Minister of Foreign Affairs Vitaly Ignatiev and First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development Sergey Obolonik met with Thomas Lenk, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Opening the discussion, the PMR Foreign Minister emphasized the need to establish a balanced basis for representatives of the Organization’s member states to obtain reliable information on the current state of the negotiation process, including in the context of the upcoming meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna.
During the meeting, the participants discussed some of the outcomes and initiatives formulated during the visit to Pridnestrovie by OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ignazio Cassis and OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioglu.
Particular attention was devoted to issues related to the Republic of Moldova’s intentions to impose additional burdens on economic agents from Pridnestrovie. The Pridnestrovian side, citing specific examples, pointed out the ill-conceived and destructive nature of these steps by Chisinau, which, if implemented, would lead to the collapse of Pridnestrovian industry and trade, as well as to catastrophic social and humanitarian consequences. A clear appeal was made to the OSCE to prevent a negative scenario and escalation, and emphasis was placed on Pridnestrovie’s alternative proposals for developing joint and mutually beneficial economic cooperation with Moldova.
Continuing the discussion, Vitaly Ignatiev, citing the expert (working) group meetings held this week, stated that Moldova continues to engage in the pretense of and sabotage of dialogue, refusing to adhere to substantive and productive interaction, and is unilaterally intensifying pressure on Pridnestrovie.
In this context, he specifically highlighted Moldova’s new law on the status of foreign nationals, which, in violation of existing agreements, could lead to widespread abuse and threats to the personal safety of Pridnestrovians, as well as infringe upon their right to freedom of movement.
The minister proposed that the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights conduct an expert review of this repressive law, similar to the review of the so-called “law on separatism”.
