On 23 May 2006 in Moscow a working meeting was held between Vice-Chairman of the Cabinet of the Russian Federation A.D. Zhukov and President of Transdniestria I.N. Smirnov. 1. Discussion of cooperation in economic, scientific and technical, and cultural areas exposed understanding of importance of exercising by Transdniestria its right to independently establish and maintain international contacts in economic, scientific-technical and cultural areas laid down in the 8 May 1997 Memorandum on the Bases for Normalization of Relations Between the Republic of Moldova and Transdniestria.
In this context, the Russian side reaffirmed commitment of the Russian Federation as the guarantor-country and the mediator to continue its efforts aimed at lasting and comprehensive normalization of relations between the Republic of Moldova and Transdniestria. 2. Taking into account earlier agreements, in view of further development of traditional mutually beneficial economic ties, as well as building favorable environment for cooperation between business communities, the decision has been taken to:
- continue the commercial and economic cooperation through direct interaction between Russian and Transdniestrian economic agents on the basis of relevant contracts;
- ensure ownership protection for juridical and natural persons;
- promote contacts between constituent entities of the Russian Federation and Transdniestria in all areas of mutual interest;
- promote contacts in industry; energy sector, including power supplies; agriculture; construction; in transport, connections and telecommunication sector; technical regulations and conformity assessment; in environment protection and other areas. 3. The cooperation shall be carried out by means of:
- production cooperation;
- drawing investments, including those related to energy sector and telecommunications systems;
- involvement of Russian business in the privatization;
- design, construction and modernization of business facilities;
- rendering technical and consulting cervices;
- exchange of specialists and technical personnel, training, and advanced training of cadres;
- data exchange on customs and commercial documents, as well as certificates accompanying cargoes;
- organizing and holding exhibitions and trade fairs;
- consulting on tax, monetary, trade, customs, and tariff policies;
- consulting on legislative harmonization, legal framework improvement in foreign economic sphere and other areas of prime interest for Transdniestria, taking into account the CIS contractual legal framework;
- involvement in cargo and passenger transportation development;
- other forms of cooperation. 4. Adequate measures shall be taken to:
- promote effective development of payment and settlement relations in mutual trade of goods or services;
- encourage in every possible way and develop contacts through the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation and other business associations. 5. In humanitarian sphere the sides have decided to:
- strengthen cultural ties, encourage exchanges, including on the regional level, between creative collectives, organizations of men of letters and artists, to host art festivals and exhibitions;
- develop cooperation in educational, scientific, and technical spheres, as well as in training, and developing direct contacts between educational and scientific institutions;
- promote in every possible way cooperation in health care, social protection and basic pension security, as well as youth, sports, and tourist policies. 6. Pending lasting and comprehensive normalization of relations between the Republic of Moldova and Transdniestria, the Russian Federation as the mediator and the guarantor-country in the settlement process, aware of its responsibility for ensuring civil peace, interethnic harmony, maintaining socio-economic stability, observing human rights, and strengthening security in this region of Europe, has reaffirmed its readiness, in case of developments inhibiting Transdniestrian rights laid down in the 8 May 1997 Memorandum on the Bases for Normalization of Relations Between the Republic of Moldova and Transdniestria, to take practical steps to ensure implementation of provisions of the document, use mechanisms of consultations and to take measures needed to reestablish the mechanism of their implementation. 7. Russian federal executive authorities concerned and responsible Transdniestrian authorities shall conclude interagency agreements on cooperation. Vice-Chairman of the Russian Cabinet President of Transdniestria A.D. Zhukov I.N. Smirnov
In the framework of the visit of President of the Transdniestrian Republic to the capital of the Russian Federation Moscow, a working meeting was held between I. Smirnov and Vice-Chairman of the Russian Cabinet A. Zhukov.From the Russian side the meeting also saw participation of executives of the Cabinet and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, from the Transdniestrian side – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Transdniestrian Republic V. Litskai.
The meeting marked the beginning of a new stage of the dynamically developing mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and Transdniestria, and became a significant landmark in the history of our strategic partnership.At the meeting, the Transdniestrian side expressed its gratitude for the active and consistent position taken by the leadership of the Russian Federation as to meeting its commitments as the guarantor country in the settlement between Moldova and Transdniestria, protection of rights of Transdniestrians to free labour, adequate standard of living, and freedom of movement. President of the Transdniestrian Republic stressed that practical steps aimed at filling with real contents the 1997 Moscow Memorandum would have a positive impact on the settlement process between Moldova and Transdniestria as a whole.
High representatives from Russia and Transdniestria discussed the current situation and prospects of bilateral relations in various areas – socio-economic, scientific-technical, cultural, and others. Specifically, particular attention was paid to the issue of reestablishing the railway communication between Russia and Transdniestria disrupted by the Republic of Moldova; development of banking contacts, medical supplies to Transdniestria, maintaining the common educational space, development of the energy component of the Russian-Transdniestrian relations, and other topical issues on the agenda.
The Russian side reaffirmed its readiness to take further steps aimed at practical implementation of earlier agreements and support for Transdniestrian people in upholding their inalienable rights.The sides agreed that development of bilateral cooperation is undoubtedly what the economic agents and citizens of the Russian Federation and Transdniestria are interested in.
The meeting was held in the atmosphere of mutual confidence and respect, awareness of common challenges the Sides are facing.
The meeting resulted in signing a protocol, which, as the Sides see it, will be a “road map” for the Russian-Transdniestrian cooperation and will allow to establish a firm basis for enhancing and developing contacts between Russia and Transdniestria at all levels.
