Today, upon the initiative of the British side the foreign ministry hosted a meeting of Pridnestrovie's minister, Nina Shtanski, and Director of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Directorate of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Sarah Swinford, Pridnestrovie's MFA press office reports.
Nina Shtanski noted that the ministry welcomed the commitments of foreign colleagues to receive a first-hand information about Pridnestrovie. «It is important that Great Britain is seeking for the development of direct relationship and open exchange of views," underscored the minister.
Nina Shtanski stated with regret that the situation was aggravating in Pridnestrovie. «After the blockade had been imposed in 2006, we have managed to curb the deepening of the crisis, but now we face quite new threats. On the one hand, we witness unfriendly actions by Ukraine and, on the other, tightening restrictions imposed by Moldova. And Moldova's new leverage originated from Europe. Using the new international European obligations and trade regime in the context of the so-called DCFTA, Moldova is trying to stop Pridnestrovie's foreign trade activity," said the foreign minister.
«We would like the international community to realise the risks that Pridnestrovie is facing today and that hinder a normal and pragmatic negotiating process," added Nina Shtanski.
In her turn, Sara Swinford said that during prior meetings with Moldova's representatives and the chairman of Pridnestrovie's parliament, Mikhail Burla, she had made a positive impression on the current situation both in the negotiating process and in the region as a whole. She expressed the belief that promoting inter-parliamentary dialogue created «a climate of hope». In this context she stressed her commitment to give special attention to Pridnestrovian diplomats' views on current events.
«The climate of hope has been reigning here for 25 years, but I want very much it to be replaced with a climate of confidence Of course, hope is kept because problems should be solved at the negotiating table, but unfortunately there is no confidence. The actions our negotiation partners make show the lack of interest to the dialogue. We never stop offering Moldova sound and pragmatic initiatives, which may enhance the climate of hope and strengthen or, at least, instil confidence, which is so necessary," concluded Nina Shtanski.
