The Train Routes: search for compromises

The first this year meeting of Foreign Policy and International Relations Commission was held at the Supreme Council. It was held by the chairman, the vice-speaker of parliament Galina Antyufeeva. Among the guests were Acting Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev, Acting Director General GUKP "Pridnestrovian Railway" Alexander Rajko, 1st Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee Alexey Lipovtsev.

The main issue on the agenda were discussed repeatedly in the past, the problem of railway communication between Ukraine, Pridnestrovie and Moldova. Norms Moldova-Pridnestrovian protocol decision "On the principles of the resumption of full-fledged cargo traffic through the territory of Pridnestrovie" acted until 1 January 2017 in this sphere. It was signed in March 2012, the document shall be limited to 1 January 2017. On the eve of this date, it was extended by the President of PMR Vadim Krasnoselsky and Moldovan Prime Minister Paul Philip without organizing internal meetings. Despite the fact that not all points of the protocol decision satisfied the Pridnestrovian side, the fact that the Moldovan partners violate some of them, of two evils was chosen smaller - its operation was extended for another year. This is necessary in order not to put under even greater blow Pridnestrovian economic agents. According to the leaders of the Customs Committee Alexey Lipovtsev, despite the existing problems, the transportation is carried out. During the 17 days of the year Pridnestrovian section of the railway transported 6.5 thous. Tons of goods worth a total of more than $ 4.5 million. However, it does not mean that existing problems are not to be solved in this sphere. During this year it is necessary to develop a mechanism of interaction that suits both parties.

The fact that in July last year, Moldova banned the import into the territory of lubricants republic without customs clearance on its territory evidenced by voluntaristic flouting the Moldovan authorities of the provisions of the protocol solutions in the sphere of rail transport, which is why our business entities and railway incur losses. This restriction was lifted only in November last year, not without the participation of Ukraine, who also loses because of reduce traffic on Pridnestrovian railway, and its economic agents are forced to use the more expensive road transport.

Pridnestrovian side in February 2016 presented Moldova the new version of the integrated document regulating the delivery of goods by rail. There was no positive signals from official Chisinau. Questions moving goods by rail are constantly on the agenda of meetings of the expert (working) groups of PMR and Moldova, meetings of political representatives of the parties, as well as the Permanent Conference on Political Issues in the process on Pridnestrovian settlement in the "5 + 2" format. It will be discussed in the walls of the Supreme Council and speaker tomorrow at the meeting with the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman (since the new year chairmanship of this international organization is in Austria).