December, 21 November. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. Pridnestrovie's MFA hosted a meeting of the acting foreign minister, Vitaly Ignatyev, and the head of the EU delegation to Moldova, Pirkka Tapiola. The diplomats discussed the issues of the negotiation process, as well as the measures taken by the Ukrainian authorities against the owners of the cars registered in Pridnestrovie.
According to Vitaly Ignatyev, it was the first meeting with an EU delegate to Moldova after the agreement had been reached on trade relations between the EU and Pridnestrovie. Commenting on the trade relations agreement, the minister underscored that «mutual understanding among the parties under very complicated conditions» showed their ability to reach a compromise.
«When parties want to gain economic benefits for the population, they will always reach some mutual understanding and be able to come to an agreement," said Vitaly Ignatyev.
«I am sincerely glad the decision to continue economic relations has been made," said Pirkka Tapiola.
The foreign minister expressed hope that «the implementation of the trade regime decision would not be affected by any unilateral negative actions by Moldovan officials.»
«The main task is to flawlessly implement this arrangement so that our economic agents could make mid-term plans, sign contracts and so on," said Vitaly Ignatyev.
Besides economic issues, the diplomats dwelt on the issues of the negotiation process, which, according to Vitaly Ignatyev, has gone into tailspin.
«Unfortunately, the negotiation process is in a tailspin now. It is tailspinning due to Moldova's refusal to work constructively at all levels of negotiation mechanism and at a level of expert working groups and at a level of chief negotiators," noted the minister.
Vitaly Ignatyev also expressed confidence that the EU's participation would make it possible «to maintain a dialogue paradigm and parity at the negotiating table».
«We expect that the EU's participation in the negotiation process will show positive trends and promote the elaboration of constructive decisions," said the foreign minister.
He also drew his colleague’s attention to the problem of Moldova's attempts to establish a joint Moldo-Ukrainian customs post at the Kuchurgany border checkpoint.
«We believe these attempts are counter-productive, hurting the negotiation process and prospects for a normal dialogue. This refers to the economic security, freedom of movement and personal security of our citizens," said Vitaly Ignatyev, emphasising that Pridnestrovie «aims to have a fruitful dialogue with Moldova, with no unilateral actions posing problems for people and the negotiation process on the whole.»
The Pridnestrovian diplomat also noted that «it is necessary to work out a joint legal mechanism providing for the return of the Pridnestrovian citizens who have been deported by Moldova, thus having to stay outside the country.»
The diplomats discussed the measures taken by the Ukrainian authorities against the owners of the cars registered in Pridnestrovie. The minister highlighted the fact that such practices are politically motivated. Pridnestrovie's MFA sent the corresponding statement on the above facts to all 5+2 format participants.
«We believe such practices are absolutely inadmissible as they, first of all, affect humanitarian spheres and create concrete problems for people. The considerable number of Ukrainian car owners come to Pridnestrovie, as well as Pridnestrovians go to Ukraine; therefore, Pridnestrovie considers such restrictions, which have no clear reason, as politically motivated," said Vitaly Ignatyev.
