The OSCE Mission office in Tiraspol, in the presence of representatives of mediators and observers, held a meeting of expert (working) groups on economic issues with the participation of political representatives Vitaly point of responsibility Ignatiev and Oleg Serebrian.
The experts mainly focused on the current situation in the energy sector caused by the deficit of gas supply. Deputy Chairman of the PMR Government – Minister of Economic Development, head of the expert group from Pridnestrovie Sergey Obolonik updated the Moldovan delegation on the current situation of gas consumption in Pridnestrovie and the implemented saving measures, first of all, reduction of industrial production in order to provide household consumers on a priority basis.
It was stressed that redistributing available proceeds of guaranteed gas volumes in order to reduce consumption in Pridnestrovie is inadmissible. It was also noted that economically feasible and reliable operation of MGRES requires increased supplies of raw materials – a point of the Moldovan side’s responsibility as a party to the negotiations with PJSC Gazprom. Pridnestrovian representatives called upon their Moldovan counterparts to step up a negotiating dialogue with PJSC Gazprom’s senior management to resolve the ongoing situation.
Vitaly Ignatiev mentioned a number of restrictions imposed by the Moldovan side in recent years that hindered normal production activities in the energy sector, including obstacles in delivering equipment for the MGRES needs and abrasive powder for Tiraspoltransgaz-Pridnestrovie LLC.
The pressure from the Republic of Moldova on the Pridnestrovian industry and foreign economic activity was an important topic of today’s dialogue. In particular, unacceptability of dubious environmental requirements under the pretext of curbing production activities of the Moldovan metallurgical plant was emphasized.
The issue of importing medicines and foodstuffs into Pridnestrovie was also brought to discussion. In particular, it was reported that a batch of Russian-grown buckwheat had been allowed, and the problem was settled.
The implementation of the Moldova-proposed mechanism for the import of life-saving socially important medicines to Pridnestrovie previously agreed by experts is still sabotaged by the Moldovan side. In this regard, a decision was made to convene a meeting of expert (working) groups on health issues on short notice.
Upon the Pridnestrovian side’s initiative, the issue of the banking blockade of Pridnestrovie was raised. So far, neither the Moldovan side’s commitments nor the international partners’ recommendations in this area have been implemented. The sides agreed to arrange a meeting of subgroups on banking cooperation in November to define steps towards the fulfillment of Moldova’s obligations.
