On May 14, there was posted a message on the website of the Government of Moldova stating that a meeting of expert (working) groups on customs and human rights issues had not taken place through the fault of the representatives of Pridnestrovie. The content of this official publication seemed very strange, since it was Tiraspol that has repeatedly advocated for an early discussion of the problems of blocking vital cargoes for Pridnestrovie at the Moldovan border. Novosti Pridnestrovya contacted the press service of the PMR Ministry of Foreign Affairs, seeking clarification.
The office of the Moldovan negotiator complained of the Pridnestrovian side postponing the meetings of two expert (working) groups. What had really happened?
As you know, in recent months, instead of meaningful work in the negotiations, Chisinau has shifted its efforts towards the information area, trying to manipulate public opinion, diverting attention from real problems.
In this case, Moldovan side once again was put in an awkward situation, interpreting the standard technical procedure for agreeing the date and time of subject-matter experts` meetings in video communication format. In particular, it was the Pridnestrovian side that proposed the current date for experts` meeting on customs issues to discuss recurring problems with imports, and the need for its postponement had developed due to the unwillingness of Moldovan representatives. Moreover, we also set a specific date for the online meeting of subgroup on human rights.
There is a corresponding diplomatic correspondence, including international representatives in the 5 + 2 format, who know the real situation, therefore such spread of false stories is solely aimed at creating a false media report.
We emphasize that it is the Moldovan side that deliberately disrupts the work of expert groups. For example, since January of this year, the meeting of subgroup on banking issues was postponed many times by Chisinau, which had not given an answer about the willingness to work yet. The initiatives of Pridnestrovie to organize online communication of expert groups on telecommunications and motor vehicles remained unanswered.
As you know, the vast majority of the Moldovan side’s obligations in the negotiations adopted in the framework of the Berlin Plus package has not yet been fulfilled. And judging by the blocking of the expert dialogue dynamics, Moldova is in no hurry to fulfill these international obligations.
Why do you think Chisinau is once again twisting the facts?
It seems that itch for a new excuse to blame Pridnestrovie during the epidemic has become a form of emergency rescue of its reputation for Chisinau.
The resounding flop of a speculative and non-viable plan with holding a fictitious “emergency” 5 + 2 meeting online, the obvious absurdity of the charges regularly voiced by the Moldovan side on various occasions, the recent official visit of the WHO delegation at the request of Pridnestrovie, which was held at a high professional level and in a constructive manner, - all these factors deepen international partners` mistrust of the approaches of the Republic of Moldova. Under these conditions, the Moldovan side is trying to find some excuse to shift the responsibility to Pridnestrovie.
In addition, such insinuations illustrate that there is frustration and even fears of real expert work among the representatives of Chisinau, which also reflects the general emptiness of the current position of the Republic of Moldova in the framework of the negotiation process. Moldovan representatives are milking the moment when they simply will have nothing to answer to the numerous arguments of the Pridnestrovian side as much as possible.
