PREMIER FILIP SPEAKS OUT FOR SETTLING TRANSNISTRIAN CONFLICT AND WITHDRAWAL OF RUSSIAN TROOPS FROM MOLDOVA

Moldovan Prime Minister Pavel Filip took floor at the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and spoke out for peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict and for withdrawal of Russian troops from the Republic of Moldova territory.

In his words, the Transnistrian conflict is “the product of permanent geopolitical interests in region”.

“A crucial role in unleashing this conflict in the early 1990s was played by the external factor. Unlike other regional conflicts caused by ethnic or religious differences, the Transnistrian dispute has a geopolitical character. The ethnic composition of populations on both Dniester River sides and the absence of whatever feelings of antagonism or hatred at the level of the grassroots are illustrating the ideologically and politically false substantiation of this pseudo-state formation [the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldovan Republic]. This very fact makes us feel sure that the conflict can be resolved relatively easily by the joint political efforts of all of the stakeholders participating in the negotiations”, said Pavel Filip.

He underlined also “the frequent statements made by Transnistrian regime representatives about the need to accede to another country [Russia], with which we don't even have a common border”. In his opinion, such statements are illusory and are an obstacle to the conflict settlement process.

The Moldovan Prime Minister expressed a deep concern about the absence of progress in the question of withdrawal of the Russian troops and arsenals deployed in the Republic of Moldova territory without the Moldovan authorities’ consent and in violation of the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova.

“We are seriously alarmed about the growth of the number of military exercises held by these foreign troops – often jointly with the power agencies of the Tiraspol regime”, stressed Pavel Filip.

He voiced confidence that “the shaky security situation in the region, aggravated by seats of destabilization in eastern Ukraine, is demanding a constructive resumption by the 5+2 negotiating format participants, as well as other subjects, including the United Nations and the OSCE, of the process of achieving a soonest-possible solution of the Transnistrian problem in accordance with international law principles”.

“Despite the difficulties we are coming across in the negotiating process, the Moldovan authorities are determined to further make necessary efforts to achieve a political solution to the Transnistrian conflict within the framework of the 5+2 negotiating format on the basis of observance of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova with provision of a special legal status to the Transnistrian region. We are convinced that negotiations are the only way to achieving this goal. However, negotiations will be successful only on condition of a due political will from behalf of all stakeholders, without putting forward stiff preconditions and without evading discussions on the political aspects of the conflict settlement”, stated the Moldovan Prime Minister.

He called on the United Nations to attract more actively its relevant structures to managing regional conflicts that are not on the UN Security Council’s agenda.

In his words, United Nations’ constant monitoring and an active approach to events in the GUAM area may frustrate attempts to change the borders of the states of the region by using methods having nothing to do with democracy or international law.