​TRANSNISTRIA READY TO HOLD ONE MORE REFERENDUM ON RELATIONS WITH MOLDOVA

Transnistria stands ready to hold one more referendum to confirm its population’s desire to live in an independent state, Transnistria’s acting minister of foreign affairs Vitaly Ignatiev stated in Moscow in an interview with Rossiya-24 information-analytical television channel.

Ignatiev reminded that in due time Transnistria proposed a formula of resolving the 25-year-long conflict with Moldova – through a civilized divorce based on the people’s will expression reflected in the 2006 referendum results.

“To take account of the Transnistrian people’s will, we stand ready to organize one more referendum under the aegis of international partners, for example the United Nations”, said Ignatiev.

In his opinion, “citizens of Transnistria are subjected to multifaceted pressure by the Moldovan authorities”.

“Unfortunately, the practice of putting pressure on Transnistria residents has become a norm. It’s hard to say what Moldova actually seeks to achieve by imposing a total blockade of our republic, or what favor or respect by Transnistrians Chisinau has achieved over all these years by creating artificial problems for our citizens in questions of e.g. the freedom of movement. In such conditions, we just cannot speak of whatever constructive dialog or trust because it is obvious that such actions are aimed at creating a feeling of discomfort for Transnistria residents and at forcing Transnistria to surrender its positions”, said the Tiraspol diplomat.

In his words, the current situation in Moldova is causing Transnistrian residents’ concern.

“We want our neighbors to live in peace and order. This is in our interests, too, as this helps our dialog and the political negotiation process. The current political crisis in Moldova is telling adversely on the Tiraspol-Chisinau negotiations”, said the Tiraspol diplomat.

Vitaly Ignatiev expressed hope that Moldova’s new political representative at the 5+2 format negotiations will be working in a more systemic manner in the Transnistrian direction.