Confidence-building measures
“Berlin-plus” package
Since 2016, the Sides have agreed to work on eight confidence-building measures, which make up the “Berlin-plus” package. As of today, the Sides have recorded major achievements on the six agreements, which have improved the day-to-day life of students, teachers, farmers, entrepreneurs on both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River.
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Ecology
The co-operation in the field of ecology is one the eight priorities from the “Berlin-plus” package. Pursuant to a 2016 Protocol Decision, every year the Sides design and implement environmental protection measures. The focus of their activities is protection of natural resources in the Dniester/Nistru River basin. The Sides have set up an expert Working Group on ecology, which represents a platform for discussions, exchange of information and joint planning of activities among which is combating poaching, stocking the Dniester/Nistru River with fish, as well as coordinating the calendar on the ban of fishing during the spawning season.
Telecommunications
The agreement is an outstanding priority from the “Berlin-plus” package. The implementation of the agreement is work in progress.
Criminal cases and the freedom of movement
The agreement is an outstanding priority from the “Berlin-plus” package. The implementation of the agreement is work in progress.
Other confidence-building measures
Achieving the end state of the Transdniestrian settlement process depends on promoting an inclusive and tolerant Moldovan society, based on the respect for the rule of law and human rights. In this context and in line with its mandate, the Mission supports the country’s efforts to nurture these qualities, which serve as confidence-building measures for the settlement process.
Promoting an inclusive identity and tolerant society
The Mission supports the implementation of the Government’s Strategy for the Consolidation of Interethnic Relations, which promotes an inclusive and open society in the Republic of Moldova. An inclusive society will create a sense of common home for the whole population of the country, be they representatives of national minorities or regional groupings. In the same context, the Mission supports implementation of a national Action Plan on Holocaust Remembrance and Education, which is an important step initiated by the Republic of Moldova to have an open and healing discussion of painful periods of its history.
Strengthening the rule of law as a cornerstone of good governance
The Mission supports efforts to fully affirm the 1994 Moldovan law on Gagauzia’s special legal status that established Gagauzia as an autonomous territorial unit within the Republic of Moldova. To that end, the Mission provides assistance to clearly define the competences of the region in the national legislation.
Advancing human rights on both banks
The confidence-building efforts of the Mission span both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River. The Mission builds the capacity of legal and civil society professionals from both banks to address prevalent human rights issues prioritized by the Human Rights sub-Working Group, which was reconvened by the Sides in 2018.
