Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
To begin with, I would like to thank all the citizens of the PMR who came to the polling stations yesterday and cast their votes. Of course, I would like to thank for my support as a presidential candidate, as the current President of our state. It's about supporting the entire team. It is very important. “We did it together” slogan is not just empty words. This is the fruit of joint labor what has been achieved in our republic. Those citizens who voted for my candidacy voted for our team.
Nikita Kondratov, First Pridnestrovian TV Channel:
How do you assess the last vote? Sergei Pynzar gained 11.8%. Invalid ballots 8.8%. What do these numbers mean to you?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
I assess the past elections as absolutely democratic, open, free, public, in connection with which I want to convey my gratitude to the employees of the central, territorial, precinct election commissions, volunteers, law enforcement officers, those who ensured public order during the voting, heads of state administrations, those who prepared the polling stations - to everyone who participated in this large electoral process. As for the numbers, the fact that more than 79% supported my candidacy is a good credit of confidence. The second candidate received a certain percentage. Unfortunately, 8.8% of ballots were invalidated, some were spoiled. Probably, there are people who are not satisfied with either candidate or the second. Probably, they wanted to support the third, fourth candidacy, they did not see their name there. This led to measures such as a tainted ballot. I'll tell you this. I do not hold a grudge against this or that act. By and large, if they told me now, but let us give you the names of those who spoiled the ballots, I would refuse. Our common cause - the development and creation of Pridnestrovie - will continue. I want to prove by deed to everyone who made a choice in favor of candidate Krasnoselsky that they were not mistaken. Those who doubted – there is a hope that they will change their mind. The main thing is not the word, but the deed. This is what I will do to prove and fulfill.
Igor Avrenev, TSV TV channel:
Vadim Nikolaevich, congratulations on your victory. Such a question: people who voted for you 79.4%, why are they for you? What do they expect from you?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
Each voter is a person, and each one expects his own. Nevertheless, there are common themes. First of all, it is peace, peace in Pridnestrovie. This is stability. This is a desire for self-sufficiency, which, perhaps, cannot be achieved 100%, but we must go in this direction. This is infrastructure development. This is the development of territories. This is the improvement of the health care system. This is the fulfillment of all social obligations. Everyone sees their own. The common thing is peace and development. Probably, this is what people want. We are striving for this.
Alexander Karasev, The Pridnestrovie newspaper:
The Capital Investment Fund program has been fulfilled, but not completed. It continues. People noted in the elections that a lot had been done. Only those who do not want it can fail to notice this. The Capital Investment Fund program will continue. What objects will be paid attention to first of all?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
The Capital Investment Fund's program is multi-vector. We are talking about the modernization of Pridnestrovie, about improving the life of Pridnestrovie. Of course, there are many plans, we have enough "creativity". Unfortunately, the money from the "creative" is a little behind. There are many ideas, but financial capabilities are not always at the required level. It is desirable that there are more funds. We would have done many times more in a year than we have done in the current period of time. Nevertheless, there are plans. I would not like to elaborate on the answer in terms of specific objects. I will say one thing. You remember, when I gave press conferences in 2017, 2018, 2019, I talked about development. Every vacant lot should become a park or a sports ground, that there should be well-groomed territories, that tourism should be developed, that social facilities should be repaired and built. If you carefully study the reaction of society, the people, many did not trust what was said. We have proven by deeds that this is possible. The main thing is to work, to work for everyone who wishes the development of our republic.
Therefore, I will say this: the Capital Investment Fund will exist as long as there is a need for it, as long as people declare the need for further development of the state. When I met people, especially recently, in any village, city, what do people talk about? It is necessary to repair the road, the sidewalk, the House of Culture in the countryside, to build a feldsher-obstetric center, a rural dispensary, to repair a hospital, to build a playground, a sports ground, and a new park must be opened. Basically, what people ask for is what goes into the Capital Investment Fund. This is how it is formed - based on the requirements of people. When these requests are terminated, that is, everything will be done, then the Capital Investment Fund will cease to exist. I think this is impossible.
Literally tomorrow, the deputies of the Supreme Council will consider the law-in-draft on the budget in the first reading and naturally one of the main sections, development sections, is the Capital Investment Fund. There was a lot of controversy over it. Of course, I took part in them. Disputes are about creation, towards development. Nobody sets as his goal the exclusion of any objects or the exclusion of the Capital Investment Fund altogether. It's just that everyone wants to do their bit. Therefore, the Capital Investment Fund and the results of the implementation of this program are joint activities of the President, the Government, and the Supreme Council, and everyone who is working on its implementation. Therefore, unambiguously, we did this work together. We will continue to develop.
