RIA News:
On the 1st of January Kishinev introduced new customs duties on goods imported by business entities in Pridnestrovie. How do you assess this step of Moldovan politicians? What goals did they pursue by imposing new payments on the republic’s economy?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
Duties are levied not only on imports, but also on exports of goods. They go straight to the budget of the neighboring state. We are talking about banal extortions from Pridnestrovian economic agents and consumers that is the population. It is characteristic that this decision was implemented in the most unscrupulous way, since throughout the past year the Moldovan side assured through various channels that the duties would not be collected.
There is a paradox: the leadership of the neighboring state loudly declares its commitment to civilized European principles and is in serious violation at the same time of rights and interests of the residents of Pridnestrovie, including citizens of Moldova, going against previously reached agreements, and all this against the backdrop of a lack of proper international reaction.
Moldova is strengthening its policy to strangle the Pridnestrovian economy and provoke a social crisis in Pridnestrovie. The ongoing banking, financial and transport blockade, problems with the import of a large list of goods, including socially significant ones: medicines, medical equipment, fuel, blocking the export of Pridnestrovian enterprises, environmental, and now customs payments – all these are links in one chain. More than thirty years of experience in the settlement of Moldovan-Pridnestrovian relations shows that the path of pressure and blockades chosen by Moldova in relation to Pridnestrovie is a dead end at the same time. Pressure has never contributed to the normalization of relations and the strengthening of regional stability. All participants in the Moldovan-Pridnestrovian settlement must understand this.
RIA News:
What will be the consequences for the economy of Pridnestrovie after all these payments are made? How will this affect ordinary people? Will it lead to higher prices?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
The payment of additional customs duties by our economic agents in Moldova will lead to expenses of tens of millions of dollars per year, according to preliminary calculations. This will entail inflationary processes in the form of rising prices for most goods and a decrease in the purchasing power of the residents of Pridnestrovie and their general well-being as a result. Let me remind you that neighboring so-called pro-European Moldova along with double payment of duties in the form of medieval tribute maintains other restrictive measures for our economy, which together harm the socio-economic situation of every resident of Pridnestrovie.
RIA News:
Will Pridnestrovian enterprises and entrepreneurs be able to work in these conditions? How much will the tax burden on economic agents increase?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
It is important to note that even before the problem of double customs duties arose, a number of large Pridnestrovian enterprises actually stopped working due to Moldova’s actions. There are problems with complete or partial blocking of export supplies in the case of five plants. The Rybnitsa cement plant is being unreasonably forced to pay unaffordable environmental fees to the Moldovan budget. There are problems with renewing licenses for importing raw materials and exporting products for a number of leading enterprises. We are talking about large industries, each of which employs hundreds and even thousands of people. This is a blow to enterprises, to workforces on forced leave, and a blow to families. The decision on duties leads to an additional financial burden on these factories and all other economic entities in Pridnestrovie, placing them in discriminatory conditions of double taxation. Moldova, which has extensive experience in its own deindustrialization, guided by inhumane politicized motives, massively violating human rights, is now trying to destroy the Pridnestrovian industry.
RIA News:
What reaction does Pridnestrovie expect from international participants in the negotiation process? Are there any answers to relevant requests from Tiraspol on this issue?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
The Moldovan side has not provided any answers so far. There is no clear reaction from other participants in the “5+2” format. We expect specific political and diplomatic actions from international representatives in the negotiation process, aimed both at restoring justice and ensuring the principles of the negotiation process and at protecting the rights and interests of residents of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic first of all.
The challenges threatening regional stability and security are increasing due to the negative approach of neighboring Moldova. Contributing to the normalization of the situation is the direct responsibility of the OSCE mission, and we count on more active activities of this mediator. Rational approaches must prevail. All participants in the process of settling relations between Pridnestrovie and Moldova will only benefit from the resumption of normal dialogue in traditional formats and from the general stabilization of the situation. This requires clear political will.
RIA News:
Will the economy of Pridnestrovie cope with such pressure from Moldova? Is support from the Russian Federation needed in this situation and in what form?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
Artificial restrictions, barriers and unreasonable extortions from the neighboring state For the Pridnestrovian economy, which is export-oriented do not pass without leaving their mark, of course. Pridnestrovian export decreased by 12% in 11 months of last year, according to statistics, and this is a direct consequence of pressure from the Republic of Moldova. However, international participants as well as Kishinev must be aware that measures of economic coercion will not lead to the political capitulation of Pridnestrovie. As for support, the Pridnestrovian people count on it very much in the current circumstances, of course.
