Eubam Ukraine-Moldova. Ferenc Banfi: “A role in stabilizing the region”

(BRUSSELS2 to Odessa) Head of the Eubam mission, Major General of the Hungarian police, Ferenc Banfi has held several positions in the past in projects and agencies for the strengthening of international law, in particular in the South-East European regional initiative to combat organized crime (Seci center) after climbing all the ranks of the Hungarian police (he started there as a sergeant).

• What are the main challenges of your mission?

It is a question of contributing to building a capacity for action, of changing the institutional culture and the mentality within the services. Which is not always obvious. Sometimes their circuits are too centralized. It is necessary to pass from a military format to a civil service.

• How do you see the evolution over time?

There is a new generation that has grown up on each side of the “border”: which has never known anything other than Transnistria, on the one hand, or has always known Moldova without Transnistria, on the other. This can eventually create a new climate, a new situation. The pressure of time is therefore not in our favour. After 20-30 years, from this situation, it will be difficult to go back, to reunite the two parties. We must act now. In 2009, the political panorama may change. And Moscow, which has recognized the territorial integrity of Moldova, no longer really needs the independence of Transnistria.

• What can Europeans do?

We cannot breathe and do wonderful Moldova in 15 days. But it is possible, little by little, to make it more democratic, to strengthen its structures. In this sense, the EU can do a lot, in particular to eliminate the differences between the different countries of the region and reintegrate them into the market. If Chisinau is not attractive, there is no interest for Transnistria to join it.

• Does the mission play a role in your opinion?

Yes. It's obvious that when faced with soldiers (7000 in Moldova and at least as many in Transnistria), we don't measure up militarily. But, by our mere presence, there is a psychological influence. In a way, we counterbalance the Russian presence.

• So, this Eubam mission should not be interrupted?

Yes it's important. Even if the Transdniestrian conflict is not very visible and very little perceived at European level — because there is no blood, no sensation, therefore little interest — our mission plays an important role in stabilizing the whole region.

collected by Nicolas Gros-Verheyde