Tiraspol, 29 May. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. Pridnestrovie's neighbours seek to limit the country's capabilities and thus force it to reintegrate with Moldova. In order to achieve this goal, they systematically employ economic leverage. Such an opinion was expressed by the head of the Moldova and Pridnestrovie Department of the CIS Institute, Sergey Lavrenyov, who has commented on the Kiev authorities' decision to ban the transit of food into the PMR through the Ukrainian border since 20 May, as well as Moldova's plans to establish joint Moldo-Ukrainian customs and border control at the Pridnestrovian border.
«If, say, in 2006, when the first attempts of this kind, were made, this resulted in restricted exports and, partially, imports, the today's purpose is to place the entire export-import activities of Pridnestrovie into Moldova's legal framework and to dictate its own terms in this sphere," noted Lavrenyov.
According to the expert, neither Kiev nor Kishinev can make such decisions independently. They have been coordinated with EU bodies since it is known that «even the establishment of those posts will be funded, among other sponsors, by the EU. This is quite a sum.»
Pridnestrovie, supported by Russia, has repeatedly called on its partners to discuss the establishment of Moldo-Ukrainian posts near its border in the «5+2» format, but both Moldova and the OSCE (a mediator in the negotiating process) are refusing to discuss the issue at a «Permanent conference…» meeting.
«There is certain sabotage of calls by Pridnestrovie and Russia to address this controversial situation in a negotiating format. Thus, the EU gives a tip that this issue formally belongs to bipartisan relations. So, this actually violates the previous agreements, arrangements which stipulate that should such conflict situations arise, they must be considered within the «5+2» negotiating format," Lavrenyov recalled.
The Russian expert also noted that Ukraine's support for the unilateral steps taken by Moldova to stifle Pridnestrovie's independence raised a lot of questions as Ukraine is a guarantor of the «5+2» negotiating process.
«Ukraine does not act as a guarantor, although formally it retains this status. Since 2015, Ukraine and Moldova have been pursuing a concerted policy to create unnecessary problems for Pridnestrovie, and thus indirectly for Russia. In other words, there is not only anti-Russian rhetoric but also anti-Russian activities in the region where the peacekeeping mission and OGRF are deployed," noted Lavrenyov.
Moscow is certain to take «certain diplomatic measures to show the illegality» of the actions of Moldova and Ukraine, the expert believes.
«It is necessary to use a range of political and diplomatic means to draw the attention of the international community to the situation that may result in a humanitarian disaster," concluded the expert.
