Moscow, 4 April. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. Agreements between Moldova and Ukraine to control Pridnestrovie and restrict citizens' movement are unilateral and contradict the 1997 Memorandum, said Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov following a meeting with his Moldovan colleague, Andrei Galbur.
Lavrov specially emphasised that Kiev's approval of these measures is abuse of its role of a guarantor in the 5+2 talks format.
«There are agreements between Moldova and Pridnestrovie to establish control of Pridnestrovie and its citizens' movement. These unilateral measures, by the way, contradict the 1997 memorandum on Pridnestrovie's foreign economic activities. It is odd that our Ukrainian neighbours, which alongside Russia are a settlement guarantor, have misused their position by taking unilateral steps," said Lavrov.
«We have discussed a number of measures which must not stall our common efforts, and the unilateral steps that have been taken before are not helpful in this respect. There is a well-known subject regarding politically motivated prosecution of Pridnestrovian leaders, which naturally do not contribute to the resumption of negotiations on the most pressing issues," added the Russian minister.
According to the diplomat, as a result of the negotiations the ministers have come to the common idea of a need to restore confidence between the parties.
«Thus requires a concrete steps tactics, based on the principle 'from small to large issues', and I am sure that the overall climate must improve. We are aiming to help these practical steps come true. Finally, it is up to Tiraspol and Kishinev to solve them," stated Sergey Lavrov.
«The whole process of political settlement, when it starts — and this requires, as I have already said, building confidence and concrete steps to ease tensions — is our common cause and this is what the work of the 5+2 format will aim at, or at least our part in it," concluded the Russian foreign minister.
