Tiraspol, 11 May. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. The situation in the negotiation process between Pridnestrovie and Moldova, as well as the forthcoming meeting in the "5 +2" format in Rome, became the subject of a regular meeting of the Public Expert Council under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PMR. The meeting was attended by the ministry's leadership, representatives of public authorities, the Public Chamber, the expert community, the national communities of Pridnestrovie, as well as the heads of the country's major media.
Freedom of movement
The meeting was opened by foreign minister Vitaly Ignatiev, who outlined the positive results of the negotiation process. On 24 April, the chief negotiators of Moldova and Pridnestrovie signed in Bendery a protocol decision on the participation of Pridnestrovian vehicles in international road traffic.
The harmonisation of all the technical aspects of the agreement had taken about three months and included more than 20 meetings of dedicated experts and diplomats.
"We have not seen such intensity in the negotiations for many years," noted Vitaly Ignatyev.
The mechanism which has been created is complex. It regulates interaction through the Interpol, as well as in the sphere of customs, administrative, technical control and other fundamentally important elements. In addition, all Pridnestrovian citizens will be able to take part in it, regardless the second citizenship that they may have.
"Last but not least, this mechanism is absolutely voluntary. Those Pridnestrovians who want to continue using Pridnestrovian licence numbers will further have this opportunity... They will be able to travel across Moldova without any restrictions," said Vitaly Ignatyev.
He also added that the mechanism was supported by all international partners, including the Ukrainian side, which took an active part in the negotiations on this issue.
"Ukraine as an active participant in the whole process respects the agreement that has been reached and supports it. There are reasons to believe that movement of Pridnestrovian vehicles in Ukraine will face no obstacles," said Vitaly Ignatyev.
The language of restrictions is unacceptable
The problem of joint Moldovan-Ukrainian customs and border control at the border of Pridnestrovie with Ukraine is another important topic touched upon at the meeting. Vitaly Ignatyev condemned the restrictive measures against Pridnestrovie's economic agents, noting that the PMR uses the entire potential of political and diplomatic tools to prevent the deterioration of the situation.
"We know that Chisinau together with Kiev is continuing to implement the restrictive mechanism. This regime has been launched in Kuchurgan in the Phase 1+ format. The first problems have already been recorded - a ban on the supply of a batch of medicines to Pridnestrovian economic agents. That issue has been resolved, but the problem remains open. We say that these measures objectively violate the interests of economic agents, Pridnestrovian citizens, enterprises, heads of enterprises against whom criminal cases have been established," said the minister.
Vitaly Ignatyev also reported that a meeting of the chief negotiators of Pridnestrovie and the Republic of Moldova with the involvement of a wide range of relevant experts was held on 10 May. During this meeting, Chisinau for the first time expressed its readiness to discuss the entire range of problems associated with costs related to Pridnestrovian economic agents, citizens of Pridnestrovie.
"Under the aegis of political representatives, next week we will intensify the dialogue on a number of directions. In the economic sphere, in the field of veterinary and phytosanitary control, public health, customs cooperation," noted the diplomat.
The agenda of "5 +2" negotiations
The fulfilment of the agreements reached between Tiraspol and Chisinau is a priority issue that the Pridnestrovian diplomats intend to discuss at a "5+2" meeting, which will be held from 29 to 30 May in Rome, Vitaly Ignatyev said.
The main challenge to the negotiation process - joint customs and border control at the Pridnestrovian border - will be passed over.
"We will certainly draw the attention of all international actors to the inadmissibility of any form of restrictions. Especially when the implementation of previously reached agreements is being carried out. It is inadmissible to solve some problems and at the same time to impose other restrictions. I hope that all international participants will take part in this dialogue," said Vitaly Ignatyev.
There are also long-standing problems that await the continuation of their discussion - these are issues of interaction in the banking sphere, in the sphere of politically motivated criminal prosecution, freight railroad service and the development of a mechanism to ensure the implementation of the agreements.
