Tiraspol, 24 April. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. Pridnestrovie's foreign minister told journalists about the results of his visit to the Russian capital, where a large volume of tasks was solved.
«I'd like to give a positive assessment of the meeting's results. And at this level there is a clear understanding of negotiation process prospects. We exchanged views on the results of the visit of observers and mediators in the negotiation process in the 5+2 format, which took place in Kishinev and Tiraspol. On the whole, we discussed a number of key aspects which are especially important for us. In the first line, it is the situation in the negotiation process. We also focussed on its current dynamics, which is, unfortunately, low," underscored the minister.
According to Vitaly Ignatyev, there are certain impulses on the part of international mediators that we should work, in the first place, at the level of expert working groups. The MFA's head recalled that on 19−20 April there were meetings of expert groups on legal and documentary support, and education; however, «proceeding from the results, Pridnestrovie does not see Moldova's willingness so far to move forward».
«It is very important that Russian partners with the assistance of the OSCE's acting chairmanship have given a positive assessment of Russia's initiative and generally supported it. This initiative, in my opinion, may be a very good framework for being further negotiated at the 5+2 level. Pridnestrovie does not agree with all positions the initiative provides for, but we believe this is a good beginning, a possibility to put the dialogue back on track," observed Vitaly Ignatyev.
The diplomat specified that the Russian initiative lies in the need to elaborate a principled mechanism which would guarantee the implementation of agreements concluded in the negotiating process as many documents have been signed, but not all of them are carried out by the Moldovan side.
«The essence of the Russian initiative is also to refuse any unilateral actions which aggravate the situation in the negotiation process and the sides' positions. It resembles some elements from the principles and procedures of the negotiation process and agreements, including protocol decisions on certain aspects of freedom of movement, which were signed in 2014 and which we thing are being sabotaged by the Moldovan side. Of course, it also deals with a moratorium on the initiation of politically motivated criminal charges," said the minister.
Vitaly Ignatyev also remarked upon a cooperation agreement signed between Russia's Federal Customs Service and the State Customs Committee of the PMR.
«This is a very substantive document. This is a direct instrument as it provides legal grounds for the development of relations between customs bodies and, in principle, for the strengthening of relations between Pridnestrovie and Russia, as well as with EU countries and Customs Union members. This will help to segregate the goods which are supplied to the Russian market as Pridnestrovian, which will exempt them from excessive problems and additional checks. Besides, this is due to the organisation of various bilateral events, including online conferences, extension courses and the provision of technical maintenance to our customs authorities," noted the minister.
Vitaly Ignatyev also expressed gratitude to the leadership of Russia's Federal Customs Service, as well as the Russian foreign ministry, government and Dmitry Rogozin's staff for their assistance in promoting this agreement.
