OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier met with Chairman of the Government of the PMR Pavel Prokudin. The meeting was also attended by members of the Government of Pridnestrovie.
According to Pavel Prokudin, the sides discussed the execution of the Berlin Protocol as well as the railway blockade of Pridnestrovie, organized by Moldova and Ukraine.
“We urged to assemble an emergency meeting in the 5+2 format and, certainly, we hope that such a respected diplomat, heavyweight of the European politics would inspire our Moldovan partners to address this issue” – Pavel Prokudin commented on the results of the visit of the distinguished guest.
Head of the PMR’s MFA Vitaly Ignatiev talking to the press noted that it is unlikely to hold a 5+2 meeting in the expiring July, however, meanwhile the PMR’s MFA intends to strive for lifting of the railway blockade of Pridnestrovie using other mechanisms. “Meanwhile we will use every opportunity, including through communication between Chairman-in-Office and Moldovan partners... Mr. Steinmeier stated that he would take personal control of the (railway – editor’s note) issue” – said the diplomat.
Pavel Prokudin also added that during the meeting the parties also touched upon the problem of non-fulfillment by the Republic of Moldova of agreements reached earlier, which is why it has not been possible to definitively resolve the conflict between the parties for more than 20 years. “The first who suffer from this are common people both in Pridnestrovie and in Moldova...Mr. Steinmeier has heard me. He expressed concern that the Berlin Protocol does not work” – said the Prime Minister to the press.
The Chairman of the Government noted that at the meeting Pridnestrovie articulated its readiness to perform every word of the document signed by all members of the 5+2 in the German capital.
Vitaly Ignatiev added that the OSCE Chairman-in-Office shares this position as well. “We are totally united in our approaches, the Berlin Protocol is a relevant document and it must be fulfilled” – said the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PMR.
It should be reminded, that according to the Protocol Moldova and Pridnestrovie are to agree on mechanisms to resolve such problems as apostilization of diplomas of higher education issued by Pridnestrovian universities, participation of passenger cars registered in Pridnestrovie in international traffic.
According to Ignatiev, Pridnestrovie has concrete draft solutions for all these issues, but their implementation is hindered by aspiration of Moldova to obtain additional political dividends for the fulfillment of obligations taken in Berlin, as well as by attempts to politicize issues relating to the socio-humanitarian sphere.
Source: IA "Novosti Pridnestrovya"
