The PMR’s MFA hosted a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PMR Vitaly Ignatiev and the Council of Europe delegation headed by the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Moldova Jose Luis Herrero. The visit of the delegation consisting of CE experts in the field of education has its goal to analyze the approaches and mechanisms to ensure equal access to different languages learning and functioning of the educational system of Pridnestrovie as a whole. From the Pridnestrovian side the meeting was also attended by Acting Deputy Minister of Education of the PMR Irina Shvedul.
During the meeting, the Pridnestrovian side submitted extensive information on the current regulatory framework in this area, in particular, regulatory aspects of learning of PMR’s official and foreign languages in educational institutions of the Republic. During the conversation it was noted that to date the right to education in native language is fully guaranteed, as well as the opportunity to learn foreign languages at the choice of students.
As part of the conversation Vitaly Ignatiev expressed gratitude to the Council of Europe for interest to Pridnestrovie and desire to study the situation in the sphere of education. “As you know, the sphere of education is one of sensitive issues in the negotiation process with the Republic of Moldova. In our view, it is politicized deliberately by the Moldovan side and is used as a factor of putting pressure on Pridnestrovie. That is why we are interested in the most transparent discussions on this issue” – said the Head of the Foreign Ministry.
The diplomat drew attention to the situation regarding the apostille of Pridnestrovian diplomas of higher education in Moldova for their subsequent use in employment and training abroad. Vitaly Ignatiev said that the settlement of this problem, which the parties committed themselves to resolve in the framework of the Berlin Protocol, is hampered by lack of readiness of the representatives of the Republic of Moldova. According to the Foreign Minister of the PMR, the politicization of education issues by the Moldovan side has nothing to do with the desire to ensure the rights of Pridnestrovian students, but only demonstrates the unreadiness of Moldova to conduct a substantive and civilized dialogue.
At the end of the meeting the sides agreed to continue cooperation on issues of mutual interest.
