Tiraspol, December 10. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. In an interview with the Politika Segodnya Russian portal, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PMR Vitaly Ignatiev said that Moldova's turn to the West had begun a long time ago and was not only connected with Maya Sandu`s victory in the presidential elections.
Meanwhile, as Vitaly Ignatiev recalled that we should be more broad-minded about the situation: Moldova has long been turned to the West. This is a strategic direction of the country's development for at least the last 10 years. And this is the official policy that Moldovan politicians declare in every possible way.
“This is the basic direction for Moldova, clearly enshrined in the legislation. It was consistently implemented under every President by different Government and Parliament structures... A certain apotheosis in the implementation of the pro-European vector was signing of an association agreement between Moldova and the EU in the summer of 2014. A supranational authority, the Association Council, started to function on this basis, within which the European Union not only assesses the effectiveness of the Moldovan leadership in fulfilling a set of obligations to the EU, but actually coordinates its activities,” the Minister reminded.
In his opinion, Moldova Government work plan for the next few years and the plan for the Moldova Republic national army development for 2020-2030 are very interesting in this regard. There are many interesting things in these documents. For example, the development of the provisions of the Association Agreement of Moldova with the EU, the development of a new Individual Partnership Plan with NATO, the implementation of the NATO initiative from 2015 to modernize Moldovan defense potential, etc.
As for the relations between Moldova and Russia, according to Vitaly Ignatiev, it is too early to draw conclusions. Because of the declarations of individual political leaders are not always translated in reality. But the main trends are already discernible.
“Judging by the pro-European development vector defined by Moldova many years ago, it is only logical to assume that we will continue to go our separate ways. The recently elected head of the Moldovan state has already indicated that it was primarily aimed at developing strategic cooperation with their closest neighbors: Romania and Ukraine,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs argued.
At the same time, the diplomat noted that Russia have been a strategic partner, guarantor of security and a responsible mediator in the negotiation process for Pridnestrovie over the centuries. Therefore, Vitaly Ignatiev is sure, our states will continue to develop and strengthen comprehensive cooperation.
