Today Pridnestrovie's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nina Shtanski hosted the meeting of Pridnestrovie's foreign minister, Deputy Premier Nina Shtanski, with the OSCE special representative, Ambassador Radojko Bogojević.
It is recalled that the last time the sides had consultations in Vienna during the unofficial 5+2 format meeting, which was held at the initiative of Pridnestrovie. The aim was to clarify the position of all negotiating sides on the previously agreed mechanisms and principles of functioning of this format.
Having thanked Radojko Bogojević for his efforts to support the dialogue between the negotiation, Nina Shtanski expressed confidence the «shuttle» diplomacy, which is yet to exploit its full potential, will be successful. It is to be recalled that after the informal consultations in Vienna the OSCE special representative met with official persons representing the negotiating states.
Speaking about the current situation, Nina Shtanski noted that since the informal consultations in the Austrian capital the pressure on Pridnestrovie has not only diminished, but evolved into new forms.
«I regret to note that the measures taken by Moldova’s and Ukraine’s leadership are continuing to aggravate Pidnestrovie's crisis. The setback in production has already amounted to almost 15% in our industrial state, and the foreign trade turnover has decreased by 25%," said Nina Shtanski: «It was especially interesting to know that our Moldovan partners believe that Pridnestrovie's trade turnover will increase, especially, with Moldova. I wish they gave some statistics. In this case the international community would know that the trade turnover with Moldova have increased by 4% over the past months, but in general it has fallen by 24%. On the whole, Pridnestrovie's exports have decreased by $75 million. I am sure you realise this is a large amount for our small country. The drops in imports have already amounted to $170 million. Pridnestrovie's foreign trade agents are facing serious difficulties with logistic activities. Trade flows are being re-oriented from traditional to unprofitable routes of goods movement.»
Among new forms of exerting pressure on Pridnestrovie, the foreign minister pointed up an increase in the categories of Pridnestrovian citizens against whom politically inspired criminal charges were brought.
«Criminal charges are still being initiated. The problem is not being solved. It is evolving into new forms and gaining momentum. The number of criminal cases is growing from week to week. Now charges are brought not only against authorities, but also against all businessmen who are engaged in economic activities with the neighbouring countries," said Nina Shtanski.
She also added that such actions might be caused by Moldova’s domestic issues and declared that Tiraspol is ready to engage in constructive dialogue with Kishinev, anyway.
«The rhetoric of our Moldovan partners, as you might have noted in media reports, is becoming more belligerent, hostile and simply improper. We admit this nervousness may be caused by the turmoil in Mioldova's domestic policy. Anyway, we are calling on our neighbours to engage in constructive dialogue and diplomacy in its entirety," noted the foreign minister in this regard.
Radojko Bogojević, in turn, said that he is closely following the events and understand Pridnestrovie's concern. He said he is empowered to deliver the message of the OSCE chairperson in office, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić, to the participants of the negotiating process. «Serbia as OSCE chair is committed to continuing dialogue and searching for political solution, which is the way out of any conflict," Radojko Bogojević summarised the position of the chairperson in office.
He also said that during scheduled meetings in Tiraspol he intends to inform Pridnestrovie's officials on the position of other 5+2 Talks participants on the issues of concern to Pridnestrovie. Today Radojko Bogojević will also meet Pridnestrovie's president, Yevgeny Shevchuk.
