Today a round table on Interparliamentary Dialogue Towards Maintaining Peace and Stability on the Banks of the Dniester River took place on the platform of the Committee for International Affairs of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation via videoconference.
The Russian side was represented by Grigory Karasin, Chairman of the Federation Council Committee for International Affairs, First Deputy Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Committee Vladimir Dzhabarov and Farit Mukhametshin, member of the Defense and Security Committee Sergey Kolbin, as well as Alexander Brod, member of the Presidential Council for Civil Society Development and Human Rights. Pridnestrovie was represented by Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev, the leadership and deputies of the Supreme Council, plenipotentiary representative of the PMR Supreme Council in the Russian Federation on interparliamentary cooperation Olga Gukalenko and others.
Opening the event, Grigory Karasin said that Russia was concerned about the deteriorating situation around Pridnestrovie. He particularly noted the stagnation of the negotiation process and attempts to distort the internationally recognized platform of the Permanent Conference. “We stand for the resumption of the 5+2 format rhythmic work once appropriate conditions are in place. It still has the potential to help resolve current issues of interaction between the parties and to implement agreements already reached,” the Senator said.
Supreme Council Chairman Alexander Korshunov and Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev provided a detailed overview of the situation in Pridnestrovie focusing on current challenges and risks. In particular, the PMR Foreign Minister noted that the strategic position of the PMR is deteriorating because of a number of destructive factors tending towards aggravation. He drew special attention to the terrorist threat connected with the attempted terrorist acts against the leadership and residents of the republic, as well as the OSCE delegation.
Among other negative factors, the diplomat named the degradation of the negotiation process which “has taken on alarming proportions” in 2022-2023. According to him, Moldova fundamentally ignores proposals to organize meetings at the level of the parties’ leadership, imitates the work of the meetings of expert groups and political representatives, declares the impossibility of holding a round in the 5+2 format, thus deliberately deadlocking the dialogue. Moreover, Chisinau has openly admitted its refusal to fulfill the previously signed agreements, in parallel increasing its pressure on Pridnestrovie, including by introducing repressive articles about “separatism” into its own criminal code.
Vitaly Ignatiev also pointed to the militarization processes in Moldova and the destruction by the neighboring state of historical, economic, cultural and other ties with Russia, coupled with the moves to eliminate any elements of Russian presence in the region.
According to the Minister, all these factors require a coordinated strategic line between Russia and Pridnestrovie to ensure the interests and security of the Pridnestrovian population. “In this context, we consider timely the changes at the doctrinal level related to the adoption of the new Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation. We believe that the clause about Russia supporting its allies and partners in promoting common interests, ensuring their security and sustainable development regardless of their international recognition is especially important,” the diplomat said recalling that Russia and Pridnestrovie have accumulated a substantial set of about 80 bilateral agreements in various fields. He concluded his speech with a number of practical proposals regarding the joint protection of the rights and interests of Russian citizens and compatriots in Pridnestrovie.
During the round table, participants exchanged views on possible forms of socio-humanitarian and economic support for the Pridnestrovian population, including the prospects for a number of targeted programs, enhanced bilateral cooperation, and continued historical, cultural and educational ties.
Separately, the need to continue the peacekeeping operation on the Dniester was emphasized. “We are convinced that in the current conditions, the peacekeeping contingent in Pridnestrovie is a guarantor of security and stability in the region. It cannot be arbitrarily replaced by any alternative formats, especially if there is no progress in the negotiation process on the conflict settlement,” Kolbin said.
Closing the round table, Grigory Karasin stressed that Russia will continue to closely monitor the situation in Pridnestrovie while making efforts to restore the dialogue in the framework of the Moldova-Pridnestrovie settlement. He also said that all the proposals and initiatives voiced during the event will be structured and sent to the competent bodies of the Russian Federation for further practical elaboration.
Image: Press Service of the Federation Council
