The foreign-policy establishment held an extended meeting of the Collegium of the PMR Foreign Ministry. The work was organized via video conference. The President took part. The event was of reporting nature. 2023 was the period under discussion. The results of the activities were summed up by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Vitaly Ignatiev recalled that the department’s work was organized in an unstable global and tense regional environment, in the face of challenges, threats, and increased pressure from Moldova. He spoke about the neighboring state militarization, noting that neutrality in Moldova means almost two dozen military training exercises conducted jointly with representatives of NATO countries.
The report was about the persecution of Pridnestrovian citizens, obstruction of economic development, the artificial freezing of international negotiation mechanisms and the Moldovan authorities’ withdrawal from direct and open dialogue. Vitaly Ignatiev emphasized that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to defend the interests of the republic and protect the rights of Pridnestrovians despite all the difficulties and obstacles created from abroad.
The report contained information that the number of working meetings within the framework of the negotiation process was in 2023 minimal since 2011: two meetings of political representatives and nine meetings of members of expert (working) groups. The effectiveness of these meetings is not increasing either. The amendments introduced by Moldova to the criminal legislation of the Republic of Moldova, criminalizing so-called separatism, the civil service and the activities of the Pridnestrovian media was mentioned; pressure on Pridnestrovians when passing border control; blocking foreign economic activity and import of socially significant goods. The question of resuming the full operation of the vehicle registration point remains open. The minister focused on contacts with mediators and observers of the negotiation process.
Speaking about Pridnestrovian-Russian interaction Vitaly Ignatiev spoke about the work of the Official Representation of Pridnestrovie, recalling that the head of this division of the PMR Foreign Ministry Leonid Manakov addressed participants in the 52nd, 53rd and 54th sessions of the UN Human Rights Council in the reporting year, informing the international community about the current state of affairs. Vitaly Ignatiev spoke about the training courses Pridnestrovian diplomats at the site of Moscow State University of Foreign Affairs, recalled the working meeting at the Russian Pension Fund, and focused on progress in solving problems associated with the exchange after the expiration of the Russian passport (there is practically no queue). With the active participation of Pridnestrovian diplomats, productive bilateral relations in the area of healthcare and education are maintained and developed.
As for interaction with Ukraine, it is limited for objective reasons. The contacts are maintained in this case. Meeting of the PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky and the Ambassador at Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Rogovey took place on December 18, 2023. Vitaly Ignatiev recalled that about one hundred thousand Ukrainian citizens live in Pridnestrovie on a permanent basis.
Contacts between Pridnestrovie and the countries of the Caucasus are traditionally maintained and developed. The PMR Ministry of Foreign Affairs systematically interacts with colleagues from Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Work with representatives of other states is underway, as well as with international organizations, Vitaly Ignatiev informed the Collegium participants.
The representatives of foreign countries participating in the Collegium session – Abkhazia, South Ossetia and the Russian Federation – took the floor at the end of the reporting part. Russian Ambassador Oleg Vasnetsov, welcoming the Pridnestrovian diplomats, congratulated them on their professional holiday, which in Pridnestrovie was celebrated on February 10 as in Russia. He emphasized that the mission of the diplomatic service at all times has been and remains the creation of favorable external conditions for the development of the country, defending its interests, strengthening constructive cooperation with foreign partners and promoting a positive agenda in international relations. Russia and Pridnestrovie have a common understanding of diplomacy and the world order in general, noted Oleg Vasnetsov. He spoke about the difficult conditions in which today’s diplomats work, focused on the blocked negotiation process and the stagnated “5+2” format, mentioned the expected meeting of the expert (working) group on economic issues, expressing hope for progress in solving pressing problems. Oleg Vasnetsov.
The speech of the PMR President in the course of the meeting of the Collegium of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was profound. Vadim Krasnoselsky emphasized that geopolitical unrest along the perimeter of the republic has a negative impact, and the country lives and develops nevertheless. The President focused on the prevented terrorist attacks, noting that its prevention is the merit of the Pridnestrovians and their contribution to maintaining peace and security in the republic and the region. Vadim Krasnoselsky emphasized that Pridnestrovie is true to the principles of peacefulness, does not threaten anyone, but is capable and ready to protect and defend the interests of its people. The President said that Pridnestrovie is consistent in its desire to preserve the international negotiation format “5+2” and resume its full and productive work. The format of the “Permanent Conference...” is a platform where you can study the situation, analyze it, make joint decisions, and ask about the implementation of the agreements reached, says Vadim Krasnoselsky. He emphasized that Moldova does not even try to explain its actions, which clearly violate the rights of Pridnestrovians. Healthcare is another example of attacks on human and civil rights. Moldova during the coronavirus pandemic took advantage of the global catastrophe and blocked the flow of medicines and medical equipment to Pridnestrovie. A similar inhumane step was taken in the current aggravated geopolitical circumstances, when military operations are taking place on the territory of neighboring Ukraine and the usual logistics are unavailable.
