Bendery, November 19. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. A meeting of political representatives of Pridnestrovie and Moldova – the head of the PMR MFA Vitaly Ignatiev and the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova Oleg Serebryan – was held at the OSCE Mission in Bendery. This is the third meeting of political representatives this year – the last one took place on May 17. However, during this time, the problems that entail economic costs and violations of the rights of the residents of Pridnestrovie have only accumulated.
Vitaly Ignatiev recalled the Declaration of Commitment to Peaceful Methods of Resolving the Moldovan-Pridnestrovian Conflict, raised the issue of violation of the rights of Pridnestrovie residents by the Moldovan authorities, identified the problem in the mechanism of Vehicle Registration Offices and again raised the pressing issue of Chisinau's economic pressure on Pridnestrovie.
The meeting was held with the participation of representatives of mediators and observers: OSCE, Russia, Ukraine, the EU and the USA. As noted by the head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova Kelly Kaiderling, all issues and problems arising between the parties to the conflict must be resolved peacefully, while much effort and attention is required to ensure that misunderstandings do not get out of control.
The Declaration of Commitment to Peaceful Methods of Resolving the Conflict may be signed
In this regard, the head of the PMR MFA Vitaly Ignatiev recalled the initiative of Pridnestrovie to sign the Declaration of Commitment to Peaceful Methods of Resolving the Conflict, "so that relations between the parties do not go into confrontation."
"Our proposal is still relevant. I hope we can continue the discussion on the Declaration of Commitment to Peaceful Methods of Settlement. We all need this: not only the citizens of Pridnestrovie and Moldova, but also the international community," Vitaly Ignatiev emphasized.
Within a week, the Pridnestrovian side will send a new proposal for a peace declaration to the political representative of Moldova.
"If Chisinau is ready to make a compromise decision, then there is hope that this declaration can be adopted. But for now, this is extremely cautious optimism," the political representative of Pridnestrovie specified.
Pridnestrovie's economic losses continue to grow
Since the introduction of illegal customs duties (from January 1, 2024) against Pridnestrovian companies, the republic has lost more than $9.5 million, the political representative of Pridnestrovie said. Moldova took this money into its budget. Let us recall that until now, the enterprises of the PMR have never paid these duties.
"Pridnestrovie is one of the main donors of the Republic of Moldova along with the countries of the European Union. This situation is problematic, since these are the financial resources that we cannot use for social development... This is a problem that we need to solve," the head of the PMR MFA Vitaly Ignatiev said.
The head of the foreign policy department also raised the issue of stopping three large and important enterprises for the economy of Pridnestrovie - "Moldavizolit", "Elektromash", and Bendery "Potential". All goods of these enterprises are checked by a special commission in Moldova, which as a result blocks the export of plants under the pretext of allegedly dual-use goods.
"We hope to develop new mechanisms at the expert level to solve these problems without the participation of commissions in this process. As long as there are restrictions, our enterprises will not be able to operate normally," Vitaly Ignatiev noted.
Memorandum on violation of rights and freedoms of Pridnestrovians took up 11 pages
In the context of the discussion of human rights and freedoms, the Pridnestrovian delegation officially handed over to the Moldovan side a memorandum listing specific facts of violations against citizens of Pridnestrovie. The presentation took up 11 pages.
"This concerns freedom of movement, personal security, the economy, and the humanitarian sector. We hope that the Moldovan side will not only familiarize itself with this document, but also with the content of these problems... we will be able to work on these problems in order to neutralize these restrictions," Vitaly Ignatiev said.
Independent experts may be invited again to the banking problem
Pridnestrovian enterprises have been facing banking restrictions from Moldova since 2019: the Central Bank of the Republic of Moldova blocked accounts and refuses to open new ones. The experts invited by the OSCE concluded that there are no problems related to European financial standards and recommended resuming interbank cooperation. However, Chisinau ignored these recommendations and continues the banking blockade, causing significant economic damage to Pridnestrovie.
Today, Pridnestrovie proposed inviting independent experts again to resolve the banking problem.
"If the OSCE has the resources and intentions, then perhaps we will see dynamic expert work with the invitation of independent specialists in the banking sector," the head of the PMR MFA Vitaly Ignatiev said following the meeting of political representatives.
Vehicle Registration Offices – problems in the mechanism
Since August, the work of Vehicle Registration Offices has resumed, but the vehicle registration mechanism is still not fully operational: Chisinau does not register vehicles imported after 2018, and only 1,500 motorists have been able to register in three months.
At this rate, it will take more than 10 years for everyone who wants neutral numbers to receive them, said Vitaly Ignatiev, head of the Pridnestrovian Foreign Ministry, at a meeting of political representatives. There are more than 100 thousand cars in the republic.
"We know that the Moldovan side plans to limit the work of the Vehicle Registration Offices to certain deadlines. This contradicts our agreements. There can be no artificial restrictions on this mechanism, like any other," Vitaly Ignatiev emphasized.
Vice Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova Oleg Serebryan expressed hope that these issues will be resolved by the end of this year.
"We will consider the issue of what to do with cars brought in after September 1, 2018," the Moldovan political representative concluded.
There is no alternative to the international "5+2" format
The head of the PMR Foreign Ministry, Vitaly Ignatiev, is sure of this.
"There are reasons why it is advantageous for the Moldovan side to look for certain arguments not to hold meetings. Perhaps next year we will see some progress. I expect that the new current OSCE chairmanship, Finland, will also have some plans. There is no alternative to the format. If we really want to work and not speculate, then we need to sit down at the negotiating table. The sooner, the better," the political representative of Pridnestrovie told journalists.
Following the meeting, it was decided to convene three expert groups, they will be devoted to the economy, agricultural issues and the work of the Vehicle Registration Offices.
