Tiraspol, 23 May. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. Moldova's plans to establish together with Ukraine customs and border posts at the Pridnestrovian-Ukrainian border is a unilateral measure taken behind Tiraspol's back. Pridnestrovie is a proponent of considering this issue at any negotiating venue, but some participants of the «Permanent conference…» prefer not to notice our position. This is what President Krasnoselsky said at a briefing for journalists.
«There seem to be attempts to force us out of this format, which is incorrect. Since the start of the year we have written dozens of letters to all «5+2» format participants demanding and requesting them to hold a 'Permanent conference…' meeting and discuss issues with no preconditions. I proposed Igor Dodon on 30 March to issue a joint address to Mr Kurtz, OSCE chairman-in-office, to convene [a meeting in] this format. There has been no response so far. So I insist on calling such a meeting, and Russia supports our demand," said the president.
In the meantime, in addition to Moldova's plans to establish joint posts at the border, Kiev had made a decision to put a ban on the transit of some food products to the PMR since 20 May.
«This is also a unilateral act. Both Ukraine and Russia are guarantors of the negotiating process, and a guarantor must force conflicting parties to comply with their commitments. Unfortunately, some countries side with Moldova and are, in fact, Moldova's supporters and advocates in this respect. This is wrong," noted Krasnoselsky.
Krasnoselsky recalled that a package of agreements had been reached by Moldova and Pridnestrovie, including on veterinary, and underscored that those agreements should be observed, «otherwise confidence will be lost».
«Of course, we'll take measures, seek solutions, a compromise. I have already requested the president and prime minister of Moldova, officials of the Russian Federation as a guarantor of the negotiating process as well as Ukraine's foreign ministry to address this issue," said the president.
According to Krasnoselsky, Pridnestrovie has made a number of compromise steps to accommodate its Moldovan colleagues. Among them are the termination of a number of criminal cases against Moldovan officials, settlement of the so-called Romanian-language school problem and a simplified migration regime… «But unfortunately, we haven't seen reciprocal steps in the past five months. A railway line to Rybnitsa is still blocked. Note that Moldovan Steel Works has operated for three years without any railway transport logistics, without the right to ship finished goods by rail rather than by road, which increases production expenses. Why not unblock this line, especially if Ukraine is ready to and, as I know, it is Moldova that is blocking?» asked the president.
According to him, attempts to reconcile positions are replaced by political slogans about federalisation and a certain status.
«But I wonder if those speaking about federalisation are ready for it? Pridnestrovie isn't. Why? Because there is a popular opinion expressed in the referendum. Are Moldovan politicians ready for that? Are they ready to change the constitution, legislation, repeal certain laws; to make Russian a national language; to give a status to the Russian troops in Moldova? No, they probably aren't. Why the slogans then? Let's put them aside, as was originally supposed. Let's skip politics and solve the problems affecting the lives of ordinary people: cultural, humanitarian, economical and so on. Let's bring our positions closer. Otherwise, the counteraction will be equal to the power of pressure on us," underscored the president.
