Press
NEUTRALITY STATUS SUITS MOLDOVA ALL RIGHT, VORONIN SAYS
Chisinau. President Vladimir Voronin presumes neutrality status is quite advantageous for Moldova, particularly in connection with the Transnistria problem.
Voronin stated in his interview with Der Standard publication of Austria that “with the exception of some oppositional politicians speculating on this topic to ensure popularity, nobody is ready to cast doubt on Moldova’s neutrality”.
“As for the geopolitical situation, the entire world also understands that the neutrality status is best fitting Moldova, particularly in connection with the Transnistrian problem. We are a small country having a population of 4 million and bordering only two neighbors – Romania and Ukraine. It would be erroneous to presume that we are able to influence the European or world geo-policy”, the Moldovan President said.
At the same time, Vladimir Voronin refuted accusations of the republic’s self-isolation: “We are a United Nations member, and are part to various European Union structures, to regional organizations of the Southeastern Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP), where we are presiding at the present time”.
He also said Moldova is looking forward to entering a new stage of integration negotiations with the European Union.
“Moldova is not planning to join NATO. I don’t think that our joining that Organization would make it more efficient. NATO can continue functioning well even without the Republic of Moldova”, said the President.
He voiced optimism about the Transnistrian conflict settlement prospects, saying, “Recently, discussions with Transnistria have been resumed. I met with the Transnistrian separatist regime leader, Igor Smirnov, and we discussed various possibilities of holding negotiations in the format of 5+2 [Moldova and Transnistria as the conflicting sides, Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE as international mediators; and the European Union and United States as observers]. All the parties involved, particularly Chisinau, are aware that very much depends on Russia. So we are glad that the Russian State Duma [parliament] is considering the Transnistria problem separately from the problems of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and that the Duma has passed a decision to have the Transnistria problem be settled with the observance of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova”.
Voronin also said that upon the coming of new President Dmitry Medvedev to power in Moscow, he hopes relations with Russia will improve because Moldova is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and one of the main priorities of President Medvedev’s external policy is to develop and improve relations with CIS countries.
