Tiraspol, 15 February. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. The protocol decision on cooperation in the field of veterinary, quarantine and plant protection was signed at a meeting of the political representatives of Moldova and Pridnestrovie held today in Kishinev.
This was the first round of talks in the "1 +1" format, in which the new Moldovan representative, Deputy Prime Minister Cristina Lesnic, took part.
According to the representative of Pridnestrovie, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vitaly Ignatiev, this agreement is of great practical importance. Until now, the interaction between the relevant authorities of the sides on the issues identified in the document has been carried out on a case-by-case basis, but now there is a regular basis for it.
"We have formalised and created additional contractual grounds for such interaction, which, I think, will be more efficient and intensive," said the minister.
At the same time, the diplomat underscored that thorough control over the production of plant and animal origin was important not only for the signatories but also for their foreign partners.
"Here lie the common interests of not Pridnestrovie and Moldova alone but also of the European Union and other neighbouring countries. We are all interested in the safety of products and the safety of our residents," said Vitaly Ignatiev.
The parties also discussed the implementation of the Vienna Protocol and the agreements signed last November, including the mechanism for the apostille verification of Pridnestrovie-issued university diplomas. The Moldovan government had recently approved the procedure of apostille verification. At the next meeting of expert (working) groups on education, Kishinev representatives should inform the Pridnestrovian side about the implementation of this mechanism.
Among the topics raised at the meeting was the issue of land use by Moldovan farmers in the Dubossary District. An agreement aimed at resolving the situation in this area was also signed last November.
The Pridnestrovian side also outlined the problem of politically motivated criminal cases and rail transport.
The next meeting of Vitaly Ignatiev and Cristina Lesnic will be held on 21 February during a meeting of expert (working) groups on motor transport. Such a format has been chosen to give "a political impetus to the negotiations and help technical experts to come to a common denominator."
According to the Vienna Protocol, the parties should resolve the issue of participation of Pridnestrovian cars in the international road traffic before the end of February.
