On July 15, 2009, a meeting took place between the PMR's Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Yastrebchak and Ambassador in Moldova Nikolaus Graf Lambsdorff.
Before the meeting with the Head of PMR Foreign Office the delegation from the Federal Republic of Germany visited a number of Pridnestrovian enterprises. According to Ambassador, the German delegation got acquainted with the difficulties which enterprises face in their work. The members of the delegation were especially astound by the situation at “Tirotex” that exports its goods to different countries, Germany included. It is known that this enterprise has to reduce its overall production because of the financial and economic crises.
Answering the question about Pridnestrovian economy, Vladimir Yastrebchak noted that the second half of 2009 would be the most difficult for the republic. During this period lower budget revenue is expected. The German representative expressed opinion that neither Tiraspol nor Kishinev could fully reckon upon assistance from Moscow and Brussels while both Russia and Europe suffer economic troubles as a result of the financial crises. At the same time the interlocutors discussed issues related to the possibility of facilitating humanitarian assistance to Pridnestrovie. Vladimir Yastrebchak informed the German Ambassador on the corresponding rules and procedures functioning in Pridnestrovie.
The German representative was also interested in the opinion of the official Tiraspol about current situation in Moldova-Pridnestrovie settlement.
The Minister considering pause in political contacts between Kishinev and Tiraspol pointed out certain activity in other spheres. In particular, the ordinary round of expert groups' work of Moldova and Pridnestrovie is coming to an end this week. According to the diplomat, such activity creates basis for restarting the “5+2” format so that the next meeting in this format should not appear to be a single one. The ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany reminded of the EU readiness to assist materially the activity of working groups as well as to provide them with support of experts.
Viewing the situation in Moldova-Pridnestrovie relations, Vladimir Yastrebchak noted preserving restrictions of PMR foreign economic activity coming from Moldova and also persecution of Pridnestrovian officials by Moldova's law-enforcement authorities. The hopes of Tiraspol for the situation to be changed are connected with the scheduled arrival of mediators and observers in September, 2009.
Touching upon the perspectives for Moldova-Pridnestrovie settlement, Vladimir Yastrebchak declared that stage-by-stage settlement should become the basic principle of this process. The first stage presupposes to solve less politicized problems with the help of international partners.
Speaking about the forthcoming elections in Moldova, Vladimir Yastrebchak expressed opinion that the Communist Party of RM would not poll fewer votes than it had been in April, 2009. This is not, however, of basic value for Tiraspol, while consolidated position of Kishinev in relation to Tiraspol is fixed in the Law of 2005. The diplomat underlined that this law cannot have any validity for Tiraspol, it allows to hold negotiations in «5+2» format only on issues of Pridnestrovian "demilitarisation" and "democratisation" but it is impossible to deal in its framework with the question of Pridnestrovian status.
During the conversation Nikolaus Graf Lambsdorff stated that he stands for resumption of the negotiation process in “5+2” format while Germany is able to influence the situation only through the EU institutions, the EU being one of the participants of this format.
