Russian delegation led by the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, Special Representative of the President of Russia for Trade and Economic Relations with Moldova Dmitry Kozak, appointed about a year ago, arrived in Pridnestrovie on official visit. The Russian diplomat has not been in the republic for more than one and a half decades. Vadim Krasnoselsky repeatedly communicated with the Russian Deputy Chairman of the Government during the Moscow meetings. The working conversation with the PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky on Pridnestrovian land for Dmitry Kozak in his current status took place for the first time. The Special Representative is accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin, First Deputy Finance Minister Leonid Gornin, and the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Moldova Oleg Vasnetsov, Acting Trade Representative of Russia in Moldova Vladislav Darvay and other officials as well as Director of the Representative Office of Gazprom in the Republic of Moldova Gennady Abashkin and Director General of Inter RAO-Export Maxim Sergeyev.
The Pridnestrovian side is represented at the meeting by the PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR Government Chairman Alexander Martynov, the PMR Supreme Council Chairman Alexander Korshunov, the Head of the Presidential Administration Sergey Belous, the First Deputy Chairman of the Government, Advisor to the President on Foreign Policy Ruslan Slobodenyuk and Minister of Economic Development of the PMR Sergei Obolonik.
Pridnestrovian leadership met the guests in Bendery. The visit of the Russians to the republic began with a visit to the Military-Historical Memorial Complex. Vadim Krasnoselsky welcomed Dmitry Kozak and his colleagues at the Central Colonnade, which is not only the entrance to the necropolis, but also an independent museum: exhibits reflecting the history of the 55th Podolsk Infantry Regiment are located in one wing, and the Russian Military Glory Museum is located in the other wing. After exchanging greetings and introducing members of the delegations, the interlocutors walked through the territory of the complex. Vadim Krasnoselsky told about the history of this place - the former military cemetery, where more than five thousand people were laid to rest. The PMR President emphasized that burials covering a century and a half of history have perpetuated the memory of Russian, French, Romanian, and Hungarian soldiers. The President recalled that the military necropolis of the old Bendery was almost destroyed by the beginning of the century. The PMR Ministry of the Interior Affairs in 2006 took up the restoration of unique historical object, symbolizing the inviolability of the connection of times. Not only burials are restored, but also archival materials, seeking information from the relevant services of Russia, Moldova, Ukraine, Germany, Romania, Sweden, France. Visitors walked along the Alley of Generals, remembering the names of famous commanders - eleven representatives of glorious noble families, stopped at the Central Cross, put commemorative candles in the Church of the Savior not made by hands, the interior of which reflects military history. On the walls of the temple - granite slabs with a list of regiments whose personnel were buried on this land, as well as units that participated in the attack on the fortress in Bendery in 1770.
Members of the delegations at the end of the introductory part of the visit arrived in the capital. The working part of the meeting was held at the House of official receptions.
Welcoming the Russian guests, Vadim Krasnoselsky called Dmitry Kozak's visit important for Pridnestrovie, emphasizing that many questions had accumulated that required urgent decisions at the highest level. In addition, the President expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Pridnestrovian people for Russian peacekeeping on the banks of the Dniester, spoke about the role of Russia as a guarantor in the negotiation process between Pridnestrovie and the Republic of Moldova, as well as Pridnestrovian-Russian cooperation in the humanitarian, cultural, economic planes. Especially Vadim Krasnoselsky focused on the financial assistance provided by the Russian Federation to compatriots living in Pridnestrovie, assuring that all funds received are spent strictly on purpose and absolutely transparent. “The position of Pridnestrovie is that we should be open and transparent in relations with Russia. Any question must be answered. Therefore, I call for negotiations, so that they take place more often. We are committed to discussing the entire package of current issues”, the PMR President said.
The Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation emphasized that he was not indifferent to the fate of Pridnestrovie. He noted the positive changes that he observes while visiting Pridnestrovie. Dmitry Kozak spoke about the Russian support provided to the republic, in which a significant number of Russians live, about the development of mutually beneficial economic relations. At the same time, the Russian politician noted the importance of building up the domestic economic potential of the republic, emphasizing that this aspect is more important than providing any kind of financial assistance. “We are ready to provide support if you have requests. Here a significant number of Russian citizens live, we are obliged to support them politically and economically - this is our sacred duty, responsibility to our citizens, and in this sense we need even closer interaction with the authorities of Pridnestrovie. I propose to focus on the fundamental issues of our interaction so that we can compactly speak and make a decision. Thus, we are moving into the future”, Dmitry Kozak said in the introductory part of the discussion.
The interlocutors during the working meeting discussed the whole range of topical issues and prospects for solving existing problems.
