Moscow, 28 April. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. The acting foreign minister, Vitaly Ignatyev, met participants of the 4th session of the Russian School of Politics project, which is taking place in Moscow from 24 to 30 April, the MFA's press service reports. In his speech Vitaly Ignatyev gave a detailed account of a geopolitical situation around Pridnestrovie, the country's foreign policy, as well as the state of the negotiation process with the Republic of Moldova.
He particularly underscored that in over 25 years of its existence the country has ultimately evolved into an independent subject of international relations. In addition, Pridnestrovie has formed a special supranational identity. According to Vitaly Ignatyev, official approaches to the problem of the Moldo-Pridnestrovian conflict and the phenomenon of Pridnestrovie in general, which were earlier considered relevant and viable, and namely the restoration of a unitary state within the MSSR's borders, have become desperately outdated.
Commenting on a situation around Pridnestrovie, the diplomat noted that the country is in a complex blockade imposed by neighbouring countries. According to the minister, Kishinev and since 2014 Kiev are pursuing a policy of the «non-military» suppression of Pridnestrovian statehood. Vitaly Ignatyev underscored that restrictive measures applied to Pridnestrovie are affecting almost all strategically important spheres of the country, and first of all its economy. He pointed out that the total blockade of Pridnestrovie’s foreign trade has resulted in a loss of traditional Russian markets, elimination of a number of economic activities, including cargo transportation, haemorrhage of jobs and multimillion budget shortfalls.
Vitaly Ignatyev also focused on the fact that the economic blockade against Pridnestrovie is combined with the direct suppression of the rights of Pridnestrovian citizens. Striking examples of such actions are, according to the MFA's head, the restriction of freedom of movement of citizens and vehicles, including within Ukraine's programme Border, politically motivated prosecution against Pridnestrovie's officials, businesspeople and ordinary citizens.
Vitaly Ignatyev stated that the reason and, at the same time, the aim of the «suffocating» campaign against Pridnestrovie is evident: in this part of Eastern Europe the country remains the only stronghold of the Russian civilised presence. The foreign minister also recalled that the policy of rapprochement with Russia and Eurasian communities was determined by the Pridnestrovian people at the 2006 referendum and subsequently enshrined in the country's Foreign Policy Concept. Therefore, according to Vitaly Ignatyev, the unprecedented non-military pressure on Pridnestrovie is virtually a component of a hybrid war against Russia.
The diplomat especially emphasised that such a state of affairs is embodied in the negotiation process between Pridnestrovie and Moldova: over the past two years the dialogue is in the state of stagnation due to Moldova's unilateral steps. By taking new discriminatory measures against Pridnestrovie, Kishinev minimises the efficiency of cooperation at the negotiating table, destroys the atmosphere of trust between the sides, and along with that Kishinev officials are capable for many months of avoiding contacts with Pridnestrovie and sabotage the discussion of initiatives elaborated by the Pridnestrovian side. According to Vitaly Ignatyev, the neighbouring countries try to discredit the international negotiation format, provoke the destabilisation of the situation and solve the conflict through non-diplomatic measures. In this connection, according to the foreign minister, the situation in Pridnestrovie deserves the most careful attention on the part of the international community.
Speaking to Russian School of Politics members, Vitaly Ignatyev highlighted the fact that under complex conditions of external pressure Pridnestrovie sees the prospects of improving the situation exclusively in the context of strengthening cooperation with Russia. As experience has shown, it is the establishment of the closest ties with Russia, Pridnestrovie's strategic partner, that ensures the maintenance of stable and peaceful development. According to the minister, Pridnestrovie holds a proactive position on this issue, initiating two-sided contacts in various spheres and suggesting available mechanisms of cooperation in specific areas.
Following the lecture, Vitaly Ignatyev and participants of the Russian School of Politics project continued communication.
