Tiraspol, April 26. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. The idea to prohibit vehicles registered in the PMR from crossing the border with Ukraine was inspired by the official Chisinau, since Kiev only responds to requests from the official authorities. This opinion was expressed by the Director of the Political Research Bureau Mediator Sergey Shirokov on the air of the First Pridnestrovian TV Channel.
The political scientist notes that it is difficult to predict how the situation will develop now. In his opinion, it is necessary to wait until the end of the internal political crisis in the Republic of Moldova. It is important to understand who will represent the authorities, whom Tiraspol will need to engage in dialogue with, the expert noted.
“Let's hope that the situation will be resolved in a positive way and no blockade of vehicles with the Pridnestrovian license plates will happen. Because if this does happen, then the position of Kiev will run counter to the high status of the guarantor and mediator in the negotiation process between Pridnestrovie and Moldova. Since such actions will lead to deterioration of the Pridnestrovian situation as a party to the conflict,” the expert noted.
Earlier, President Vadim Krasnoselsky commented on the issue of a possible ban on the Pridnestrovian vehicles entry into Ukraine. In particular, he noted that such requests of Moldova are counterproductive and dangerous for regional stability, since they are based on avoidance of civilized dialogue, violate the principles of the negotiation process in the 5 + 2 format and current agreements, restrict the rights and freedoms of PMR residents.
In 2018, Moldova and Pridnestrovie signed a Protocol Decision on the participation of non-commercial vehicles from Pridnestrovie in international traffic. According to the document, Pridnestrovian vehicles with neutral license plates can participate in international traffic. Vehicles registration points (VRP) were created for their registration. The document sets no time limits, and all Pridnestrovians, regardless of citizenship, can use the VRP mechanism. At the same time, one of the points of the protocol emphasizes that any failures that have arisen in the VRP mechanism are resolved at the negotiating table. However, the Moldovan authorities started to demand from Pridnestrovian car owners to obtain a driving license of the Republic of Moldova as a condition for issuing neutral license plates. Thus, Chisinau only allows access to the VRP for citizens of Moldova, although many Pridnestrovians are citizens of Russia and Ukraine. Under these conditions, in February 2021 in Chisinau, it was announced that from September 1, Ukraine may prohibit the exit for vehicles with Pridnestrovian license plates, and vehicles with neutral license plates will only be able to cross the border. The international mediators - Russia and the OSCE - in turn, noted that no restrictions should be imposed until all residents of Pridnestrovie, regardless of citizenship, have access to the VRP mechanism.
