Tiraspol, 26 November. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. Shevchenko Pridnestrovian State University hosted the international scientific and practical conference The Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic and the Serbian Republic: the protection of sovereignty amid international turbulence, which was attended by scientists and experts from Pridnestrovie, Serbia and Russia, as well as Pridnestrovian authorities and diplomats from the Russian embassy to Moldova.
Speaking at the conference, the acting foreign minister of the PMR, Vitaly Ignatyev, said that Serbia and Pridnestrovie have very much in common. He particularly noted: «When traditional values and practices are ignored, and alien cultural and social standards are imposed instead, both Pridnestrovie and Serbia stick to the Orthodox civilisation, preserving their history, traditions and values. Pridnestrovians traditionally affirm their solidarity with the brotherly people of Serbia.»
In addition, Serbia, despite its geographical remoteness, can boast a positive experience of preferential trade with Customs Union countries, which is very significant for Pridnestrovie ahead of the abolishment of the EU's trade preferences since 1 January 2016.
«Pridnestrovie is interested in the establishment of permanent scientific and expert partnership with sound, patriotic forces in Serbia," underscored Vitaliy Ignatyev. As an example of such cooperation between two countries, he recalled that a group of Pridnestrovian children had visited an international camp in Serbia in summer.
The Serbian experience is also valuable in a way that the country, like Pridnestrovie, has always been subject to double standards on the part of international actors.
This issue was further developed in a report by the deputy foreign minister, Dmitry Palamarchuk. He noted that international actors do not wish to apply the procedure of a 'civilised divorce', as was the case with Serbia and Montenegro, to the Moldo-Pridnestrovian settlement.
Besides, by imposing new concessions on Belgrade regarding Kosovo's Albans, the same countries are not opposed to Kishinev's strengthening pressure on Pridnestrovie. As an example, Dmitry Palamarchuk cited the recognition of Kosovo documents in Serbia, freedom of movement across the Serbian territory, including the cars registered in Kosovo, assignment to Kosovo of its own international telephone code, recognition of Kosovo's auto liability insurance in Serbia, etc.
In the course of the conference, Russia's Lev Gumilev Centre expert, Ivan Sorokin, proposed that Serbian internet resources post «at least official statements by Pridnestrovie's MFA» to loosen the information blockade of Pridnestrovie.
MGIMO Professor Stanislav Chernyavskiy opined that Serbia may serve as a mediator between Pridnestrovie and various political forces abroad, including EU countries.
The chairman of Serbia's Third Serbia party, who also participated in the conference, noted in this respect that his participation alone points to the determination of certain political forces in Serbia to establish relations with Pridnestrovie. He recalled that back in 1992 Serbian Krajina (this unrecognised state on the territory of today's Croatia was liquidated with Nato's support) recognised the independence of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.
