As a result of Moldova's aggression against Pridnestrovie, 809 of our citizens were killed, and several thousands of the Pridnestrovians were wounded. The agreement on peaceful settlement signed on 21 July 1992 brought an end to these bloody events. And a week later Russia’s peacekeeping contingent was introduced to Pridnestrovie.
Today in order to celebrate the 23th anniversary of the peacekeeping operation, a rally was held at the entrance to Bendery, the city which was most affected by the Moldovan aggression.
The rally was attended by members of the government, the chairman of the Supreme Council, Mikhail Burla, and other MPs, members of the Joint Control Commission, military of Russian and Pridnestrovian peacekeeping contingents, Pridnestrovie's defenders, representatives of municipal authorities, public organisations and Bendery residents.
The Prime Minister Tatyana Turanskaya, opened the rally with a speech. She thanked the peacemakers for preserving peace and order in the Dniester region. «Thanks to your high professionalism, efficiency and resolution, many conflict situations have been solved, and all attempts to escalate the situation have been prevented," noted the prime minister.
According to Tatyana Turanskaya, the high level of confidence the Pridnestrovians feel towards the peacemakers is the best proof of the efficiency of the operation. «The importance of the peacekeeping operation is difficult to overestimate. The Pridnestrovians are sincerely grateful to you for your self-control, readiness to protect civilian residents. As well as 23 years, today Russia's peacemakers are our defence and guarantors of security and stability," said Tatyana Turanskaya.
Oleg Belyakov, Pridnestrovie's JCC co-chair, highlighted the importance of retaining the current format of the peacekeeping operation, which has helped to maintain peace in the Security Zone for a long time. «Over 23 years the present format of the peacekeeping operation has proved its viability, efficiency and guarantees the personal safety of every citizen residing in the Security Zone," noted the co-chair. According to him, Pridnestrovie considers the fundamental principles of the joint statement made by the leaders of Russia, Moldova and Pridnestrovie on 18 March 2009 in Moscow are still relevant today. The statement referred to the peacekeeping operation as playing the stabilising role and giving the unique possibility to Tiraspol and Kishinev to agree on the peaceful settlement of the conflict.
«Changing the operation format, the joint statement stipulates, is only possible after a comprehensive solution to the conflict," underscored Oleg Belyakov.
During the rally, soldiers of the Russian peacekeeping contingent were presented with Pridnestrovie's government awards. After that, flowers were laid to the memorial sign Blessed Are the Peacemakers and the Memorial of Remembrance and Sorrow.
