Today, the reporting panel meeting to review the Foreign Ministry’s work in 2024 took place. The event was attended by President Vadim Krasnoselsky, the leadership of the Supreme Council and Government, heads of ministries and agencies of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia, Akhsar Dzhioev, representatives of the Russian Federation’s Embassy, and other participants.
In his report, Vitaly Ignatiev stated that in recent years Pridnestrovie has faced a unique challenge formed by a combination of three external factors that have now reached an unprecedented level. The first factor is global and regional instability, resulting from the deep crisis in the modern international relations system and the ongoing reconstruction of the world.
The second factor is the artificial ‘coma’ of the negotiation process, primarily caused by Moldova’s refusal to use diplomatic methods to resolve issues. The Minister expressed confusion over the stance of some external participants in the settlement process, who ‘have been indifferently watching for years Chisinau completely disrupting all agreements’, including the 2016-2018 package of agreements. They ignore Pridnestrovian initiatives to restore and revitalize the dialogue and fail to notice Moldova’s actions that grossly undermine the economic foundation of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, violating free trade norms and EU regulations.
The third factor, according to the head of the PMR Foreign Affairs, is the blockade and restrictive measures imposed by neighboring Moldova, accompanied by widespread human rights violations. “Undoubtedly, the humanitarian and energy crisis has become the apex of the cumulative, long-term pressure on Pridnestrovie. The timeline of the crisis’s development shows that Chisinau deliberately used this factor to inflict maximum possible damage on the republic and our citizens”, the Minister said.
He recalled Pridnestrovie’s initiative to send a joint appeal calling for the continuation of Russian gas transit, noting that the Moldovan side not only rejected it but also launched an information campaign to discredit Russia and the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic while resorting to primitive fearmongering. As part of this campaign, statements by Moldovan officials were deliberately inhumane in nature.
“Pridnestrovie has successfully passed another stress test, gained valuable experience, secured the support of healthy forces, and remained committed to its strategic goals and identity. I believe many were surprised by the unique level of national unity, the society’s resilience, and the vitality of our republic’s state mechanisms”, the Minister stated.
According to Vitaly Ignatiev, under Moldova’s inhumane approaches, the Foreign Ministry will continue to draw the international community’s attention to the need to honor human rights and work to overcome stagnation in the negotiation process. He also highlighted Russia’s ongoing support in resuming the full functioning of the “5+2” format, as well as in protecting the peacekeeping operation.
“The period of transformation in the international relations system is always the most challenging historical moment, but it is also a time of unique opportunities. It is under such conditions – when yesterday’s foundation is gone and the new one is still being built – that unity and consolidation are more important than ever for the Pridnestrovians and state. Our freedom, our rights, our language, history, culture, and traditions – this collective identity – л is the foundation that will help us weather the geopolitical storm. It will allow us to preserve ourselves and secure a worthy place in the new configuration of international relations”, concluded the Foreign Minister.
The Russian Federation’s Co-Chair of the Joint Control Commission, Alexander Andreev, read a statement from the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia, Oleg Ozerov, who highlighted the high level of coordination and the trusting nature of the established bilateral relations, which were confirmed during the acute phase of the energy crisis.
A welcoming address to the participants of the event was also sent by Vitaly Tryapitsyn, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry: “Amid the increasingly complex pan-European and regional situation, the Foreign Ministry of Pridnestrovie is effectively defending the interests of the republic and the entire multiethnic Pridnestrovian people. Thanks largely to your tireless and highly professional efforts, peace and stability are maintained on the Dniester, vital issues of Pridnestrovie’s energy and economic stability are being resolved, and dialogue within the Pridnestrovian settlement process is preserved”.
Akhsar Dzhioev pointed to the serious challenges Pridnestrovie is facing today, reaffirming the Republic of South Ossetia’s consistent commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
The Head of the Official Representation of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic in Russia, Leonid Manakov, provided a detailed account of the overseas office’s activities in establishing contacts with Russian partners and supporting Pridnestrovian compatriots in the Russian Federation.
In his speech, Vadim Krasnoselsky emphasized the need for dialogue and the search for mutually acceptable compromises. In this context, he highlighted the importance of the “5+2” format as an effective tool in which “many issues were genuinely resolved” and called for every effort to be made to resume the work of this negotiation platform. The President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic also underscored the connection between the disruption of the “Permanent Conference...” meeting in 2019, caused by Moldova, and the sharp escalation of blockade actions by Moldova that same year.
The head of state placed particular emphasis on advancing the principles of international recognition for the independence of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, as well as the multinational Pridnestrovian people, who possess their own values and “the right to their future, their languages, culture, literature, traditions, customs, and religion”.
“I am convinced that we will undoubtedly have a bright future. We will achieve recognition. The Pridnestrovians are waiting for this, but most importantly, they deserve it. Therefore, it is crucial to continue dialogue on these fundamental issues and, above all, to make every possible effort to preserve peace on Pridnestrovian soil”, Vadim Krasnoselsky emphasized.
In conclusion, he thanked Pridnestrovian diplomats for their work in 2024.
