Tiraspol, 18 May. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. The intention to establish Moldo-Ukrainian checkpoints on the Pridnestrovian sector of the border may lead to an armed phase in the conflict, Vitaly Ignatyev said in an interview with RIA Novosti. He does not exclude that the republic would be forced to request Russia to provide security at joint checkpoints.
«The implications will be fatal. In addition, there is a security factor. This is when Moldovan law enforcers will appear on Pridnestrovie's eastern border. Who will prevent us from various provocations is an open matter," said Ignatyev.
According to the diplomat, such actions «only aggravate the situation, undermine confidence and actually fuel an armed, violent phase of confrontation, a phase of the conflict.»
«In this situation, of course, there is a need to provide security and obtain additional international guarantees. It is not ruled out that Pridnestrovie will request Russia to deploy its representatives at border crossings to ensure security," noted the minister.
He said that Russia is «the guarantor of peace and security on the Dniester banks, the responsible mediator in the negotiating process» that consistently abides by all the agreements, principles and procedures of the negotiating process.
«Russia is also concerned about the whole range of implications that may arise in connection with the installation of joint border and customs border… Work is currently being carried out at a fast pace. But given the positions of a number of international partners, we need to strengthen our interaction, to strengthen coordinated measures to avoid a catastrophic scenario for the situation," said the minister.
On 13 February, during the visit of Moldovan premier Pavel Filip to Kiev, an agreement was reached with the Ukrainian authorities to accelerate the establishment of joint control on the Pridnestrovian sector of the border. It is expected that the first such post will be open at the Kuchurgan border crossing. The customs services of Moldova and Ukraine plan to establish 13 joint checkpoints on the Pridnestrovian sector of the border.
According to preliminary estimates, in case of the establishment of such posts the PMR's economy will lose at least $38 million a year, and economic agents will have to fill in additional customs declaration. Differences in the legislation of Moldova and the PMR regulating the conduct of economic activity and the movement of goods will also pose great problems.
