Tiraspol, July 19. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. The negotiation process between Moldova and Pridnestrovie is not in a good stage, but there is no alternative to it. This was stated by Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry Vitaly Tryapitsyn. He led a delegation of Russian diplomats at a meeting at the Pridnestrovian Foreign Ministry.
According to Vitaly Tryapitsyn, the 5 + 2 format is now on pause for objective reasons. This is partly due to events in the neighboring state. But this is not the only reason.
“It was going through hardship before this. We all remember October 2019, when we failed to sign the Protocol at the Bratislava meeting. It is clear that the difficulties did not arise today, they had a certain backstory. Today, a direct dialogue between Chisinau and Tiraspol in the settlement process is coming to the forefront. That is why meetings of political representatives are important, and orderly and efficient work of expert working groups is important. Partly, this is achieved at some points, but, of course, a lot of issues need to be resolved, in a substantive discussion on them,” the Russian Ambassador said, expressing hope for “progress in this regard.”
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Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PMR Vitaly Ignatiev added that the negotiation process had not even stagnated since 2019. At some points (and there have been quite a few of them over 30 years), Pridnestrovie observed both the Moldova's leaving the negotiating table and actions aimed at destroying the dialogue.
“Unfortunately, the current stage is also no exception. I consider it unfair to somehow come up with justifications for this situation in the negotiations about Russian-Ukrainian relations. This has nothing to do with Moldova and Pridnestrovie`s dialogue. There have been problems in the negotiations for a long time,” he said.
At the same time, Pridnestrovie is always ready for dialogue.
Calls for this are heard at the highest level: from the President of Pridnestrovie, the Government, and the Supreme Council. Yet they remain unanswered.
“The Moldovan side continues to refuse dialogue, and we conclude that Chisinau is not ready for serious negotiations. Today we have contacts in relations with Moldova. Yes, we have regular communication at the level of political representatives. There were no meetings for a long time, now we are preparing for a meeting. I think it will take place in early August, but again, communication in a mode when the Moldovan side is not ready to solve a single problem is a complementary element, but this is not a dialogue or negotiations,” the PMR Foreign Minister explained.
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Pridnestrovian citizens remain hostages of the situation. They are the ones who feel the impact of the shortage of medicines (Moldova does not allow important shipments with medicines to pass through), restrictions on freedom of movement, and other difficulties.
“Medicines remain an open problem, while all other issues also remain unresolved, citizens of Pridnestrovie suffer from this. The problem is in Chisinau, it is it who does not comply with the agreement, it is the Moldovan side that creates problems for people - in particular, humanitarian supplies, it is Chisinau that refuses the call for dialogue, which Pridnestrovie demonstrates every day. But there is no alternative to negotiations, the dialogue must continue, and Pridnestrovie keeps the door open to it, people should not be hostages in such a situation,” Vitaly Ignatiev emphasized.
Vitaly Tryapitsyn, in turn, noted that Russia could solve some of the problems by providing humanitarian assistance to the PMR.
“We have direct connections, the Russian-Pridnestrovian dialogue is permanent. We see the topical, pressing issues faced in Pridnestrovie, so I do not exclude such a possibility of humanitarian assistance. It has been provided to Pridnestrovie, it just needs to be worked out,” the Russian diplomat said.
