During his working trip to the capital of the Russian Federation, being a part of Pridnestrovian delegation, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PMR, Vitaly Ignatiev participated in a roundtable to discuss "Interaction in supporting compatriots, protecting the rights of Russian citizens living in Pridnestrovie: parliamentary dimension." The event took place in the State Duma, at the site of the Committee for CIS Affairs, Relations with Compatriots and Eurasian Integration.
Within the roundtable framework, Vitaly Ignatiev delivered a report dedicated to the state of Moldovan-Pridnestrovian negotiation process and its impact on protection of rights and interests of Russian citizens and compatriots living in Pridnestrovie, and dedicated as well to prospects for strengthening Russian-Pridnestrovian interaction.
According to him, the thirty-year experience of Pridnestrovie’s independent development has convincingly shown that despite various vicissitudes the republic remains a reliable partner for the Russian Federation. It does openly and unswervingly follow the people's choice to build an independent state and keep its strategic orientation towards a maximum rapprochement with Russia. “Surrounded by pro-European countries, Pridnestrovie does not hide its identity code which is complimentary to the Russian world,” the Minister noted.
At the same time, the diplomat stressed that the Pridnestrovian state is forced to develop within Moldovan system policy conditions that are aimed at limiting Pridnestrovie’s viability and economic potential when imposing transport, trade and banking blockade. The head of the PMR Foreign Ministry made a special emphasis on the fact that the coronavirus pandemic has become an additional factor that Chisinau is using to increase both: as the widespread pressure on Pridnestrovie, as attacks on the least protected segments of its population.
Along with, Vitaly Ignatiev noted the ongoing crisis in the negotiation process that resulted when " the Moldovan authorities totally refused fulfilling the previously signed agreements and chose returning to restrictions, pressure and threats against Pridnestrovie." “The participation of Pridnestrovian cars in the international road traffic is not ensured, the problems of criminal cases, telecommunication and banking restrictions lifting have not yet been resolved. It should be said that Moldova also refuses discussing the system of guarantees for reached agreements that the Russian side proposed using,” the Head of the Foreign Ministry told.
The Minister outlined the risks that would cause as the announced ban on entry (starting with September 1 current year) to Ukraine for vehicles with Pridnestrovian license plates, as the implementation of the so-called "Second Phase" of the Joint Republic of Moldova and Ukraine’s Customs and Border Control at the "Kuchurgany" checkpoint. He also drew the roundtable participants’ attention to the systematic actions of the Moldovan side aimed at destabilizing the peacekeeping mission on the Dniester and blocking the work of its governing bodies.
“The negative baggage of problems I have voiced today does not only persist, it is also getting aggravated, since it exacerbates the threat to the rights and interests of Russian citizens and compatriots living in Pridnestrovie,” the diplomat said. In his opinion, the current situation requires creating mechanisms for direct Russian-Pridnestrovian interaction that would be adapted to new realities. In this context, from the Pridnestrovian side, he presented a number of practical proposals on enhancing interdepartmental contacts, bilateral political-diplomatic, socio-economic and trade cooperation.
Existing possibilities in terms of supporting the peacekeeping operation on the Dniester, just as a set of measures aimed at protecting the rights and interests of the Pridnestrovian population were separately touched upon. It was additionally noted the need for a prompt resumption of all forms of consular services for Russian citizens on the territory of Pridnestrovie.
“This is just a short list of fairly simple and understandable humanitarian decisions, implementing which will immediately give a tangible effect and will strengthen Russia's position within protecting the rights of its citizens and within the entire process of resolving the Moldovan-Pridnestrovian conflict,” the diplomat concluded.
Photo: the press service of the Supreme Council of the PMR
