Of no less surprise is Mr. Kolerov's interpretation of the PMR MFA position as to the participation of Romania in Moldova-Pridnestrovie settlement negotiations. The memories of Romania's “participation” in the settlement process are still vivid in Pridnestrovie, all the more so that this issue was studied not through the stories told by “elder comrades”. That is why it was pointed out that Romania could act through the EU structures, of which it is a member, and the Pridnestrovien side does not hold any negotiations on changing the format of consultations in terms of the direct participation of Romania therein. However, Mr. Kolerov has no time to go into such nuances, as well as into the fact that the European Union is an observer in the consultative “Permanent Conference on Political Issues in the Framework of the Negotiation Process on Pridnestrovien Settlement”, rather than in the negotiation process. Quite typical, that the both issues the author of the “Stockholm Syndrome…” became so excited about were raised during the meeting of the Pridnestrovien side with the Special Representative of Ukraine for Pridnestrovien Settlement V. V. Kryzhanovskiy, that correspondents of the REGNUM News Agency were also invited to and could do it an honour by coming, and ask its participants the questions of so much concern to them, but preferred to ignore that event. As it turned out, the REGNUM News Agency so far has steered clear of receiving accreditation for journalistic activity on the territory of Pridnestrovie. This kind of approach based on unwillingness to receive first-hand information, shows that the article “Stockholm Syndrome: Regional Consequences of the “gas war” between Russia and Ukraine” has nothing in common with the principles of journalist ethics and objectivity. Most likely, this is not the aim. The main thing is to destabilize the internal political situation in Pridnestrovie, to arouse discord among the state authorities, to play vested interests, which have nothing in common with the interests of the Pridnestrovien people, on those contradictions between the branches of the authority which objectively exist in any democratic country.
The subject of Ukraine and cooperation between Ukraine and Pridnestrovie seem to be the main irritants for some persons participating in preparation of this publication. In this context, quite symptomatic is the idea that “particularly under Yastrebchak the noticeable boost of Kiev's activity in the Pridnestrovien settlement process has taken place”. Despite such a high opinion of the PMR MFA actions, the absurdity of this statement is obvious, because one could as well “accuse” Pridnestrovie in global economic problems, as well as find Pridnestrovien traces in the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. However, this kind of “trivia” is obviously of no interest to the author of the material, as well as that Vladimir Yastrebchak's first official meetings after his nomination as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of PMR took place with Russian and Abkhazian diplomats. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again reiterates that the Pridnestrovien Moldavian Republic is a sovereign, independent, and democratic state, which follows its foreign policy according to the will of people, including that expressed during the general referendum of 2006, and the principles of international law. The Pridnestrovien MFA, responsible for practical implementation of the foreign policy, will continue its efforts aimed at development of foreign policy contacts at all levels with all the international community entities, according to the spirit and the letter of the PMR Foreign Policy Concept adopted by the Supreme Council of the Pridnestrovien Moldavian Republic. The Pridnestrovien side emphasizes that the strategic choice of the Pridnestrovien people is the ultimate imperative for all the state authorities. The Russian Federation was and continues to be the main guarantor of peace and stability in the entire region. The Pridnestrovien people know perfectly well the price of genuine friendship and do not need to be taught copy-book maxims. At the same time, noone has dispensed the PMR state authorities from the responsibilities to fulfill national and public interests in cooperation with other countries and international organizations. Therefore, our cooperation with Ukraine is ongoing, as it will be – as with the neighbouring country and guarantor, which the issues of transboundary cooperation, traffic etc. depend on. We will continue the dialogue with Brussels and Washington, within the Pridnestrovien legal framework and existing international commitments of the Pridnestrovien Moldavian Republic. The Pridnestrovien MFA, following its foreign policy objectives, will take the path of open, constructive, and equal dialogue, rather than isolationism, with all the states and international organizations, standing up for the position of the Pridnestrovien Moldavian Republic as a full-fledged state on the international arena and thereby making the recognition of independence of our state closer.
Thereat, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pridnestrovien Moldavian Republic proceeds from the fact that in a democratic state all institutes, including the media, act based on the fundamental principles of democracy, rather than permissiveness, and are able to bear not only moral, but also legal responsibility for their statements and actions, all the more so if these statements have knowingly provocative and slanderous character. In this context, at the moment a form of legal reaction to the material run by the REGNUM News Agency is being considered, which is to be reported later.
