Bendery, 23 August. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. The political representatives of Moldova and Pridnestrovie have met today after five months of recess. The bilateral talks were held at Bendery's OSCE office.
Vitaly Ignatyev told journalists after the meeting that he had handed over a note of protest to his Moldovan colleague «in connection with the unilateral establishment of joint Moldo-Ukrainian border and customs control near the territory of Pridnestrovie.
According to Ignatyev, this unilateral measure by the Moldovan side violates both agreements and mechanisms of the negotiating process, while Pridnestrovie's position on this issue is absolutely ignored.
«This note emphasises that this is a destructive measure that adversely affects the dialogue between the parties on a wide range of issues. We have called on the Moldovan side to renounce any unilateral measures aimed at restricting the rights and interests of Pridnestrovians and comply with the established mechanism within the negotiating process. We believe that Moldova should pay careful attention to Pridnestrovie's position on this issue," said the diplomat.
At the same time, Ignatyev noted that the joint border control problem would be raised at all possible levels and platforms.
«If someone has an illusion that this topic will not be discussed, I can assure you it will until these restrictions are lifted," he said.
It should be noted that the negative consequences of the possible deployment of Moldovan law enforcers at the Kuchurgan checkpoint were calculated at the start of the year. Thus, only preliminary calculations show that the PMR's economy will lose at least $38 million a year, and the country's economic agents will have to fill in additional customs declarations. Serious problems will occur due to differences in the legislation of Pridnestrovie and Moldova regarding economic activities and the movement of goods. Individual businessmen may carry under $1,000 worth of goods without declaring to Pridnestrovie. In Moldova, this sum is limited to €300. This, in fact, jeopardises small business: over 50 people may lose jobs.
During the previous meeting of political representatives in March, Gheorghe Balan called speculation all the problems that Pridnestrovian citizens might face at the end of the year.
Even today the Moldovan side continues to insist that this issue does not relate to the negotiating process but rather to bilateral relations between Moldova and Ukraine, that the joint post in Kuchurgan does not pose a threat to the population and Pridnestrovie's economic entities. That is, the position of Pridnestrovie is still ignored by Kishinev.
It is also noteworthy that Mr Balan did not even mention during today's press briefing the protest note received from Pridnestrovie's MFA.
