11/05/14
Today, Press Club with the participation of Pridnestrovian and foreign journalists took place in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PMR. Conversation on a variety of subjects lasted for more than two and a half hours in an open way for mass media.
Media representatives were interested in relations Pridnestrovie with Russia and new state formations, the current situation in the negotiation process, and also issues on ensuring economic stability in the republic. Besides, journalists asked about the Pridnestrovian Army and peacekeeping contingent deployed on the banks of the Dniester. Attention was also paid to upcoming elections in Moldova.Answering the question about the support provided by Russia to the Pridnestrovian state, Nina Shtanski stressed its colossal character and special importance for the republic. Particularly, the Minister supposed that without peacekeeping, humanitarian, financial support of Russia Pridnestrovie could not exist as a state. She noted that this assistance helps to resist the pressure putting on people with a view to “make them poorer, persuade them to any actions and decisions”.In the context of the Russian support, to ensure peace and security through the peacekeeping operation is very substantial help to Pridnestrovie. “The peacekeeping operation is of great importance and is carried out under the auspices of Russia. It is of international nature. This format is unique because Russia could bring together the parties to the conflict,” – said Nina Shtanski. Moreover, it is due to the fact that Russia guarantees peace on the banks of the Dniester, “Pridnestrovian people feel safe here.”“When do they recognize Pridnestrovie and why it should be interesting for Russia?” – journalists from Europe asked the Minister. According to the Head of the Foreign Ministry, without recognition of Pridnestrovie as an independent state, “it makes it difficult to imagine the integration with Russia in terms of international right”. At the same time, she noted, Russia, as any other state, has its political position and “red lines” with which “each state draws own strategic, national interests”. In this regard, Nina Shtanski refrained from making predictions or answer on behalf of another sovereign State. Therefore she shared expectations of Pridnestrovian people on that subject with the journalists: “We look forward to recognizing Pridnestrovie by Russia. There are legal and historical grounds for it. In my view, it is the only possible scenario of developments here,” – she said. Then she added: “Only people should decide their destiny, wherever they live”.At the same time, the Minister expressed the opinion that the international community is in no hurry to implement provisions contained in the United Nations Charter, although it respects them. She thinks decisions on recognition or non-recognition of one or another entity of international policy are determined by geopolitical interests and political expediency. Explaining Pridnestrovie's wish for independence and deepening the background of creation of Pridnestrovian statehood, Nina Shtanski drew a parallel between the relations of Pridnestrovie and Moldova and the marriage which had long been broken up, however, the Minister thinks, “former spouses” might well remain peace neighbours. “Moldovan Soviet statehood is a marriage that lasted for only 50 years. When “a family” was formed, Bessarabia was annexed to Pridnestrovie, and not the other way around. Pridnestrovie has never been a Moldovan land. “When the Soviet Union collapsed, Moldova stated that the documents on establishment of this “marriage” were illegitimate, it itself annulled a marriage contract,” - said the Minister. The separation determined the fact that both states went their own way of development. She also reminded that “civilized divorce” was proposed to the Moldovan side last year by Pridnestrovie's President Yevgeny Shevchuk at the international conference in Germany. ”“In this context, it is important for me the recent speech of the Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov that clearly shows that the cooperation with emerging Eurasian Union does not depend on Pridnestrovie's status. The Head of the Foreign Ministry of Russia reminded that agreeing on the format of the negotiation process; Moldova made a commitment to follow certain rules, which include a neutral military status and sovereignty. Today with great doubt we can talk about following these commitments what, first, resulted from an Association Agreement with the EU (however, Moldova has commitment to Pridnestrovie not to make political decisions without considering the view of the PMR), and second, it is becoming not topical at all to talk about neutral status: the Moldovan Army is funded by resources from the NATO, the USA, and Romania, at that it is not a secret. The NATO is presented wider institutionally by various structures and branches in Moldova than in many NATO countries,” – said Nina Shtanski.The Minister answered also other questions from the media.
