EU Presidency declaration on the closure of Moldovan schools in Transnistria

The European Union condemns actions that were taken against several Moldovan schools in Transnistria by the armed police of the break-away region Transnistria. The European Union is following closely developments that followed the closure of a series of Moldovan schools and especially the closure of a boarding school for orphans in Bender. It calls on the self-proclaimed administration of Transnistria to stop immediately their intimidation campaign against teachers, parents and students of the Moldovan schools in the region and to allow them to carry out, without restrictions, their education programs. The European Union fully supports the recent declarations regarding Moldovan schools in Transnistria by the OSCE High Commissioner Ekeus and the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, and recalls the declaration of the EU Ambassadors in the OSCE Permanent Council as well as local declarations made by EU and OSCE Ambassadors in Chisinau. The European Union urges the self-proclaimed administration of Transnistria to reverse measures they have undertaken vis-à-vis Moldovan schools and to avoid further tensions in the region.

The European Union calls on Moldova and the self-proclaimed authorities of Transnistria to actively and immediately re-engage to the five sided negotiation process in a constructive manner with the aim of bringing this conflict closer to a solution. The European Union urges both parties not to take steps which could lead to a further deterioration of the situation.

The European Union is consulting with international partners (OSCE, US, Russia) on the situation in Moldova. The EU will consider appropriate measures against those in the selfproclaimed administration of Transnistria responsible for the repressive measures taken against Moldovan schools, should the situation not improve.

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• EUHR Solana writes to Russian Foreign Minister on deteriorating situation in Transnistria (30/7/2004)