Managing Intractable Conflicts: Lessons from Moldova and Cyprus

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Foreword on Behalf of East East Beyond Borders Program of the Soros Foundation - Moldova 9 FOREWORD ON BEHALF OF EAST EAST BEYOND BORDERS PROGRAM OF THE SOROS FOUNDATION – MOLDOVA The Moldovan/Turkish/Greek/Turkish Cypriot/Greek Cypriot initiative, reflected in the present study, fits into a larger group of topics focused on over the years by the East East Beyond Borders Program (EEBBP) of the Soros Foundation – Moldova. It is evident that Moldovan society inherited numerous historical problems upon independence that were later exacerbated and transformed into chronic diseases that have continued to impede it from becoming a functioning entity with viable democratic institutions. These issues refer to a society that continues to be divided along several lines: ethnic, cultural, political, identity, social, linguistic, etc. The EEBB Program has made an effort to address these issues by including public agenda topics of major concern and bringing valuable experiences and expertise from the region into Moldova, mobilizing civil society and sharing what has been learned by counterparts who have managed to succeed in some areas focused on the resolution of similar conflicts. Several projects have been developed to study the experiences of various ethnopolitical conflicts from the region referring to Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Baltic countries, UK/Northern Ireland, Georgia, etc. in order to provide to the Moldovan expert community and civil society access to new experiences and lessons learned. The Cyprus case stays apart from this continuum, as it is considered a vulnerable precedent for any country that experiences division. In a way, the Moldovan authorities and civil society have very little desire to learn about Cyprus’ experience, as they tend to avoid becoming involved in the rather uncomfortable issue. However, any case study is equally valuable, from a positive and negative point of view, opening new opportunities for a better understanding of root causes and challenges of conflicts that can invigorate the search for potential solutions and conflict settlement strategies for other conflicts. For these reasons, experts from Moldova, Turkey, Cyprus, Greece and USA have been brought together forming an international team that had the opportunity to take a closer look at both the Moldovan and Cypriot cases, learning about the situation on the ground as well as benefiting from meetings with decision/policy-makers and civil society representatives from both sides of the divide.
10 Managing Intractable Conflicts: Lessons from Moldova and Cyprus Some relevant outcomes of these visits and findings of discussions held are elaborated upon in this study. To what extent the contributors managed to disclose the issues relevant to each case apart is going to be appreciated by readers. Nevertheless, we are confident that this study was a useful exercise for those interested in reflecting upon the challenges that the contemporary world faces with in the process of building a harmonized society. The EEBBP facilitated the exchange of views and opinions from a wide array of experts with different backgrounds and experiences in order for them to gain better understanding of complex processes undergoing in these societies. At the same time, it is pertinent to highlight that the results of the initiative stress the importance of the Confidence Building Measures, which raises an additional argument in the process of searching for appropriate settlement solutions for the Transnistrian conflict based on the experience acknowledged by the Moldovan experts during the study visit to Turkey and Cyprus. From the lessons learnt from the Cyprus’ case the following can be concluded: European integration has brought benefits to states with internal conflicts like the Republic of Moldova, but it should involve all sides of the conflict into the process, otherwise rapprochement with the EU will not have the desired positive effect on the settlement of the conflict. On the contrary, it could further contribute to the isolation and the dissection of a country as seen in Northern Cyprus. This remark is valuable knowledge that should be disseminated to the public to empower people overcoming their fears and misinterpretations and try building together a better future. By keeping its interventions at societal level and addressing issues of concern through a cross-cutting model, the EEBBP facilitates the bringing together of social actors and stakeholders as well as enforces peer-learning at the regional level and beyond. This demand cannot be met without the contribution of its project organizers, the participation of experts and its beneficiaries. Therefore, we take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the project partners, the Global Political Trends Center at Istanbul Kültür University in Turkey and the Foreign Policy Association of Moldova, without whom this initiative would not have been possible, and to all of the experts involved for their thoughtful insights during the entirety of the project. Ana Coretchi, Program Director East East Beyond Borders Program of the Soros Foundation – Moldova
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Challenges to Reunification in Mold
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Main Obstacles to Finding a Solutio
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Challenges to Keeping the Negotiati
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