Irina Levitskaya, TSV TV channel:
Vadim Nikolaevich, I have a question about the government. What will be the Government of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic in the next five years, will its composition change?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
As for the composition, the question is premature. This should be discussed. To be honest, I do not see any fundamental changes, at least not yet. Everyone works. Each is in its place. Everyone does whatever they can do. It is a fact. How do I see him from now on? Stable, rational and efficient.
Alexander Lagutin, First Pridnestrovian TV Channel:
There was very strong pressure on these elections from Moldova, you know. They didn’t let international observers through – we made materials about it. Members of the election commission were not allowed into Dorotskoye yesterday. They say in Moldova: the elections are illegitimate, everything is illegitimate. How should you negotiate with someone who doesn't recognize you at all? Maybe it's time for us to take some kind of retaliatory measures? Soon on January 1, the second phase of control will be introduced. Well, so it is announced. There is no dialogue with Moldova at all, practically at this time. What do we do?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
What Moldova is broadcasting is only regrettable. Just regret. In general, I will say this. Moldovan politicians, public figures, those who say this, contradict the essence and truth. The essence and truth is that Pridnestrovie is an equal participant in the negotiation format, recognized by all who participate in it. I ask you to note that these are Russia, Ukraine, the European Union, the OSCE and the United States. All the listed states recognize the structure chosen by the authorities in Pridnestrovie. We are equal negotiators. Moldova allegedly does not recognize it, although it is also a participant in the "5 + 2" format with equal rights and responsibilities, like Pridnestrovie. We are equal participants in this format. How is it here? You see, it's white and black. The very essence of their statements is contrary to common sense. This electoral period was marked by statements that were made not after the elections, but before. That is, even before the elections, they said that this is all anti-democratic, everything is illegal, we do not recognize, and so on. We were in a hurry a little bit, I guess. A number of observers had to arrive on the territory of Pridnestrovie in order to just confirm the democratic nature of the elections. State Duma deputies, senators arrived and recorded what was happening on our territory. Members of the Public Chamber, representatives of organizations for the protection of human rights, political scientists were unable to get to the territory of Pridnestrovie due to the fact that they were expelled from the territory of Moldova, from the Chisinau airport. This is all regrettable again. The question is: why? On the contrary, send observers. We traditionally invite the OSCE. They are afraid of it. They are afraid to make sure that it is democratic and open here. Our employees with the ballot box were not allowed into Dorotskoye. To whom were they not allowed? They were not allowed to see the people. Still, Moldovan politicians need to learn to respect people's opinions. They talk about democracy all the time. This should not be stated, but one should be democratic. These are different things - word and deed. There is a gap now between word and deed for some Moldovan politicians, political scientists and so on.
Moreover, Pridnestrovie has existed for 31 years. It is high time to understand that generations have grown up who make the choice of the President, the Supreme Council and local authorities. Let me remind you that Pridnestrovie was formed through referendums, taking into account the opinion of the entire people. This is a direct democracy method. Moldova has never tried this method - direct democracy for all the time of its existence. They do not want to hold a referendum on any issue. There is fear in this, do you understand? There is also a fear of the choice of our people. Therefore, they try to get ahead of themselves, to get ahead of common sense with their statements. This does not lead to good. This is stagnating our relationship. You have to talk anyway. Who do they want to see in the 5 + 2 format? Who will be the representative if not the President, the Minister of Foreign Affairs or other political representatives? No others. All of this is regrettable. I don't want to make a tragedy out of this. I still hope for common sense, understanding of the reality and the inevitability of moving forward as a result of negotiations.
As for the second phase of control, we'll see. Of course, we are working on counter measures. There is no doubt about it.
