Chisinau proposes creation of convergence fund for reintegrating two banks Dniester River; first 1+1 meeting after break of over year

The Chisinau authorities have informed the Tiraspol administration about their intention to create a Convergence Fund meant to stimulate the reintegration of the two banks of the Dniester River. The initiative, the first of its kind launched after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, was presented at a 1+1 format meeting held at the headquarters of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Mission today.

Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Valeri Chiveri had a meeting with Vitalii Ignatiev, the political representative of the Transnistrian administration, this being the first 1+1 format meeting after a break of one year and four months.

According to Chisinau, the parliament in next March is to adopt the legislative framework needed to establish the Convergence Fund, after which the government will develop the implementation mechanism. The fund is expected to accumulate domestic and external financial resources, including from customs duties collected by the constitutional authorities from economic agents of the Transnistrian region. The is to be directed toward social and infrastructure projects in localities on the left bank of Dniester.

Valeri Chiveri said that the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict can be achieved only through dialogue and emphasized that Chisinau’s priorities stayed maintaining peace and stability in the region, as well as creating safe conditions for citizens. He noted that the reintegration process was gaining momentum, pointing out that thousands of people from the left bank of Dniester work or study daily on the right bank.

The deputy PM also announced the intention to extend the unified emergency service 112 to the Transnistrian region, with the first pilot projects potentially being launched in Tighina, Dubasari, or Rabnita.

In the field of education, Chiveri requested that all Moldovan schools on the left bank of Dniester switch to the educational process in the Romanian language starting from September 1, 2026.

"This is not about politics; we must give children the opportunity to benefit from quality education in their mother tongue," the Chisinau official said.

At the same time, Chisinau reiterated the need to ensure free movement across the Dniester River, including access for journalists and civic activists to the region, as well as access for farmers from Dubasari district to farmlands located beyond the road controlled by the Tiraspol administration.

The meeting in Tiraspol took place one day after President Maia Sandu had signed a decree withdrawing the citizenship of Moldova from nine people who held or still hold positions in the secessionist Transnistrian administration, including a former "minister of internal affairs." According to the authorities, two of the concerned people participated in the 1992 armed conflict on the side of the separatist structures.