Taking into account that the head of Pridnestrovie's foreign ministry is also a member of the Pridnestrovian delegation to the Joint Control Commission (JCC), he was asked about the current situation in the Security Zone (SZ).
«Moldova has long been obstructing the solution of the issue related to freedom of movement, which the Moldovan authorities understand and interpret in their own way, imposing restrictive measures against Pridnestrovian citizens, thus rudely violating their freedom of movement," underscored Vitaliy Ignatyev.
He drew special attention to Kisninev's ongoing attempts to replace the Joint Peacekeeping Force with a mission of police observers, representing one of international organisations. «Pridnestrovie clearly states that changing the peacekeeping format and amending the legal and contractual base of the peacekeeping operation is not advisable. We suppose the peacekeeping operation is efficient. By the way, despite the fact that the number of incidents in the Security Zone increases each year, the situation remains under control, which confirms that the mechanism established in 1992 is efficient and functional," said the foreign minister in this regard.
He emphasised that the Moldovan authorities are making such statements amid frequent military exercises Moldova holds together with Nato countries near the Security Zone.
«The position of our Moldovan colleagues seems illogic. They are inspiring problems in the Security Zone, organising there military exercises with the involvement of Nato military units, and at the same time they are making statements that the situation is stable, and consequently it is time to change the current format into a police mission. We think this has nothing in common with the provision of peace and stability," noted Vitaliy Ignatyev.
He also underscored: «According to the 1992 agreement, the presence of any forces beyond the peacekeeping operation's control is inadmissible. This is a factor of military risk, and it is required to make operational decisions at a level of the Joint Military Command of the Peacekeeping Forces. There is no doubt that no military units of third countries cannot stay in the Security Zone.»
The acting foreign minister commented on the latest statements by Moldova's defence minister, Anatol Șalaru. «The Moldovan leadership and defence minister are making expressive statements about certain threats on the part of Pridnestrovie and the peacekeeping operation in general," said the foreign minister. «By the way, several weeks ago the Pridnestrovian delegation to the JCC requested Moldova to fully explain all the statements made by Mr Șalaru because they evidently go counter the existing agreements. Unfortunately, such actions are not only limited to statements. We can see Moldova is doing some demonstrative manipulations near the Security Zone. This is a serious cause for concern. They are especially cynical amid the statements that the military parade in Tiraspol is posing a threat. We realise our Moldovan partners are not good at logic, but as for their political interests their position is clear. Fortunately, the existing international format and peacekeeping operation are not only supported by the agreements, but also by the people living on the Dniester banks.»