Yuri Soloviev, Radio 1:
Vadim Nikolaevich, today there was an interview where you answered the questions of our Russian colleague. Answering one of the questions, you said that much remains to be done. What are your main tasks for the next five years of your presidency?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
The question is short, the answer will be more comprehensive. First, we have three areas. Let us divide all tasks, divide them into three large sections: political stability, economic self-sufficiency and social justice. With regard to political stability. This, of course, is the outer perimeter, this is the negotiation process, our relations with our neighbors, their building, no matter how difficult it is to do this. This is Moldova, this is Ukraine, this is the European Union, this is the United States of America as a natural participant in the "5 + 2" format. Of course, this is our strategic relations with the Russian Federation. It is more transparent, more understandable for me personally, and more stable. Directions can also be highlighted here. Military interaction. Let me remind you that peacekeeping mission of the Russian Federation is taking place on the territory of Pridnestrovie. This is the factor of military interaction. In addition to the peacekeepers of Russia, peacekeepers from Moldova and Pridnestrovie participate in it. There is political interaction. We are talking about the 5 + 2 format and other agreements. There is cultural and humanitarian interaction, there is interaction in the sphere of education, there is economic interaction. As for our neighbors, basically all relations with neighbors and other structures are in the "5 + 2" format. We look forward to continuing work. Again, at the initiative of the Moldovan side, the "Permanent Conference ..." has been suspended for the time being. The meeting was supposed to take place in October-November, but they have electoral processes, then someone has not been appointed. On purpose, not on purpose, but all this stagnates the process. In any case, if the "5 + 2" format takes place, then the main principle of its work is the implementation of the previously signed agreements. We have something to say. Pridnestrovie is fulfilling the agreements reached earlier. You need to know and clearly understand this. Moldova does not fulfill the agreements signed earlier. The first question on the “5 + 2” format will be: “How did you fulfill the “Berlin”, “Berlin +”protocol, the agreements that were signed to develop these agreements in 2017-2018”? There is nothing to say. This is probably why Moldova avoids direct contact, because there is nothing to say. We look forward to moving forward in this vector.
As for the economy, economic stability, this is the development of the state as a whole. We are an export-oriented state. We subsidize our industry, our agro-industrial complex, we are doing this and will continue to do so. We must develop entrepreneurship, we must create new jobs, attracting investments naturally. What we did in the past five-year plan, we will do in the next. We can talk in the same context about the development of the agro-industrial complex, food self-sufficiency. Food crisis is approaching now, global food crisis. Prices are rising. Prices grow not in Pridnestrovie, but everywhere. It is in Pridnestrovie that we are trying to stabilize it. We are talking about domestic production. Of course, it is impossible to achieve complete self-sufficiency without the development of the agro-industrial complex, without the development of its complex mechanisms, such as land reclamation, preferential lending to farmers. This will be the focus of next year's budget and the main development programs of our state.
The next aspect is social justice. Payment of pensions and salaries: increasing is our priority. This is the fulfillment of other social obligations, the modernization of the healthcare system, the construction and repair of the infrastructure of correctional institutions, the fight against the pandemic. By and large, everything that I have just named is included in the structure and concept of the Development Strategy of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic for eight years. Three years have passed. Remember the criticisms? How about eight years? Can you plan for eight years? You can plan. We have already lived for three years, fulfilling our Development Strategy of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. We will live for five more years, and then the next Strategy for the next period will appear. Do you understand? By and large, what we have planned has already been spelled out. We will do it.
Irina Levitskaya, TSV TV channel:
Vadim Nikolaevich, you have voiced general ambitious tasks, I would like to ask more specifically, what will be your first decision taken as the President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, elected for a second term?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
Well, you know, probably, when the President is just elected for the first time, then there may be the first decision. My decision, whatever it may be, will be a continuation of previous decisions. Therefore, to say what will happen tomorrow, whether there will be strategic decisions. There will be none. There will be normal work and decisions taken in the development of the state, the solution of state problems or the solution of specific problems of any person who addresses me. That's all.
Alexander Karasev, "The Pridnestrovie" newspaper:
Vadim Nikolaevich, you are the President and again the President. Tell me, please, do you plan a visit to Moscow and when?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
Of course I do. But for now, let's not rush the dates. The inauguration is due, and of course, sooner or later there will be a working visit to Moscow.
Alla Ivanchenko, News of Pridnestrovie news agency:
The construction of the Pridnestrovian airport amid the ongoing events has not become a more realistic prospect?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
You probably listened attentively today to the conference of Russian politicians who spoke about the opening of an airport. I'm not against. I am ready to do everything possible to open it, even propose the inclusion of this facility in the Capital Investment Fund. Probably, with regards to the construction of an airfield, in particular in the city of Tiraspol, consolidated decisions are needed – not only the Pridnestrovian one. They are not there yet. I am very much in favor in principle.
