The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PMR hosted Public-Expert Council under Pridnestrovian MFA with focus on current situation in the Security Zone. The forum saw participation of representatives of state authorities, local government, heads of state administrations of Bendery and Dubossary district and Dubossary city, Joint Control Commission, Public Chamber, and public organizations of Pridnestrovie. Foreign office was represented by Deputies Foreign Minister of the PMR Vitaly Ignatiev and Igor Shornikov.
In view of increasing number of armed representatives of security agencies of the Republic of Moldova in the Security Zone and concern of the civil population of Bendery, Pridnestrovian MFA came forward with an initiative to discuss current situation at the round table involving experts and representatives of public organizations. Within the forum interlocutors expressed opinion that such actions are a provocation on the part of the Moldovan leadership and an attempt to destabilize situation on the Dniester.
ЭExperts stressed importance of a diplomatic approach to the settlement of this situation, pointing out active assistance of the foreign political agency of Pridnestrovie in establishing constructive dialogue with Moldovan partners. “At this point correct actions and their coherence are very important to preserve peace and stability, primarily in the Security Zone of the Moldo-Pridnestrovian conflict,” Vitaly Ignatiev told.
Representatives of public organizations of Bendery expressed intention to continue discussion with the civil society of both the city and the republic. In the course of the meeting, the need to hold round tables was noted to enable expression of the position of the Pridnestrovian society willing not to allow destabilization in the Security Zone.
Representatives of the public anxiously received the statement made by the Republic of Moldova about intention to establish 6 migration posts on the border with the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic this May. According to citizens of Pridnestrovie, these actions significantly complicate procedure of border-crossing especially during May and religious holidays. “We saw escalation of tension in the Security Zone; the next step was statement of the Moldovan side about changing of regime on the border with Pridnestrovie. These actions were made also in a unilateral way. In our opinion, any unilateral steps in the conditions of conflict settlement process are destructive and inadmissible,” Vitaly Ignatiev stressed.
Participants of the meeting made a number of proposals and expressed intention to continue joint work aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the Security Zone. Summing up the meeting, Vitaly Ignatiev stated, “We have learnt a wide range of opinions. In all of them we heard an appeal to operate more actively. The number of concrete proposals was also voiced. Foreign Ministry will seek possibilities for their realization. It is important to combine efforts in working towards stabilization of the situation in the Security Zone”.
