The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky met with representatives of mediators (Russia, Ukraine, OSCE) and observers (USA and EU) in the negotiation process between Pridnestrovie and Moldova in the Official Reception House.
OSCE Special Representative Thomas Myer-Harting, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry Vitaly Tryapitsyn, Special Representative of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Viktor Kryzhanovsky, EU Representative Richard Tibbels, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent, Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova Klaus Neukirch and Swedish Ambassador to Moldova Anna Lieberg are among the guests.
The working meeting was also attended by the Chairman of the Supreme Council Alexander Korshunov, the Head of the PMR Foreign Ministry Vitaly Ignatiev and other officials, as well as representatives of the main public organizations of Pridnestrovie - the ULF, the Union of Russian Communities, the Union of Moldovans, the Union of Ukrainians, UIAEP, the Public Chamber.
President Vadim Krasnoselsky presented a report to international partners on the situation in the negotiations between Pridnestrovie and Moldova.
The head of state stressed that Chisinau does not fulfill its obligations to resolve humanitarian problems. At the same time, the Moldovan authorities create new problems by organizing banking and financial blockades, detaining goods for Pridnestrovie at the border and threatening with restrictions on the Pridnestrovian citizens` freedom of movement.
This process has occurred in tandem with the stagnation of the negotiation process began in 2019. Thus, the representatives of Moldova disrupted signing of the final document in Bratislava during the 5 + 2 meeting (Pridnestrovie and Moldova are parties; Russia, Ukraine, OSCE are mediators; US and EU are observers).
Relations worsened even more during the pandemic: Moldova was delaying medical supplies for Pridnestrovie at a time when the PMR residents needed them most. The Moldovan authorities also opposed the opening of a test laboratory in Pridnestrovie and began to politicize the topic of quarantine posts that were set up at the border of the PMR to counter the spread of coronavirus.
The abduction and illegal detention of Pridnestrovian citizens by the security forces of Moldova is another example. Vadim Krasnoselsky spoke about Andrey Samoniy`s illegal imprisonment. The head of state noted that that case has been fabricated by the special services of Moldova. As a result, the innocent was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
“Knowingly innocent, who did not participate in any events, was convicted. That is, Moldova has shown its true colors, has shown how it intends to act in relation to Pridnestrovian officials” the President noted.
Vadim Krasnoselsky also commented on the US Ambassador Derek Hogan`s statements, according to which Pridnestrovie should come under the control of Moldova.
“What is administrative control? These are military control, law enforcement control, judicial control and financial control. Mr. Hogan did not say anything about how this will be implemented. By strangling Pridnestrovie? Escalating the conflict? Maybe a war? What did the Ambassador of the United States of America mean when he made such statements? It is unclear,” Vadim Krasnoselsky said.
The President noted that the thesis about the so-called "territorial integrity of Moldova", which means a kind of "reintegration" of Pridnestrovie into the Republic of Moldova, was insolvent. Vadim Krasnoselsky recalled that Chisinau itself legally renounced Pridnestrovie, recognizing the creation of the Moldavian SSR as an illegal act. At the same time, Chisinau has only been exacerbating the Moldovan-Pridnestrovian conflict for all 30 years. This continues to this day with the help of blockade methods. Thus, the launch of the second phase of control at the joint Moldovan-Ukrainian checkpoint Kuchurgani was announced for July 1, which could lead to a complete blockade of imports into Pridnestrovie and bankrupting of a large number of individual entrepreneurs. A ban on the movement of vehicles with Pridnestrovian license plates across the Ukrainian border was announced for September 1.
All this does not contribute to the settlement of the Moldovan-Pridnestrovian conflict, but, on the contrary, leads to its escalation, Vadim Krasnoselsky is convinced.
At the same time, Pridnestrovie is committed to dialogue and, unlike Moldova, fulfills all its obligations within the framework of the negotiation process.
“Thirty years of experience shows that such methods as threats, blockades and hostilities cannot positively influence the negotiation process. Residents of Pridnestrovie cannot and should not be hostages of Moldova's failure to fulfill its obligations,” Vadim Krasnoselsky stressed.
The participants in the negotiation process agree that humanitarian issues to the citizens` advantage must be resolved in order to move forward, and for this it is important that all parties to the conflict fulfill their obligations. But for the agreements to work, it is necessary to create an effective mechanism for their implementation into the legislation.
Probably, it is necessary to return to the issue of the implementation of the agreements reached, guarantees of the performance of the agreements,” Vitaly Tryapitsyn, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
As noted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pridnestrovie Vitaly Ignatiev, the negotiation process is being primarily conducted to the people`s advantage.
“The main principle that lies at the forefront of the negotiation process is not the territorial principle, but the interests of the people,” the diplomat recalled. "This principle should not be made dependent on political problems in a particular country."
Ignatiev called on mediators and observers to help ensure that Chisinau is also ready to implement the agreements.
The PMR Foreign Minister stressed that it is important to avoid "added problems", and the Pridnestrovian residents` rights should not be limited, including the right to freedom of movement.
As the President of the PMR Vadim Krasnoselsky emphasized, the position of Pridnestrovie remains the same - to continue the dialogue to the advantage of the people.
“We look forward to understanding and continuing working contacts. It is important that they have a practical sense, an applied nature. One of the nearest prospects is the expected 5 + 2 meeting in Stockholm in September. Pridnestrovie fully supports this initiative and counts on the transition to the practice of implementing agreements by all participants in the negotiation process,” the head of state said.
Speaking of the prospects and expediency of continuing the dialogue, Vadim Krasnoselsky recalled that Pridnestrovie insisted on preserving and continues to defend the existing 5 + 2 negotiation format. As for political issues, the fate of Pridnestrovie will be decided by the people, Vadim Krasnoselsky stressed.
“As for the fate of Pridnestrovie, the people will decide it. And, by the way, this postulate runs counter to the UN and other international organizations` standards in no way," the PMR President summed up.