Victor Savchenko, First Pridnestrovian TV Channel:
Despite important political moments, about which many questions were asked to you, I would like to ask about football. It is still relevant. The Europa League draw has just taken place. Sheriff's opponents are Portuguese Braga. What do you expect from this confrontation? About this European football spring in general? Although, in fact, we are talking about February, so it is more likely a European football winter with continuation.
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
Last week was International Football Day. I called Yuri Nikolaevich Vernidub, congratulated him on Football Day by phone. Of course, I thanked the Sheriff team for the success. I wished them an opponent with whom they can fight in the football spring. When the Sheriff team, I remember, advanced to the Champions League, the rivals were determined - Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Ukrainian Shakhtar, no one probably expected victories. Everyone wanted to see these teams. Well, somewhere there may be a draw. Maybe even victory. The so-called football miracle took place. Although everywhere there is a pattern and after these successes I would like to further develop the success of the Sheriff team probably. Therefore, I really want to see beautiful football and there is hope for victory of course, for the 1/8 of the Europa League.
Victor Savchenko, First Pridnestrovian TV Channel:
Will there be a reward for Yuri Nikolaevich Vernidub?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
We have to wait for the football club's applications for award. Not only Yuri Nikolaevich deserves an award probably. Both players and administrators deserve awards. There was a pause in this regard. There will be applications for award, the applications for award will be granted.
Victor Savchenko, First Pridnestrovian TV Channel:
Vadim Nikolaevich, will you take a picture with someone other than Blokhin?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
With Alexander Zavarov, with pleasure. I was a fan of Dynamo Kiev in the 80s. A galaxy of players who brought Soviet football, club football to a completely different level – Igor Belanov, Alexander Zavarov, Oleg Blokhin and many others, who were the backbone of the Soviet Union national team. They deserve every respect. I would not like to single out anyone from today's players. I’m still talking about history: I would love to meet and take pictures with these players.
Dmitry Matveev, The Dnestrovskaya Pravda newspaper:
Good afternoon, Vadim Nikolaevich! Looking back at the completed first presidential term, I would like to ask you if everything was as you imagined when you were first elected to the post of President. What, perhaps, surprised you, what caused bewilderment? Did everything work out?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, President of the PMR:
There were no discoveries. Still, I held various positions in Pridnestrovie, I know the people, I feel them, I know the performers and I want to say absolutely precisely: everything that was planned has been practically fulfilled, almost everything. I enjoyed communicating with people. I learned to hear them. This should always be done and always learned. I liked working with public organizations – there is a lot of sense in this. I always review the mail myself. It is clear that due to the pandemic, meetings are limited, but mail arrives. That's great. By the way, I take a lot from what people write to me. I liked working with specific performers – with ministers, with the government, with deputies, with heads of administrations. I liked working, as they say, “on the ground”. I very often traveled to the regions and did not always take the press service with me. I like to work without unnecessary PR, without cameras. I saw how everything was built from scratch. When you come and see a huge foundation pit – like in Dubossary, where a correctional institution for children was built. I saw an urgent need for the correctional institution. I saw the conditions in which these children with disabilities were huddled in the wing of the kindergarten. When this huge construction pit was dug nearby, I thought of only one thing – that the God would give the strength to finish it all. Forces, means, and everything else. Still, there is enough force majeure everywhere. But the God gave, and the people did, and very wonderful. Now you come to this center, and this is a completely different planet. This is full support, this is the restoration of these children, their socialization. Everything necessary has been done there. For example, the Suvorov military college – it has become a completely different object during six months. This is the Catherine Park, and the Bendery Fortress, and the centers of our cities and regions, parks, sports grounds.
It takes a long time. One could devote this time to something else. I like it this way. I am not the President of the chair, I am the President of the work. I like to work in the territories. I will not change my attitude to this matter. I have two spare pairs of shoes in my car trunk, which I put on and go to construction sites. Everyone knows this very well and does the same. They don't follow me in patent-leather shoes, as they did before. We walked around a couple of times, ruined our shoes and already have a spare. We must work on the ground, closer to it. This forms an understanding of what to do next. Therefore, I am saying once again that all the programs that exist and that we will form and develop, including the Capital Investment Fund, are precisely the demand of the people. Each city has its own objects that people are waiting for. These projects will definitely be launched next year, and in a year or two they will be completed.
