8-9 September 2011 the conference on wider confidence-building measures took place in Germany organized by OSCE Mission to Moldova with the sponsorship of the Government of Germany and the Lithuanian OSCE Chairmanship. The conference aimed to explore opportunities for promoting existing confidence building initiatives between both banks of the Dniester river. The Transdniestrian delegation headed by the President of Transdniestrian Moldavian Republic Igor Smirnov included representatives of administration of the State Customs Committee of Transdniestria.
Issues relating to resumption of the rail freight traffic through the territory of Transdniestria and customs problematic were being discussed by representatives of Transdniestria, Moldova, Ukraine, OCSE and EUBAM within the framework of expert group on economy, trade, transport and communications. These issues were specially emphasized as one of the main cornerstones within the Transdniestrian conflict settlement process.
Participants in discussion exchanged their views on perspectives and ways to resolve customs issues existing between Transdniestria and the Republic of Moldova. The burden of the expressed views was the strong need of close cooperation between customs bodies of both banks of the Dniester river with a view of economic growth. According to EU representatives’ presentations (in particular, EUBAM Mission) this cooperation should be organized in the context of harmonization of customs legislation and duties, creation of single customs space and implementation of single customs policy as well as performance of joint customs control of railway cargoes passing through the territory of Transdniestria. It was noted that EUBAM experts could assist in this process as neutral technical advisors.
Representatives of the State Customs Committee of Transdniestria having taken in consideration expressed initiatives and proposals noted that Transdniestrian Customs support cooperation with their counterparts from Moldova but under conditions of observance of the equality principle and compliance with previously achieved agreements. This position was brought to the attention of EU experts during the August meeting between representatives of Transdniestrian Customs, EUBAM Mission and EU delegation to Moldova. The State Customs Committee of Transdniestria considers that the restore of customs stamps and seals to Transdniestria unilaterally withdrawn by Moldova in 2001and cooperation mechanisms used until this period would become a firm foundation for constructive interaction between customs bodies of both banks.
Resulted in conducted discussions on customs problematic participants of the talks having expressed their positions and proposals on core issues agreed to possible continuation of cooperation with a view to elaborate compromise solutions which will be of mutual interest of the parts (on the basis of equality principle of the parts).
16 September, 2011