​ TIRASPOL LEADER CONDEMNS MOLDOVA’S INTENTION TO CONTROL TRANSNISTRIAN IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

Transnistria regards the launching of joint border control at the Cuciurgan/Pervomaisk station by Moldova and Ukraine as “a unilateral action and an attempt to fully control Transnistrian exports and imports and the movement of persons across the Transnistria-Ukraine border”, the president of the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldovan Republic (PMR), Vadim Krasnoselsky, stated commenting on the Monday’s official launching of the joint border control at Cuciurgan by President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and Moldovan Prime Minister Pavel Filip.

Krasnoselsky maintains that the joint control starting at Cuciurgan violates all previous accords and Transnistria’s right to run its own economic activities and citizens’ right to free movement, and that this decision was taken behind Tiraspol’s back because the question had not been discussed with anybody from Tiraspol.

“This is indeed causing our concern. Naturally, Transnistria will be suffering damage. Pay attention: Moldova and Ukraine have unfolded fiscal posts that have been given certain instructions to fulfill. They must act according to Chisinau-set rules and the Moldovan legislation, and this will undoubtedly infringe on the rights and freedoms of our citizens and economic operators”, believes Vadim Krasnoselsky.

He offered an opinion that “those very state officials, who generated and promoted the joint border control idea, may well have a conflict escalation on their mind”.

“After the 1992 armed conflict, the military components of Transnistria and Moldova were separated by Russian peacekeepers. But now we will be in a direct contact. What is it being done for? Why after 25 years of the peaceful coexistence of Transnistria, Moldova and Ukraine somebody should light a wick that may lead to a blast?” wondered the Transnistrian president.

As already reported by Infotag, the joint border control was opened de-jure yet last June 1. The Transnistrian authorities were notified about the Chisinau’s and Kiev’s intention yet in 2015.

On Monday, Moldova and Ukraine agreed upon and signed supplements to the technological scheme of the organization of the joint control of persons, motor vehicles and goods, and agreed to start a phased joint border control at the Cuciurgan border-crossing station.

At the initial stage, Moldovan border guards will be on duty at the entry into Moldova (exit from Ukraine) and customs officers – on the direction of exist from Moldova (entry into Ukraine).

It is believed that this scheme will permit to improve interaction between Moldovan and Ukrainian border and customs services, will promote a growth of commodity exchange between the two countries, and should let speak of a new level of the Moldo-Ukrainian relations.

Upon completion of the initial stage, the sides’ services will embark on their full-scale regular activities in conformity with the previously approved technological scheme.