The Republic of Moldova and Foreign Troops

The presence of Russian troops in the east of the Republic of Moldova violates the country's constitution, say constitutional judges in Chisinau

Bogdan Matei, 04.05.2017, 13:03

The Constitutional Court in the Republic of Moldova has ruled that the presence on the countrys territory of troops or military bases controlled by other states is unconstitutional. The courts ruling comes three years after a complaint by pro-western Liberal MPs and refers to the presence of Russian troops in the pro-Russian separatist region of Transdniestr, in the east. The court ruled that the Russian military occupation of this region, at the time of Moldova declaring its neutrality, does not affect the validity of the constitutional provision regarding neutrality. Also, in case of threats to its national independence, territorial integrity and security of the state, the authorities of the Republic of Moldova are obliged to take all necessary measures, including of a military nature, that would allow it to defend itself efficiently against such threats, the courts ruling also reads.

Moreover, Moldovas status as a neutral country does not rule out cooperation with other military alliances for the purpose of strengthening the countrys defence capacity. The Moldovan president, the pro-Russian Socialist Igor Dodon, has criticised the courts ruling saying its judges were genuflecting before the supporters of Moldovas reunification with Romania. Otherwise very watchful of his countrys neutrality when it comes to its western partners, Dodon, who came to power less than half a year ago, twice blocked the participation of Moldovan troops in exercises held in Romania.

He also travelled twice in less than three months to Moscow, where he promised his counterpart Vladimir Putin that the Transdniester problem would be solved through the federalisation of the republic. Transdniester de facto broke away with Chisinau in 1992 following an armed conflict in which hundreds were killed and which came to an end with the intervention of the Russian troops siding with the separatists. Those troops are still there today, although Russia pledged to pull them out as far back as the OSCE summit of 1999.

An advisor to the former pro-western Moldovan president Nicolae Timofti, analyst Vlad Turcanu told Radio Romanias correspondents:

“It is in the interest of the Russian Federation for us to maintain a status of neutrality, while Russia itself violates this status by keeping its troops left of the Nistru river, troops that have been there since the time of the former Soviet Union, while not wishing other troops to be allowed right of the Nistru. Youve all seen the scandal started by the Socialists, Kremlins people in Chisinau, after the decision to set up a NATO centre in Chisinau. This did not even involve military troops, missiles, missile systems or tanks, but simply a diplomatic representation office.”

Dodon is opposed to the creation of a NATO liaison office in Chisinau, a move he describes as a provocation, although NATO officials clearly explained that this would be a civilian diplomatic structure employing mostly Moldovan citizens.