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Moldovan foreign ministry responds to Russian State Duma statement on evolution of situation around Transnistria

20:57 | 07.07.2017 Category: Official

Chisinau, 07 July /MOLDPRES/ – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova regrets the adoption by State Duma of the Russian Federation of Statement "On the negative trends of the evolution of the situation around Transnistria in relation to the actions of the Government of the Republic of Moldova and of the authorities of Ukraine" on 07 July 2017, which contains a whole series of tentative assessments and absolutely ungrounded criticisms of the Moldovan authorities to incite public opinion and cause new tensions, the Foreign and European Integration Ministry’s information and media communication service has reported.

As it is well known, the Moldova’s authorities have recently demonstrated their political will to identify a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the Transnistrian conflict throughout negotiations in format "5+2", respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic Moldova and the attribution of a special legal status to the Transnistrian region. All the concrete actions taken by the authorities in Chisinau include these basic parameters of the Transnistrian settlement process, about the importance of observing the relevant decisions adopted within the OSCE, including the necessary support from the Russian Federation.

In this respect, it is worth invoking the actions taken in the context of the consistent promotion of the confidence building measures and support of the population in the Transnistrian region, in particular regarding the facilitation of trade, creation of the necessary conditions for the admission of the Transnistrian registration plates in the international road traffic, the apostille of Tiraspol diplomas and the restoration of the telephone connection between the two banks of the Dniester. In the quasi-unanimous view of the participants involved in the negotiation process, identifying suitable solutions for these problems as well as problems related to the good functioning of the Moldovan schools teaching on the basis of the Latin script in the Transnistrian region, ensuring the free access of the farmers from the Dubasari district to their lands, elimination of all obstacles to the free movement of persons, goods and services between the two banks of the Dniester, are favorable premises for convening a new meeting in format "5+2" for the adoption of the relevant decisions in this respect.

In the same context, the actions undertaken recently by the Moldovan and Ukrainian authorities to restore effective control over the Transnistrian segment of the Moldovan-Ukrainian state border, including the organization of joint control at the border crossing points, will be included. The contribution to the facilitation of the movement of goods and persons, including the full resumption of export-import operations of excisable goods, without imposing any restrictions or prohibitions. It should be noted that these issues were discussed repeatedly and in various formats with the political representatives of the Transnistrian region, in particular, at the Bavarian Conference on Confidence Building Measures. However, treating these actions as a "negative trend" in establishing a blockade or exerting pressure on Transnistria is irrelevant, given that none of the international actors involved in the Transnistrian conflict settlement questioned Sovereign and inalienable right of the Republic of Moldova to control its internationally recognized borders.

The responsibility for the fact that real progress has not been achieved to solve these problems has to be done not on the Moldovan or Ukrainian authorities but on the Tiraspol political leaders who have an unconstructive and intransigent position at the table of talks being more concerned with the recognition of Transnistria's independence than with solving the real problems and difficulties that the population of the Transnistrian region, including businessmen, face day by day.

The accusations against the Moldovan and Ukrainian authorities regarding the alleged "efforts to prevent" the work of peacekeeping forces, as well as the "lack of alternatives" statements for the current peacekeeping operation on the Dniester, can only be qualified as a dictate in relations with a sovereign state such as the Republic of Moldova. However, it is regrettable to contest the legitimate right of the Republic of Moldova to plead for the transformation of the current peacekeeping operation into a civilian mission with an international mandate, as well as to demand the withdrawal of foreign troops deployed illegally. In the light of what has been said, bizarre sound the harsh and unfounded criticisms brought against the Moldovan and Ukrainian authorities, which, by their actions, would contribute to creating threats to "stability in the region, well-being and security of inhabitants of Transnistria". As such, the Russian State Duma debates on this topic once again indicates that they do not really contribute to identifying civilized ways and means to solve the Transnistrian problem. In this context, the Moldovan authorities express their hope that the Russian Federation, which is one of the most important actors involved in negotiation format "5+2", will continue to play a constructive role in the process of settling the Transnistrian conflict, thus contributing to the strengthening of peace and security in our region.

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