Round Table in Tiraspol "Unrecognized: How to Implement the Right of People to Self-determination?"

A round table on “Unrecognized: how to implement the right of people to self-determination?” was held today within the project of the International School of Journalism of the International News Agency "Russia Today" which currently takes place in the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. The event was attended by the Co-Chairperson of the Joint Control Commission from the RF, Second Class Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Vasiliy Korchmar, Political Scientist Sergei Markedonov, Political Expert Vladimir Bruter, Branch Managers of the INA "Russia Today" in Armenia Konstantin Petrossov, as well as representatives of leading media of the CIS. The Pridnestrovian side was presented by Chairperson of the Supreme Soviet of the PMR Mikhail Burla, Deputy Foreign Minister of the PMR Vitaliy Ignatiev, Co-Chairperson of the Joint Control Commission from the PMR Oleg Belyakov and other representatives of the expert community of Pridnestrovie. The moderators of the round table were Deputy Foreign Minister of the PMR Igor Schornikov and the Head of the Country and Integration Projects Department of the INA "Russia Today" Ella Taranova.The key themes of the two-hour discussion were overcoming the blockade of Pridnestrovie, development of the domestic economy, security issues and definition of the international status of the country.While opening the round table, the project manager Ella Taranova said that it is unfair that Pridnestrovie which territory is home to about 200 thousand citizens of the Russian Federation, for so many years is still in the status of the "unrecognized state." In this regard Sergei Markedonov said that the modern system of international law has lost its effectiveness, it is confirmed by the numerous geopolitical conflicts occurring today in different parts of the world. "It is time to raise the issue of formation of a new international law, new European security arrangements, to develop new criteria for the recognition of states. And Russia should form these issues by itself on the European field, "- assured the expert. This opinion was also shared by Vasiliy Korchmar. "We are witnessing the fact that the international law is ignored, tough information war is held, power prevails in the world and Pridnestrovie i.a. is under the influence of these negative trends," - said the diplomat.Touching upon the Pridnestrovian-Moldovan relations, Vitaliy Ignatiev explained that Pridnestrovie realises the “small steps” tactics in the relations with Moldova which was initiated by the President of the PMR Yevgeny Shevchuk in 2012 and which means making progress in building climate of confidence by solving socio-economic problems which should help to improve the living conditions of people both in Pridnestrovie and Moldova. However, the Moldovan side demonstrates unwillingness to advance these important issues.Vitaliy Ignatiev drew the guests\' attention that the already difficult economic situation of the republic today has been largely intensified by the events in neighboring Ukraine and also by the new form of economic cooperation with the European Union established by Moldova, where the interests of Pridnestrovie are simply ignored. "The solution of the Pridnestrovian issue requires immediacy. We have neither time nor economic resources. We have to release Pridnestrovie from the constant economic and information pressure", - said Vitaliy Ignatiev noting that the president clearly defined the position of Pridnestrovie on the settlement of relations with the Republic of Moldova - "civilized divorce" and creation of conditions for free foreign economic activities for Pridnestrovie which is guaranteed by the Memorandum of 1997.The political expert Vladimir Bruter as one of the ways to unblock the Pridnestrovian economy sees in creating a centralized structure to insure economic and trade cooperation between Pridnestrovie and Russia in the Russian Federation. "It requires, of course, a political decision to protect the economic interests of Russian citizens living in Pridnestrovie," - said the expert. The Chairperson of the Supreme Soviet of the PMR Mikhail Burla told Russian reporters about the positive experience of the work of joint Russian-Pridnestrovian enterprises in Pridnestrovie. According to him, making investments by Russia in the development of the producing sector of Pridnestrovie, entering of domestic enterprises into large Russian corporations would open new prospects for the Pridnestrovian economy.During the discussion great attention was paid to the peacekeeping mission of the Russian Federation on the Dniester. The experts unanimously expressed their opinions on inadmissibility of its termination or transformation. Vitaliy Ignatiev noted that the experience of the Russian peacekeeping in the Pridnestrovian land is unique. "This experience that should be spoken about, shared with Europe," - he said. Sergei Markedonov noted that it is important to prevent loosening of the "status quo." "First, they consider the work of an organization, for example of the Joint Control Commission, they say afterwards that it is not effective enough. Then an attempt is made to break the existing format, for example replacement of Russian peacekeepers with the police observers, and next, armed seizure of a territory, "- the Russian expert outlined the strategy of the opponents of the peacekeeping format. Vasiliy Korchmar expressed the view that the preservation of the peacekeeping operation on the Dniester by the Russian Federation emphasizes the Russia's particular attention to developing the situation around the republic.At the end of the forum experts agreed that the Russian Federation should more consciously formulate its foreign policy interests which include also Pridnestrovie. "Russia has to respond to many challenges in the sphere of international relations, but we all expect from it not only responses, but also actions. We hope that our republic will become a platform for new Russian foreign policy initiatives, "- concluded the PMR\'s Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Schornikov.