THE IMPACT OF THE UNION BORDER ASSISTANCE MISSION TO MOLDOVA AND UKRAINE (EUBAM) ON TRANSNISTRIAN CONFLICT RESOLUTION

The purpose of the research is to show the positive impact that the Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) has in the peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict. Through its mechanisms of monitoring, consultation and assistance and its initiatives, EUBAM contributes to the improvement of cooperation between the two banks of Dniester. Lately, the Mission puts more emphasis on the conflict and frames its annual activities around measures of conflict resolution and confidence building between Moldova and Transnistria. Although EUBAM's efforts lead to limited results, the Mission has a positive impact on the resolution of the conflict. As it works closely with the parties involved on technical problems, EUBAM is involved in solving the practical problems between the parties of the conflict. This aspect is very important as, once social and economic issues are resolved, the political settlement will come organically.