Moldova's political self and the energy conundrum in the context of the European neighbourghood policy

Abstract

This article employs a method of discourse analysis from a social constructivist perspective to evidence the emergence and stabilisation of a discourse of sovereignty in Moldova over the last decades. Within this context, it also explores the meaning of Transnistria and energy security for Moldova's political ontology. The argument builds on the premise that the discourse of sovereignty signals a collective Moldovan subjectivity expressing its standing in the regional context. The main hypothesis tested is that, if determined to opt decisively between East and West, Moldova may choose the path of European integration even at the expense of renouncing sovereignty over Transnistria.