International relations and the course of negotiation process

The main and the only issue included to the agenda of the Meeting was the Report of the PMR Foreign Minister on the state of international relations of the PMR, as well as on the course of the negotiation process with the Republic of Moldova. The Chairman of the Supreme Council Alexander Korshunov took part in the work of the Consultative Assembly.

Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev noted in his report that in the negotiation process with the Republic of Moldova, unfortunately, problems and pauses are not uncommon. The negotiations are being conducted today within the framework of the understanding that first of all it is necessary to solve problems of a socio-economic nature. Vitaly Ignatiev emphasized that Pridnestrovie and Moldova in recent years have signed agreements to resolve problems related to telecommunications, with politically motivated criminal cases against Pridnestrovians, with issues of freedom of movement. Agreements were signed in 2018 that related to land use in Dubossary district of the PMR, the activities of educational institutions with the Romanian language, which are under control of the educational system of Moldova. The protocol decision was signed, which determined the format for participation of Pridnestrovian vehicles in free road traffic. In addition, a bridge was opened between the settlements of Bychok and Gura-Bykului. The Moldovan side pledged not to use this object in any forceful actions against the PMR.

Additional problems have appeared in Pridnestrovie, which were created by the Moldovan side since the summer of 2019. These are limitations in the work of the banking and financial sector. In the opinion of the PMR Foreign Minister, Moldova continues to exert pressure and restrictions step by step, not fulfilling the previously reached agreements, creating problems for the residents of Pridnestrovie. Pridnestrovie for several years has been threatened with the introduction of second phase of customs and border control at the Kuchurgan checkpoint. The remaining 17 checkpoints were closed. They were closed at the request of the Moldovan side, allegedly with reference to the pandemic factor.

Less than 5 thousand car owners in Pridnestrovie have received neutral license plates. According to Vitaly Ignatiev, Moldova uses certain political processes - the crisis within the country has been going on for many years - as well as the pandemic factor and the fact that international partners have not been able to organize meetings in the 5 + 2 format for more than two years.

The negotiation process is degrading and this is caused by the unilateral actions of Moldova, according to Vitaly Ignatiev. Already, the special representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office will visit Pridnestrovie in May. In early June, the visit is expected by mediators and guarantors in the negotiation process – representatives and observers who will come to get acquainted with the current situation and negative trends.

As the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PMR noted, in this regard, it is necessary both at the level of the Supreme Council and at the level of the Consultative Assembly to respond, addressing the world community, partners, participants in the negotiation process in order to prevent an escalation of tension and degradation of the situation. Now the time has come when it is necessary to react at the public level as well, since prolonging the existing problems can be extremely dangerous from the point of view of negative consequences.

The first deputies were interested in how Russia treats Moldova's failure to comply with the signed agreements. Vitaly Ignatiev noted that Russia considers non-fulfillment of obligations in the negotiation process unacceptable. Fulfilling agreements is necessary to improve people's lives, not worsen. Unfortunately, not all participants in the negotiation process adhere to this position.

When the first deputies asked what had not yet been done to make Pridnestrovie recognized by the world community, Vitaly Ignatiev replied that Pridnestrovians had done everything in their power for their own recognition. Pridnestrovie has been living for more than 30 years as a reality of the modern world, as one of the newest states that was created after the collapse of the Soviet Union. More than 30 states have been created since that time. However, methods of international recognition are used, and double and triple standards for others.

The first deputies were interested when the work of the Russian consular post will be resumed, as well as in how the issue of obtaining Russian citizenship by young Pridnestrovians born after 1992 is being resolved. The Foreign Minister noted that there is reason to hope that the consular point will resume work in the near future. As for Russian citizenship, the issue has been raised at all levels for many years.

The work is now at its final stage. Recommendations and proposals of the Pridnestrovian side, including those concerning Russian citizenship, will be formalized in the form of a resolution of the State Duma of the Russian Federation.