Pridnestrovien conflict has over twenty years of history. Armed confrontation between Moldavia and Pridnestrovie was stopped owing to the help of the RF. Russia continues to provide security of the population in the conflict zone. During the interview to GTimes Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pridnestrovie Nina Shtanski told about the relations between Moscow and the PMR.
- Could You make a forecast of development of relations with Moscow in connection with election of Vladimir Putin as the President of the RF?
- Russia is a guarantor state in Pridnestrovien settlement. Under the aegis of this country the most efficient peacekeeping operation on post-Soviet territory has been held almost for twenty years. Russia has been supporting compatriots for many years. Russian elections always were among significant events for the Pridnestroviens. This year elections were attended by more than 50, 000 Pridnestrovien Russians, more that 80 percent supported Putin.
By the way, more than one third of our people are ethnic Russians. According to various data, from 150, 000 to 170, 000 Pridnestroviens have Russian citizenship; in whole the population of the Republic identifies itself with Russian compatriots. The experts noted, that Putin's politics in respect of compatriots was the main factor, which favored their choice during the voting. We are sure, that relations with Russia will continue their development in positive manner.
- Everybody knows, that Evgeniy Shevchuk was not “Kremlin's candidate” on Presidential elections. Will it affect the relations with the RF?
- Do you remember classical “Was there a boy?” Such mentioning comes to mind in our case. “Kremlin's candidate” – this sounds very loudly. Official Kremlin did not proclaim one or another candidacy as its' creature. Did it exist? Or one of the candidates simply adroitly used his connections in Moscow? Let political technologists search the answers for these riddles. There were different talks; certain statements of some politicians were voiced. This was widely and rather manufacturably used by local election staffs, but Kremlin always practiced consecutive and balanced politics in respect of Pridnestrovie and did not interfere in the choice of Pridnestrovien people.
On the ceremony of inauguration of the President of the PMR the congratulation of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, which emphasized that in future activity directed on solving of complicated problems of the region, provision of security and rallying of society, he may rely on friendly assistance and cooperation, was voiced.
- Is it possible that official Moscow will decide to recognize the sovereignty of Pridnestrovie in future?
- I think the answer on this question can be given in Moscow.
- What is Your opinion on the validity of the thesis that Russia is more interested now in such way of Pridnestrovien settlement that will de-facto cut down the sovereignty of the Republic?
- As I have already mentioned, there are Russian citizens in Pridnestrovie. I am sure that this factor combined with the role and responsibility, which Russia is entrusted with as a peacekeeper and guarantor State, is decisive for its' policy in Moldova-Pridnestrovien settlement.
- How did the recent meeting in Dublin pass? In what mood did You return home?
- In Dublin we continued consultations and the discussion of the document on the principles and procedures of the negotiations in the 5+2 format. Unfortunately, we did not manage to reduce to common denominator because Moldovan side refused to fix the principle of the equality of sides during negotiations. The participants of the negotiations offered different variants of this formula, but, nevertheless, Moldovan side did not agree to put in this mainframe principle. Without it, alas, the further work on the agenda was blocked. I hope, we will continue the search of the mutually acceptable formula in Vienna in April. It is very important for us, because we need negotiations to solve the questions which sides are not capable to solve unilaterally. For this very reason, in order to solve the existing problems and not in order to compete in strength of our position, we need partnership dialogue. In spite of this difficulty, we managed to reach some progress. In particular, we committed ourselves to consider the existing agreements while working out new documents and we pledge to fulfill in good faith all the existing agreements and some other principles. Besides, Pridnestrovien side made several proposals on the formation of the agenda of the negotiations which urge to solve several strategic goals. On the one hand, these proposals shall contribute to the solution of problems in social and economic sphere, thus making the conditions for citizens on both banks of the Dniester easier. On the other hand, they will help to create firm territory for negotiation where the interests of the sides will intersect.
We also suggested that the work of expert groups be synchronized with the negotiations in the 5+2 format. I shall clarify it for your readers. In the situation when official negotiations between Tiraspol and Kishinev were terminated and political consultations at the level of official diplomacy subsequently took a break as well, we managed to carry out the dialogue only at the level of interdepartmental interaction which eventually institutionalized in “expert groups”. Experts-representatives of the ministries and institutions of Pridnestrovie and Moldova met to discuss problematic areas in bilateral format. This included education, medicine, railway communication and a number of others. Unfortunately, the work was of low intensity. And today we suggest that this very helpful format be not only preserved but also stabilized and disciplined, being made accountable to and controllable by the negotiation diplomatic format.
-What are tendencies within relations between Pridnestrovie and the EU countries?
- The European Union is increasingly involved in various processes in the Republic of Moldova.
It's not a secret that today the amount of assistance rendered to Moldova by the EU is larger only than the amount rendered to Pakistan. Even under the previous leadership of the Republic (under I. Smirnov) the EU implemented a series of costly and very important projects in the sphere of healthcare on the territory of Pridnestrovie. Today, a number of new initiatives on implementation of projects in the field of education, healthcare, and solution of infrastructure problems are put forward. Currently these initiatives are under examination, and talks are carried out. Moreover, the EU is an observer in negotiations which in many ways makes it possible to avoid emergence and multiple replications of myths and horror stories about Pridnestrovie. We highly appreciate this. The Europeans have more possibilities to see and understand how and what is life in Pridnestrovie and not to perceive us as one of the major security threats on the EU borders as it was like some time ago. The growing poverty is our common with Moldova disease, and it bears no less peril than non-settlement of the conflict. Apart from that, both in Moldova and Pridnestrovie a new generation of people has grown over 20 years who were born already after the armed conflict, and their opinion should be considered.
- Insofar do You think the foreign political course of Your forerunners was successful?
- Both of my forerunners served in very difficult conditions which are, alas, not easier even today. Their experience and contribution to the development of the Pridnestrovien diplomatic service is of great value to me. Today, together with these respected diplomats I am a member of the Advisory Council on International Affairs established recently by the President of the PMR. I hope this new platform will enable fruitful interaction and exchange of experience and views between us.
Interview by Anton Krivenyuk
See original material at http://www.georgiatimes.info/articles/72981.html
