The representative of "The Parlamentskaya Gazeta" official publication of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Dmitry Olishevsky arrived in Pridnestrovie to participate in the elections of the President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic as an international observer. Taking this opportunity, a Russian journalist interviewed Vadim Krasnoselsky.
Dmitry Olishevsky, "The Parlamentskaya Gazeta":
Presidential elections were held in the republic. You voted. Tell me, what did you vote for?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
For peace, first of all, and for stability. These concepts have a big essence. I voted for the people's choice. The people were determined in 2006 at referendum, where they approved our independence, our desire for recognition and integration with the Russian Federation. The choice of the people is the first thing. I voted for our Pridnestrovian people, for their strengthening. Our people consist of different nationalities, many ethnic groups, and we respect the culture, customs and traditions of all people living in Pridnestrovie. I also voted for the social guidelines of a state with a market economy. Everything is very simple. Pure socialism cannot be built under our conditions – this is impossible, and pure capitalism cannot be built under our conditions– this is also unrealistic. It is possible to build a socially oriented state with a market economy, and we are doing it. That's what I voted for.
Dmitry Olishevsky, "The Parlamentskaya Gazeta":
How do you see the state in 5 years?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
I've always talked about self-sufficiency. Achieving exceptional 100% self-sufficiency is the most difficult thing, but it's worth striving. We must fully provide ourselves with everything we need. This is self-sufficiency.
Dmitry Olishevsky, "The Parlamentskaya Gazeta":
Is it possible?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
I think yes. It is very possible in Pridnestrovie. An industrial belt has been created in Pridnestrovie. We have retained many businesses that work. We have good energy, heavy industry, light industry, agro-industrial complex, we have state land with good farmers. All this provides an opportunity for good development. The main thing is to go forward and develop. We must strive for this. If we are talking about the agro-industrial complex, then we are talking about food. This is a very important aspect in any society, especially when certain crises happen (pandemic, economic crises, food crisis, and so on). Therefore, the production of raw materials, food products is a state task. Its solution is impossible without the planned development of the agro-industrial complex. That is why we have developed a land reclamation program. Our goal is to reach the level comparable to Soviet indicators, when there were 62000 hectares under irrigation on the territory of Pridnestrovie. Now there are more than 30000 hectares. Let me remind you that 5 years ago there were only 8000 hectares of irrigated land. In addition to the question of self-sufficiency: all attachments, pumps, electric motors, all pipes that are laid, expanding the reclamation complex - all this is of the Pridnestrovian production, the products of the Electromash plant and other enterprises of the republic. This is where self-sufficiency is. We make what we need with our own hands, invest in improving the fertility of the land and get the result. Of course, one of the priority tasks is to increase pensions and salaries. Of course this is very difficult to do in the pandemic, although we increased the amount of payments under these conditions. There are very high costs now for the fight against this evil, the coronavirus, but nevertheless there are reserves, therefore, as soon as it becomes easier, we will definitely increase pensions and salaries.
Dmitry Olishevsky, "The Parlamentskaya Gazeta":
Judging by the composition of the delegations in which there are deputies and senators of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Pridnestrovie is supported. Do you feel supported?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
Certainly. I am grateful to the Russian Federation for the fact that, even despite the demarches from Moldova, senators, legislators, and State Duma deputies have arrived here to see with their own eyes democratic processes, our turnout, the desire of people to choose their future without listening to any gossip, not perceiving hostile innuendo. Pridnestrovie has been in such conditions for 31 years. It was the people who have always determined the future of this land. We have worked and are working the principles of direct democracy, that is, fundamental issues are discussed with people in referendums. This is nowhere else. Not a single referendum has been held recently in neighboring Moldova, the fate of the state was decided by a group of people. Our people decide. Observers, to which I am very grateful of course, came here to see, to record, to show this.
Dmitry Olishevsky, "The Parlamentskaya Gazeta":
Voices are being heard about a change in the peacekeeping operation. Is this possible, in your opinion? And if this format is changed, will such an operation be effective?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
First, please notice where these voices are coming from. Voices are heard from those who call, among other things, not to recognize the elections of the people of Pridnestrovie. This is all interconnected. These same people are talking about changing the format of the peacekeeping mission. These same people say that no one will take into account the elections of the people of Pridnestrovie. All this has nothing to do with either stability or peace. I voted for peace, and these people who talk about escalation and about conflict.
Dmitry Olishevsky, "The Parlamentskaya Gazeta":
To what extent is it possible to improve relations with Chisinau and prolong the negotiation process?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
Pridnestrovie traditionally favors the continuation of the negotiation process. Hundreds of different agreements have been signed between Moldova and Pridnestrovie. The most recent are the protocols of the Berlin and Berlin + package, which disclosed and supplemented the agreements in 2017-2018. How far can we move forward in the negotiations, towards each other? I think that we must fulfill these agreements – this will move forward. To go further, you need to fulfill what was signed earlier. If the Moldovan side does not fulfill the previously signed agreements, it creates additional problems, this does not create favorable conditions, a good platform for the development of the negotiation process. Moreover, we are witnessing constant crises in Moldova. Someone quit, then electoral cycles that freeze the entire negotiation process, then the pandemic interferes, then electoral processes again, then there is no political representative. It seems that all this is somehow artificially created in order not to speak with us. Although we are open to dialogue: signed by me, signed by the Prime Minister of the PMR, the head of the Supreme Council the letters with a proposal for contacts and an agenda were sent to the President of the Republic of Moldova, Prime Minister, Speaker. We are ready to talk. The choice is theirs.
Dmitry Olishevsky, "The Parlamentskaya Gazeta":
We see that the "5 + 2" format is with stagnation, frankly. Is there any optimism in this direction.
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
This is again a continuation of what I was talking about. Now the continuation of the format depends on the Moldovan side. It is on the initiative of the Moldovan side that the gathering of participants in the "Permanent Conference ..." format has already been postponed twice. It is impossible due to the absence of a political representative. In fact, the Moldovan side now has the key to this format. We expressed our opinion, we want to speak in this format, we want to participate in it, to achieve some result. The main principle of the "5 + 2" format is the implementation of the reached agreements. That is, the Moldovan side will have real problems. What will they say to the participants in this format? What did they do? This is the reason why they are postponing the convening of this meeting. I hope for common sense. Nothing can be decided here without negotiations.
