Today, a meeting between the chief negotiators from Pridnestrovie and Moldova took place at the OSCE Mission office in Tiraspol, attended by representatives of the mediators and observers.
Vitaly Ignatiev noted in his opening remarks that, since the previous meeting, the Moldovan side had failed to demonstrate its commitment to dialogue through concrete actions; on the contrary, it had engaged in outright sabotage of the negotiation process. According to him, Moldova is failing to fulfill its obligations in any of the areas on the current agenda and is shirking any form of decision-making in the interests of the people.
Particular emphasis was placed on the inadmissibility of blockade measures against Pridnestrovie in the form of illegitimate levies on Pridnestrovian businesses and citizens, including public sector employees, pensioners, people with disabilities, and other members of socially vulnerable groups. It was emphasized that inflicting such damage on Pridnestrovian enterprises amid the global energy crisis would result in a mass shutdown of production and lead to a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe.
“This is a cynical blow against the citizens of Pridnestrovie, disguised as fiscal terminology. We caution the Moldovan side against attempts to fan the flames of regional conflict by passing this off as a well-thought-out ‘strategy’ for resolution,” the Minister noted.
During the meeting, Pridnestrovie formulated an alternative initiative on joint steps aimed at economic development through the removal of blockades and barriers. It was proposed that its detailed parameters be discussed at the next meeting of the expert (working) groups on the economy.
Based on previously signed agreements, it was also proposed to explore the possibility of implementing projects related to the Dniester River’s ecology and the repair of the bridge across the river in the area of the villages of Bychok and Gura-Bicului. Highlighting specific examples of Pridnestrovie’s assistance to Moldova in emergency situations and in apprehending criminals, the Minister once again called for the resumption of cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of the PMR and the RM in light of the growing risks of cross-border crime.
Separately, Vitaly Ignatiev called on Moldova to end discrimination against the PMR citizens by restricting their freedom of movement and prohibiting their return to Pridnestrovie, as well as to implement the recommendations of the OSCE ODIHR and the European Commission to repeal the repressive provisions of the so-called “law on separatism”, which lead to human rights violations and hinder a political settlement.
Commenting on certain destructive statements made by his counterpart, the PMR Foreign Minister emphasized the inadmissibility of Chisinau’s refusal to implement, as well as to sign, agreements reached within the framework of the negotiation process. Such a negative approach both contradicts the agreed-upon principles of conducting dialogue and hinders the resolution of specific issues in the interests of the population of Pridnestrovie. In particular, the representative of Chisinau was unable to explain his refusal to sign the Protocol Decision on the mechanism for the repatriation of children left without parental care.
During the meeting, the parties focused on educational issues, including the starkly differing views of Chisinau and Tiraspol on language policy, as well as the possibility of discussing sensitive historical topics at the academic level.
At the conclusion of the meeting, it was emphasized that until security guarantees are provided to members of the negotiating team, officials, and journalists from Pridnestrovie on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, the Pridnestrovian side maintains its position that future meetings should be held at the OSCE Mission offices in Tiraspol and Bendery.
