06The Republic of Moldova is a divided country.

04:09In the East, there are pro-Russian separatists.

04:12As a journalist from Western Europe, I only get an exception permit through the checkpoints.

04:19About 2,000 Russian soldiers are still stationed in Transnistria.

04:2534 years ago, the Russian-speaking region declared itself independent.

04:30A tiny pseudo-state worldwide without recognition.

04:33Incidentally, not from Moscow either.

04:35So far.

04:37Yes, here in Transnistria, a new law has just been passed.

04:41You are not allowed to say the word Transnistria anymore.

04:44Otherwise, you get 15 days in prison.

04:46That's why I say it quietly.

04:48I am in Transnistria.

04:50Only the Russian word Pridnestrovje can still be used.

04:55A survey in the separatist capital Tiraspol.

04:58What does it mean for Transnistria when Moldova becomes a member of the EU?

05:03In general, I think it is a good initiative and favorable for Transnistria and Moldova.

05:10Well, probably more with Russia.

05:15And all the residents here are going in that direction, not to the EU.

05:21But everyone works in the EU.

05:24We are waiting for Russia.

05:26And with Russia, of course, our future will be the best, beautiful, cheerful.

05:30Because we will already be recognized as part of Russia.

05:34Transnistria's heavy industry is delivered with Russian gas almost free of charge.

05:39End of December could be the end of it.

05:41That would be the end of many large companies.

05:44In addition, Moldova has been raising tariffs since the beginning of the year

05:48and is intensified against money laundering.

05:50This hurts the Transnistrian oligarchs.

05:53In addition, there is the suspicion that components from Transnistria are used in Russian weapons.

05:59This is called dual use.

06:01Dmitry Romash is on the list of suspects.

06:04The chairman of the Transnistrian Employment Association denies this

06:08and criticizes the sharp export controls of the Republic of Moldova.

06:12More than 40,000 workers from all enterprises of the Republic came here to Tiraspol

06:20and expressed their discontent.

06:23Well, somewhere within 70-80 million euros we lost, our budget lost.

06:34The separatist leadership calls the Moldovan customs as aggression.

06:38Sergei Obolnik calls himself the Minister of Economy of Transnistria.

06:44Since January, what is the impact of those new custom duties for your economy?

06:51This product became 15-20% more expensive and, accordingly, became more expensive than Moldovan goods.

07:01With the West, all necessary tools for interaction also disappear.

07:08In the form of double taxation, in the form of closing accounts in Moldovan banks.

07:15This creates a situation when the industrial collapse is almost present.

07:23Back to the official capital of the Republic of Moldova, back to Chisinau.

07:28I have an appointment with the real Minister of Economy and deputy head of government, Dmitry Liban.

07:35Preparations for the integration of Moldovan economy into the European market are in full swing.

07:40But what about Transnistria?

07:44We have a separatist region in the East. How the integration into European Union impacts Transnistria?

07:50This part of our economy is quite well integrated with around 80% of the exports going into the European Union.

07:59Transnistrian government is complaining, saying it's not fair to put big companies under embargo.

08:06When a Moldovan company producing these dual-use goods is intending to export them to Russia, then we do not authorize it. Full stop.

08:16Will Transnistria be part of the European Union?

08:20Of course.

08:21When?

08:22This is something that is yet to be settled.

08:25When Moldova will be a member of the European Union?

08:292030.

08:32The last stop of my journey is a small village in the center of the Republic of Moldova.

08:41Igor Golbian founded a start-up for organic products like dried fruits and sunflower oil.

08:47Because many Moldovans work in the West, he recruits workers from India.

08:54Golbian has plans to export to Romania, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.

09:00What should we pay attention to?

09:02First of all, the proposals, the suggestions I give, to be interested in all the requirements of the buyer.

09:11They are very well informed, what are the packaging, storage, transportation, acquisition requirements.

09:21Practically, they are all important, no one should neglect them.

09:26At the moment, we are at a very important stage in the development of the Republic of Moldova and the companies of the Republic of Moldova,

09:34because we are now catching the last train from that locomotive that is leaving for the European Union.

09:40A pre-decision the Moldovans make at the European referendum in October.

09:45But also the 27 member states of the EU must first give their yes.

09:50This can still take time.

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