Tiraspol's House of Officers hosted a ceremonial event dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the OGRF formation. The Pridnestrovian president, Yevgeny Shevchuk, and Russia's ambassador to Moldova, Farit Mukhametishin, came to congratulate the Russian soldiers.
In his address to the OGRF personnel President Shevchuk pointed out that the history of the Russian military presence in Pridnestrovie is estimated at several centuries.
«Before the Russian soldier came, this land had been scarcely populated. But when he settled here, brought peace and stability, the territory came to get inhabited, the towns began to develop, the people began to build their life," said the president.
On behalf of the Pridnestrovian people and governmental authorities, Yevgeny Shevchuk thanked the Russian military for their contribution to one of the most efficient peacekeeping operations, thanks to which peace has been preserved on the Dniester banks for 23 years.
Yevgeny Shevchuk also pointed out that today the peacekeepers are facing extra risks due to the regional instability. «Whoever tries to put restrictions on you, he will fail. The Pridnestrovian people stands with you!» said the president.
The OGRF soldiers were also congratulated by Russia's ambassador to Moldova, Farit Mukhametishin. He thanked the Russian soldiers for preserving peace in the region and noted that the Russian peacekeepers are true guarantors of peace and order on the Dniester banks.
The head of the parliamentary committee on security, defence and peacekeeping affairs, Andrey Sipchenko, also congratulated the OGRF personnel for preserving peace in Pridnestrovie.
«Our people knows that the Russian soldier will never leave the Dniester banks. We identify ourselves with the Russian Federation because Pridnestrovie is part of Russia," he said.
The head of the OGRF, Colonel Dmitriy Zelenkov, thanked Pridnestrovie's leadership for their care for the families of the OGRF personnel and noted the veterans' important contribution to the preservation of the professional military collective.
«In the past 20 years we have proved ourselves as an efficient battle-worthy military unit. The OGRF military have always been remarkable for their high professionalism and loyalty to the military oath," said the officer.
The meeting was followed with a festive concert. Pridnestrovie's creative groups performed for the Russian soldiers at the stage of the House of Officers.
