Yevgeny Shevchuk: building transparent relations with Kiev and Kishinev is very important for us
The president dwelt upon Pridnestrovie's relations with neighbouring countries during his press conference
Tiraspol, 24 December. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. According to the president, certain approaches which are changing in relations between Tiraspol, Kishinev and Kiev entail implications for the freedom of cargo transportation and freedom of citizens' movement.
"Undoubtedly, this affects the economy and profits. One of decisions made by Ukraine's authorities in July-August 2014, when restrictions were imposed on the importation of excisable goods to Pridnestrovie, caused a reduction of budget revenues at an amount of about $30 million. This amount is comparable with the indebtedness to Pridnestrovie's public sector employees," said Yevgeny Shevchuk.
The president noted that today there are certain concerns over the freedom of movement of the cars registered in Pridnestrovie. He also mentioned agreements between Ukraine and Moldova on the establishment of Moldova's customs authorities on the Pridnestrovian-Ukrainian border and the railway decision which has already been made and will aggravate Pridnestrovie's economy.
"We regard these steps as non-constructive and aimed at reducing Pridnestrovie's potential to fulfil its social functions: paying pensions, salaries, etc. This is why it is very important for us to build transparent relations with Kishinev and Kiev, which would help reduce the number of problems for our economic agents. We believe that political problems must be distinct from economic ones," said the president, adding that in this way the country's neighbours "try to disrupt Pridnestrovie's economic basis, extend Moldova's sovereignty to the PMR and solve more general settlement issues under the burden of economic problems."
"I think this is a wrong step and wrong direction. Our history has already witnessed such things, but never before have Kishinev and Kiev acted in the same vein. This is sure to complicate our resource potential to address new challenges," said Yevgeny Shevchuk.
The president also expressed hope that in 2016, when Germany will preside over the OSCE, the country would succeed in reducing the existing economic risks and avoiding new risks for Pridnestrovie's economy in diplomatic.
