Moscow, 19 February. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. The replacement of the peacekeeping format in Pridnestrovie may lead to a new hotbed of tension between Kishinev and Tiraspol, said Pridnestrovie's JCC co-chair, Oleg Belyakov.
«The trends and appeals for a change of the existing peacekeeping format that can be heard in media outlets and from some Moldovan officials are void," Belyakov said during a news conference at MIA Rossiya Segodnya.
According to him, «if the peacekeeping format were to be replaced, the conflicting sides must reach an agreement to stop provocative activities against each other.»
«We don't have such agreements so far. If the joint peacekeeping forces leave the security zone, paramilitary forces will come to their place. We are sure that the deployment of new units in the security zone will lead to a new hotbed of tension between Moldova and Pridnestrovie," said Belyakov.
Therefore, he noticed, Tiraspol argues that the replacement of the peacekeeping format is only possible after the Pridnestrovian conflict has been fully settled.
The Joint Control Commission (governing body of the peacekeeping operation in Pridnestrovie) comprises the delegations of Russia, Moldova and Pridnestrovie. Representatives from Ukraine and the OSCE Mission to Moldova participate in its work as observers. The JCC co-chairs (heads of delegations) make decisions based on consensus.
