Chisinau seeks Romanian language rights in new Tiraspol talks
Moldova and its breakaway region of Transnistria are scheduled to hold a new round of "1+1" diplomatic talks in mid-April. The meeting will focus on education and environmental protection, according to officials in Chisinau.
Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Valeriu Chiveri stated that logistical details are still being finalised before an exact date is announced. This format remains the primary channel for direct communication between the two sides.
Education and language rights
Chisinau intends to demand that schools in the separatist region allow instruction in the Romanian language. Chiveri cited numerous requests from local parents and teachers who want children to study in their mother tongue.
The Deputy Prime Minister rejected Tiraspol’s recent proposal to introduce four official languages in the region. He described the initiative as "counterproductive and provocative," stating such terms are unacceptable for discussion.
Environmental cooperation
Environmental issues, including the pollution of the Dniester River and industrial air quality, are also on the agenda. Chisinau is seeking better coordination to address cross-river ecological risks.
Chiveri suggested that Transnistrian businesses might eventually face the same environmental taxes applied to companies in government-controlled territory. This move would aim to standardise ecological regulations across the country.
Diplomatic context
This upcoming session follows a meeting held on 26 February at the OSCE Mission headquarters. That encounter was the first between Chiveri, who took office in November 2025, and Tiraspol’s representative, Vitali Ignatiev.
The February talks ended a year-long hiatus in the "1+1" format. Prior to that, the last official meeting between the chief negotiators had taken place in November 2024.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
