Tiraspol, December 17./Novosti Pridnestrovya/. During the meeting of political representatives of the PMR and the RM that was held the previous day in the OSCE Mission to Moldova the sides discussed one of the most important issues of the negotiation agenda – import of goods in Pridnestrovie with a focus on the import of medicines. This was reported by the Head of the MFA of the PMR Vitaly Ignatiev, commenting at the press briefing on the results of negotiations with his counterpart Alexander Flenchea.
As Ignatiev explained, Tiraspol intends to discuss this topic at all levels of the negotiation process.
“Unfortunately, I am not satisfied with the response given by the Moldovan side. Chisinau approach is not fully understood. We will continue discussing this issue at all negotiation process levels,” the Minister stated.
Ignatiev added that if the issue is not solved, from 1 February it “can become a rib and create problems for the residents of Pridnestrovie” who need medicines.
Since 2017, a joint customs and border control of Moldova and Ukraine has been in operation at the Kuchurgan crossing point. Tiraspol has repeatedly emphasized the politicized nature of the joint control project threatening Pridnestrovian foreign economic activity, freedom of movement and security.
From February 1, 2020, Chisinau plans to introduce the second phase of control at the Moldo-Ukrainian customs-border crossing point in Kuchurgan. There is a threat that Moldovan security forces will not pass medicines in Pridnestrovie, as it was in 2018. The problem is that Moldova wants to impose its register of medicines on Pridnestrovie. At the same time, there is a huge difference in Pridnestrovian and Moldovan documents. The cost of medicines in the PMR is also much lower than in Moldova.
The Pridnestrovian side supports the preservation of the historical procedure for the import of medical cargo. This order, according to Tiraspol, should be reflected in the relevant agreement, which will allow continuous supply of the citizens of the PMR with the necessary medicines.
In April this year, the expert in the field of registration and import of medicines Michael Morris, visited Pridnestrovie to study the problem.