President of Pridnestrovie Yevgeny Shevchuk received a delegation headed by Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ambassador Radojko Bogojevic. Taking part in the meeting was also Deputy Chairperson of the Government of the PMR for International Cooperation, Foreign Minister of the PMR Nina Shtanski.
The focus of the dialogue was given to topical issues of the Moldova-Pridnestrovie relations. “Pridnestrovie has always supported the settlement of contentious issues at the negotiating table,” - he stressed. Yevgeny Shevchuk expressed the view that in connection with the situation in Moldova dynamics of the negotiations was seriously reduced. “However, additional problems added to the existing ones. We regularly tell international partners about our concerns. The priorities among them are the situation at the Pridnestrovian- Ukrainian border, as well as the continued practice of artificial restrictions of economic opportunities of Pridnestrovie,” - said the President.
The head of state focused on the actions of the neighboring states related to the blockade against Pridnestrovie, paying special attention to the status of Ukraine as a guarantor country in the negotiation process. “Moldova continues to create preconditions for the strangulation of Pridnestrovie. In particular, today the RM refuses to issue phytosanitary certificates to Pridnestrovian enterprises required for the transit of agricultural products to Russia through Ukraine. And Russian citizens living in the PMR are still limited in freedom of movement and cannot enter Ukraine. The economy has weakened by the politically motivated actions of Moldova and Ukraine,” - said Yevgeny Shevchuk.
The President pointed out the readiness of Pridnestrovie for a constructive dialogue, which should be based on the rejection of practices aimed at strangling the country. “Effective negotiations are impossible under economic pressure. Releasing Pridnestrovie’s economy could be a factor in ensuring the stability of the “5 + 2” format. There is need to create conditions which are conducive to the economic processes of the partners. In our opinion, this approach will help to create a platform for more complex political problems. We hope that with the support of the OSCE we will be able to discuss the accumulated problems and resolve them quickly. This will promote the welfare of the citizens living in Pridnestorvie and Moldova. Our intentions and actions are aimed at preventing war, ensuring peace,” – highlighted the head of state.
The meeting also discussed the prospects of the negotiation process. The Pridnestrovian side noted the need for serious preparation for the work in the “5 + 2” format. “First, the work of the expert groups should be activated, and then to hold a discussion of all participants of the format “5 + 2” in order to clarify the attitude of all participants to the basic documents of the negotiation process. We also support the continuation of the dialogue of political representatives in the format “1 + 1”, - he said.
The Pridnestrovian side expressed its interest in expanding trade with Ukraine, restoring traditional economic ties between states. The President also expressed hope that “new leadership of Moldova, which will soon be elected, will abandon the blockade ideology and turn to mutually constructive cooperation”. The head of state sees three principles in the basis of it: the first one - do no harm, the second – favour, the third - be a reliable partner, that is be able not only to agree, but to fulfill the agreement. “Pridnestrovie is convinced that it will allow to avoid the formation of an enemy image and to act in line with the good-neighbourly relations,” - concluded Yevgeny Shevchuk”.
Source: president.gospmr.ru
