Acting Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev had a meeting with the delegation of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation consisting of member of the Committee of the Federation Council of the FA of the RF for International Affairs Olga Timofeeva, member of the Committee of the Federation Council of the FA of the RF for Social Policy Viktor Abramov, and chief consultant in the Office of the Committee of the Federation Council of the FA of the RF for Foreign Affairs Mikhail Sinitsyn. From the Pridnestrovian side the meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PMR Igor Shornikov and Dmitry Palamarchuk.
Welcoming the guests Vitaly Ignatiev said that the Pridnestrovian-Russian relations are characterized by a high level of trust and mutual understanding. “We are pleased that, despite the obstacles put up by the Republic of Moldova and uncivilized attempts to restrict international contacts of Pridnestrovie, representatives of the Federation Council, State Duma and other representatives of Russia have managed to arrive in the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic and to participate in monitoring the elections to the Supreme Council and Local Councils at all levels,” - said the head of the Foreign Ministry.
“For our country free expression of the will and adherence to democratic principles, all international standards in terms of election campaigns are one of the foundations and the core of the Pridnestrovian statehood,” - said Vitaly Ignatiev.
Viktor Abramov, in his turn, noted that Russia is certainly interested in the fact that Russian compatriots have been supported by the Russian Federation, the Russian-speaking people live freely without infringing their rights. “In this case, the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic went the right way. Yesterday we were at the polling stations, and every information was provided in three languages to citizens in order not to infringe on other nationalities who live here”, - said the high guest.
During the meeting, Vitaly Ignatiev told the Russian side about the economic situation in the republic, especially noting the blockade actions of Moldova and Ukraine, conducted simultaneously against Pridnestrovie since 2006 and especially increased in 2014.
The Head of the Ministry also drew attention that currently politically motivated criminal cases are initiated against the citizens of Pridnestrovie in Moldova, which has direct negative effects on the lives of citizens and in general the atmosphere of trust between the parties. He also reminded that the Pridnestrovian militiaman Maksim Kuzmichev, arrested on July 20, 2015, is still under arrest in the city of Athens.
During the meeting, Vitaly Ignatiev also said that another discriminatory step taken against Pridnestrovie by the neighbouring countries was the signing by Moldova and Ukraine the Protocol on the joint customs and border controls on the Ukrainian-Pridnestrovian state border at the checkpoint “Kuchurgan”. The diplomat highlighted that the practical implementation of this agreement will result for Pridnestrovie’s economic agents in triple customs and border control. He noted that this action is aimed at establishing full control over export-import operations of the republic and organizing a full-scale economic blockade against Pridnestrovie.
At the end of the meeting the sides discussed aspects of bilateral cooperation in the framework of the relevant work of the Committees of the Federation Council of the RF for International Affairs and Social Policy. The sides agreed to continue constructive engagement on topical issues.
