Tiraspol, July, 1. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. The reformatting of power in Moldova gives hope for the continuation of negotiations in the framework of the Pridnestrovian settlement. The last meeting in the “5 + 2” format, where Moldova and Pridnestrovie act as parties to the conflict, Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE are mediators, and the European Union and the USA are observers, took place over a year ago in Rome. The next round of negotiations should take place in Slovakia in September. The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselski told the Parliamentary Newspaper about results that were expected of it in Pridnestrovie.
- Mr. President, why is the negotiation process stalling and is there any hope that creation of a coalition in the Moldovan parliament and the formation of a Government will help it to go quicker?
- I would call it stagnation. There are objective reasons for this, the main one being political situation in the neighboring state - Moldova. This is due to the past parliamentary elections in the country and the subsequent political crisis. Until a parliamentary coalition was formed between the ACUM bloc and the Socialist Party, until the new Prime Minister Maya Sandu began to form a government, until a person was appointed in his position in charge of the negotiation process, it was difficult to talk about any negotiations. The years 2017-2018 were years of successful compromises between Moldova and Pridnestrovie in terms of issues relating to the lives of ordinary people. A number of acute problems associated with schools, registration numbers, telephone, farmlands, were completely or partially removed.
We have fulfilled our obligations. We are waiting for reciprocal steps from the Moldovan side.
However, issues in such areas as telecommunications, the cessation of politically motivated criminal cases, interbank cooperation, the full functioning of the northern section of the railway, the problems of joint Moldovan-Ukrainian control on the border with Pridnestrovie are still relevant. We have fulfilled our obligations. We are waiting for reciprocal steps from the Moldovan side.
- When should the next round of negotiations take place?
- Mediators and observers in the negotiation process of the “5 + 2” format plan to visit Chisinau and Tiraspol on July 12. Recently, confirmation was received of the upcoming visit.
After consultations, preparations will begin for the next round of negotiations in the “5 + 2” format. Let me remind you: the last time the negotiations took place in Rome last May.
However, as the representative of the Russian Federation rightly pointed out in the negotiation process on the Pridnestrovian settlement Sergey Gubarev, those meetings did not have to end with the signing of some crucial documents. Pridnestrovie expects no specific breakthrough from the negotiations. Such meetings serve to monitor the implementation of the decisions that were made and approved in this format.
- In June 2019, the PMR was twice visited by the Russian delegation led by the special representative of the President of Russia, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Government, Dmitry Kosak. What did you talk about during these meetings?
- It was the second meeting on the territory of Pridnestrovie. Earlier we met several times in Russia. As before, economic issues and humanitarian issues were discussed - in a word, the whole range of areas in which Pridnestrovie and Russia interact.
The purpose of the visit of the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia is to continue the discussion started at the beginning of this month on topical issues on the agenda of Pridnestrovian-Russian interaction, as well as those related to the activities of the “5 + 2” format. We spoke, for example, about peacemaking, noting that the operation, which had proved its effectiveness, should be continued in its present form.
- Is it possible, in your opinion, to change the format of peacekeeping activities in Pridnestrovie in the foreseeable future?
- For 27 years, a unique peacekeeping operation has been taking place on the banks of the Dniester, in which Russian, Pridnestrovian and Moldovan servicemen, as well as observers from Ukraine, take part. This mechanism has proven its effectiveness. Why change something that works well?
For the past few years, we have been hearing calls for a change in the peacekeeping format from various political figures. In our opinion, this is unacceptable. We have consistently advocated the continuation of the peacekeeping mission in the existing format. As long as there are peacekeepers on the banks of the Dniester, there will be peace and harmony here. This thesis is shared by all residents of Pridnestrovie. You can ask anyone, and anyone will confirm my words.
In addition, we are not talking only about security in Pridnestrovie. We are talking about security in the Black Sea region. And the Russian presence here is the basic, key element of this security. We have peace now, what else do we need? Therefore, all statements about changing the format of the peacekeeping mission have nothing to do with peace. Those who make it try to only solve their narrowly focused political objectives.
