Tiraspol, January 21. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. The introduction of the so-called "second phase" of the joint Moldovan-Ukrainian customs border control in Kuchurgan is planned to be postponed. This was announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PMR Vitaly Ignatiev on the air of the First Pridnestrovian TV Channel.
“At the official and working level, we appealed to the Moldovan side, as well as international participants, so that no measures were taken that could aggravate the situation in Pridnestrovie. There is an understanding from the Moldovan side. Today I was informed that there is a draft Government Regulation not to impose a tool to pressure Pridnestrovie,” the Head of the Foreign Ministry said.
Vitaly Ignatiev added that the final decision should be made by the end of January.
The issue of double border control on the Pridnestrovian-Ukrainian border was discussed at a meeting of political representatives from Pridnestrovie and Moldova, which took place yesterday.
The introduction of the “second phase” of joint customs border control would aggravate the economic situation of the PMR citizens, including individual entrepreneurs, the head of the Foreign Ministry reminded.
The joint Moldovan-Ukrainian customs point on the Pridnestrovian border began its work on May 31, 2017. The so-called "second phase" assumes control by the employees of the Moldovan customs and border police of export-import flows, vehicles and individuals.
The Pridnestrovian side has repeatedly emphasized the politicized nature of the joint control project, which threatens Pridnestrovian foreign economic activity, freedom of movement and security. So, for example, in 2018 Moldova did not let goods with medicines go to Pridnestrovie through the Kuchurgan customs checkpoint. Last year, the Moldovan authorities again blocked Pridnestrovian imports.
In addition, the presence of Moldovan border guards in Kuchurgan is fraught with provocations, which have repeatedly occurred at the Chisinau airport. Last year, the border guards of the Republic of Moldova prevented all holders of Pridnestrovian driver's licenses from crossing the Ukrainian-Romanian-Moldovan border.