The PMR President focused on the fact that Pridnestrovians rely on themselves and make every possible effort to ensure security. Returning to the topic of prevented terrorist attacks being prepared against officials of Pridnestrovie and representatives of international organizations, he drew attention to the fact that so far no one from outside Pridnestrovie considered it necessary to communicate with the persons detained a year ago for participating in the organization of these crimes. No one abroad is concerned about the obvious violation of the rights of Pridnestrovians to receive medical care, in which they are limited due to the denial of necessary medical equipment to the republic.
“Dear ladies and gentlemen, I appeal to all international participants, mediators of the “5+2” format. There is no need to act as lawyers for those who violate human rights. Be consistent and figure out why this is happening in relation to the Pridnestrovian people.
As for the healthcare system, I will appeal directly to the leadership of the Red Cross and the World Health Organization, and I will address in writing with the question: why is this happening, why are the citizens of Pridnestrovie deprived of normal medical protection? Let them answer.
Some of the statements of Moldovan politicians are surprising. On February 10 of this year, the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova Mr. Popsoi says the following: Moldova is introducing the region on the left bank of the Dniester into the constitutional field of the Republic of Moldova step by step. That is, in his words, the left bank is entering the constitutional field of the Republic of Moldova step by step, and there will be much more economic opportunities. This can be said either by a hypocrite or an ignorant person. Where do economic opportunities come from? New economic problems? Yes. New challenges? Yes. There are no possibilities. Who is he deceiving? Himself? It is impossible to deceive yourself. You have to live with this, sleep, think about it, go to church, if you are a believer of course. Who is he trying to fool?
As for the introduction to the constitutional field, I want to remind Mr. Popsoi and his colleagues that they tried to establish the so-called constitutional order in 1992 – by invading Pridnestrovie and killing Pridnestrovian people. Who was responsible for this, for the fact that women, old people and children were killed here?” noted the PMR President, calling not to forget how the “establishment of constitutional order” ended in relation to the people who did not vote for this Constitution. Vadim Krasnoselsky recommended bringing the Constitution of Moldova in line with the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Moldova dated August 27, 1991. Now one document contradicts another. He recalled that the Declaration of Independence has greater legal force than the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova, according to the decision of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova. “What does it say? It says that Moldova takes responsibility for eliminating the legal consequences of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. It says that the Moldavian SSR was created illegally. It says that it was the Parliament of Moldova that divided the unified Moldavian SSR into two entities: Moldova (former Bessarabia) and Pridnestrovie (former MASSR). All the i’s will be dotted whey you bring your own Constitution into line with the Declaration.
There is no need to invent anything regarding Pridnestrovie. The fate of Pridnestrovie will be decided only by the Pridnestrovian people, and no one else. All other attempts are a path to escalation of the conflict. I am convinced that there should be no escalation of the conflict here. We must do everything to prevent this. There are two paths: to peace or to war. We must choose only the path of peace. It is necessary for political representatives to work so that they can finally begin to resolve issues for the people if the “5+2” format is impossible due to subjective or objective circumstances. The political representative of Moldova Mr. Serebrian came up with one thing: he achieved the spelling of the name of Pridnestrovie with a small letter. Tomorrow Moldova will become a powerful, strong, self-sufficient, democratic state as if from this decision. What does it change? It's completely unclear. No one can solve the problems. Or they don't want to.
The law on separatism. Moldova is the only state in the world that has criminalized the concept of separatism. Open the legal encyclopedia and read what separatism is. This is the desire for autonomy. Not to mention the fact that we are not separatists, we did not break the Moldavian SSR into two entities. It was your deputies who ruined it. However, global judicial practice does not imply the criminalization of this concept. You are ahead of the rest, you have come up with such know-how, a precedent. Many European structures have condemned and given a negative opinion on this law. Why is this being done? It is unclear.
Please note that we always talk about dialogue in Pridnestrovie, that we are ready to discuss any issues, including status, at the will of our Pridnestrovian people. As soon as I call on the Moldovan side for dialogue, problems immediately appear. Either tariffs, then the law on separatism, then resistance... Tell us honestly and openly where we are going and what we will do, but there is no need to create problems for the people living here at the same time.
Of course, a lot depends on external geopolitical problems and their eventual solution. I am a supporter of peace. You know my position, I can repeat it again. We must try all possible negotiation platforms and not interrupt the dialogue. Starting a war is actually not difficult, but ending a war is very difficult. Therefore, we must use any formulas if there is no platform for the sake of one thing – for the sake of peace here and not only on Pridnestrovian soil. I am sure that no one needs the conflict in Pridnestrovie. The conflict in Pridnestrovie is the path to world war, which is absolutely unacceptable. There is no need to take advantage of the situation and spread rot and mock the Pridnestrovian people,” the President urged, addressing Moldovan officials and the international community.
Vadim Krasnoselsky concluding his speech addressed the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, directing diplomats to continue the political dialogue, search for compromises, and ensure the security of the citizens of Pridnestrovie using diplomatic tools. The President thanked the personnel of the Foreign Ministry for their service and called on them to listen to the people and strive for international recognition of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.
