On May 6, Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev received the International Committee of the Red Cross delegation led by Roman Machover. First Deputy Chairman of the Pridnestrovian Republican Bank Alexei Melnik also took part in the meeting.
The meeting was held as part of a working visit by an ICRC mission aimed at addressing the technical aspects of aid to Ukrainian refugees and residents of Pridnestrovie.
“In the current context, any assistance is appreciated. More than 30 thousand Ukrainian refugees have already arrived in Pridnestrovie. We are ready to listen to the proposals and vision of the International Committee of the Red Cross”, Foreign Minister said opening the meeting.
Vitaly Ignatiev noted that at this stage Pridnestrovie assists refugees with its own resources, and will continue to do so. 32,5 thousand refugees have entered the territory of the republic since February 24, of whom 25,8 thousand have registered for permanent residence. 1,703 people opted to stay at the accommodation centers.
As the head of the Foreign Ministry said, administrative and bureaucratic actions of the Moldovan side aimed at blocking the Pridnestrovian imports, including medicines, food, fuel and plant protection products, severely complicate the situation. Such pressure from Moldova is a major destabilizing factor which significantly impairs the humanitarian environment.
The head of the ICRC mission Roman Machover thanked for detailed updates on the current situation and noted that he understood all the concerns of the Pridnestrovian side. The primary immediate task of the International Committee of the Red Cross is to set an aid system for Ukrainian refugees and Pridnestrovian families who host them. Once the relief program is launched, the ICRC will consider ways to expand it and cover the needs of other vulnerable groups as well.
During the conversation, the parties discussed and reviewed the technical aspects of assistance.
At the end of the meeting, the interlocutors expressed hope for the continued substantive dialogue, further exchanges and the speedy resolution of problematic issues.
