Today a plenary session of the Public Chamber of Pridnestrovie took place in Tiraspol. It was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister of the PMR Vitaly Ignatiev.
Address of the Public Chamber of the PMR based on the applications from Russian and Ukrainian nationals residing in Pridnestrovie concerning violation of their right to free movement was one of the items on the agenda. Head of the Working Group on International Cooperation and Public Diplomacy Yuriy Cheban spoke on this initiative. He turned attention of the civil society of the Republic to systematic violations of civil rights of Russian and Ukrainian nationals residing in Pridnestrovie by Moldovan officials while crossing the border of the RM. Yuriy Cheban expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PMR for assistance in drafting the address of the Public Chamber of the PMR to the guarantors – Russia and Ukraine – concerning resolution of the above issue.
Addressing to the members of the Public Chamber, Vitaly Ignatiev noted, “This issue is complex. It refers not only to the administrative prosecution of our citizens, it applies to the issue of freedom of movement of citizens who can enter by road, rail or by air neither Ukraine nor the European Union across the border of Moldova.”
Vitaly Ignatiev also informed the Public Chamber on efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PMR made in this sphere. Since 2012, the issues of freedom of movement have been actively promoted by the Pridnestrovian side in the course of negotiations with the Republic of Moldova including the “5 +2” format. Particular attention was paid to this issue during the regular round of talks in Lvov. Foreign Ministry will continue active efforts in this direction in view of particular importance of settlement of this issue for population.
The diplomat stressed also that this issue was included in the agenda of meetings with European human rights experts, such as Thomas Hammarberg, the UN Senior Expert on Human Rights in Pridnestrovie and Nils Muiznieks, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. Relevant detailed information was sent them.
Deputy Foreign Minister of the PMR highly appreciated the potential of the Pridnestrovian Public Chamber in public diplomacy and urged members to establish active cooperation with the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation and with corresponding institutions in Ukraine.
Besides, Vital Ignatiev expressed his hope for a rapid response and personal commitment of each member of the Public Chamber of the PMR in the ongoing development of the Pridnestrovian society including public support for the peacekeeping operation of the Russian Federation and implementation of the Eurasian integration of Pridnestrovie.
