Tuesday's negotiations regarding the activity of Romanian-language schools in the Transnistrian region were productive and there are guarantees that the schools will work normally and there won't be any obstacles for the beginning of the new school year. The promises were made by governmental officials during the “Dialogue Place” talk-show on Radio Moldova, IPN reports.
According to Gheorghe Balan, head of the Reintegration Bureau, the negotiations “brought us closer to the solution for these schools to work normally”. He said that the meeting on August 19 between Chisinau's and Tiraspol's chief negotiators Eugen Carpov and Nina Stanski addressed several issues concerning the good functioning of Romanian-language schools in the separatist region, including financial aspects, the overcoming of conflicts and creating proper conditions for study.
Balan also said that a regulation was negotiated concerning the activity in the Transnistrian region of schools placed under the administration of Chisinau. It was agreed to ask the opinion of OSCE experts and of 5+2 format representatives on the matter.
Deputy Minister of Education Liliana Nicolaescu-Onofrei agrees that the results of negotiations are good, “the discussion was technocratic, free of emotions”. She says that all 8 Romanian-language schools on the left bank of the Nistru are ready to begin the new school year, although because of differences with the Tiraspol administration some conditions are lacking. “The Lucian Blaga Lyceum in Tiraspol lacks a gym, a cafeteria and a festivity hall. The Ministry of Education pays heavy money for the rent of the space and we shouldn't also pay for repairs, but it's also on our bill”, said the official.
Ion Iovcev, principal of Lucian Blaga Lyceum, called in from Tiraspol and confirmed that his school is ready for the new school year. He hopes that there won't be any obstacles on September 1. “It's time to find a solution to ensure a normal process of study, without fear, without being used as hostages by the Tiraspol regime”, said Iovcev.
The two officials said that high ranking officials from Chisinau could attend the September 1 festivities at Romanian-language schools in the Transnistrian region.
According to Publika TV, Tiraspol's chief negotiator Nina Stanski stated that these schools will work normally from September 1 if all rent and utility debts are paid on time. “We have been told that the payments will be made before the beginning of the new school year so that the school's activity won't be hindered. The Moldovan side assured us that all the obstacles have been removed. Now, the specialists will revise the situation”, said Stanski.
