ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the evolving role of the European Union (EU) as a reluctant conflict manager in the conflict between Moldova and the breakaway region of Transnistria on the Eastern borders of the EU. Since the brief outbreak of violent hostilities between Moldova and the breakaway region of Transnistria in 1991-92 in the immediate aftermath of the break-up of the Soviet Union, no resolution of the conflict has been achieved. Rather a state of frozen conflict has persisted: Transnistria has moved to consolidate its position as a de facto statelet supported militarily, politically and economically by Russia. Meanwhile until recently Moldova's transition had stalled both economically and politically, the country mired in a state of semi-reform, currently the poorest country in Europe vacillating between a geopolitical orientation towards Russia and the EU. In the wake of the violent period of conflict a negotiating mechanism was set up under the chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). This peace-making framework (Moldova, Transnistria, OSCE, Russia and Ukraine) has remained in place since that time albeit with the addition of the United States (US) and EU as observers (hence 5+2) in 2005. In 2006, official negotiations were suspended, but informal talks continued on a fairly regular basis, intensifying in 2010-11, and finally leading to a formal agreement on the resumption of official negotiations in September 2011 (Wolff 2011, b).