Alexander Koretsky, News of Pridnestrovie news agency:
Vadim Nikolaevich, last year you initiated the creation of Pridnestrovian presidential grants for the implementation of socio-cultural projects. This happened for the first time in the history of Pridnestrovie. Do you plan to continue such a program? If so, why do you think these grants are needed at all?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
It is planned of course. I was surprised by the activity of the people. The grants were different. Topics – sports, culture, health, ecology, archeology and others. Through these grants, you understand that people want to live in this state and develop it. This should be encouraged. There were many applicants. The commission chose the best. Naturally, this is very positive and we will one hundred percent move forward in the development of the grant system. Grants have been won, received. We are now analyzing how we mastered the funds, what is the result. We will encourage the best. I have already set this task. We will modernize the grant system and improve it. It is desirable to increase it financially of course, we will already look at the possibilities. The fact that it will be preserved is for sure.
Alexander Lagutin, First Pridnestrovian TV Channel:
Vadim Nikolaevich, as I understand it, you watched today a conference of human rights defenders, members of the Public Chamber, which was held in Moscow, and there was a leitmotif such that Russia should help Pridnestrovie. Can you now voice the support measures that Russia can provide to protect the interests of both Russian citizens and Pridnestrovians who live here?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
I cannot say that Russia does not help. To avoid such an opinion, I am ready to say that we have good interaction between Pridnestrovie and the Russian Federation in the areas that I outlined earlier. Issues do not always receive their development or a final decision based on Russian legislation, the need to change it, and so on. Nevertheless, there is movement forward. If we talk about specifics, which is urgently needed, I can name the questions that I constantly raise before Russian politicians and Russian officials. The deputies have arrived. Although they came to observe the elections, I met with them, outlined the problems that exist that need to be urgently addressed. The first problem is the provision of a full range of consular post services. This is the personnel, material support of the consular post. We have 220 thousand citizens of Russia. People are born, people die, documents expire, this or that citizen may lose documents. They need to be changed. This block of problems that has already been accumulated is not being solved due to technical issues, in my opinion. These are personnel, material components. The next question is related to the use of maternity capital in Pridnestrovie: so that those citizens who receive maternity capital can apply it on the territory of Pridnestrovie to receive education at Pridnestrovian State University, as well as in the construction or purchase of secondary housing. The third point is the receipt of a medical insurance certificate by Russian citizens who live in the territory of Pridnestrovie, in order to receive medical services in Russia, if necessary. Now this is difficult. The next point is giving PSU the status of a Russian university and its inclusion in the Russian digital system. This will give an opportunity and impetus to the development of our educational institution. Of course, the simplification of obtaining citizenship of the Russian Federation by all compatriots living in the territory of Pridnestrovie, regardless of other citizenship. There are, of course, many other nuances and questions that I constantly hear from people. These issues need to be addressed.
Victor Savchenko, First Pridnestrovian TV Channel:
Vadim Nikolaevich, I would like to return to the topic of elections. As a citizen I have been observing the elections since 2001, as a journalist since 2006. The elections were different, some were not alike. This election is also unlike any other. This time there were few candidates. I would like to ask, is the current absence of an ideological struggle, a serious confrontation of election programs – is it some kind of situational moment? Have we somehow already rallied together to such an extent that in the future there will be no serious competition for us, no serious struggle? If it's easier to formulate the question, what will happen to the Pridnestrovian democracy next?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
The question, you know, is both philosophical and voluminous. If you remember, in 2017 I talked about the consolidation of society - the President, the government, the Supreme Council, the whole society - and I did a lot for this. This is stability, internal stability. I said that there is an external factor, and there is an internal one. This is the internal factor in ourselves, we ourselves must form it, and without stability this is impossible. Therefore, this probably largely influenced the electoral period of 2021 - the presidential elections. The electoral cycle went on quite calmly, but there is another explanation for this. The thing is that my team and I did not work for the result of the vote exclusively in 2021, as it happens: the electoral cycle, everyone rushed and began to work in the last year. No, you can't do that. We started work in 2017 and have been working for all 5 years. As a presidential candidate and at the same time acting President, I was part of the electoral cycle, there was nothing new for me. I met people. My working day has not changed significantly in this area. Probably, this was also a certain stability of the electoral period. I consider that the more stable the electoral period, the better for the state, the better for the people. People have so many problems, you know. It is counterproductive to hang on them any political problems, even internal ones. I consider that the result obtained is the best result, not in terms of the percentage that the people gave me as a vote of their confidence, I am talking about the internal stability that was present. It costs a lot. What will happen next - time will tell.
Yuri Solovyov, Radio 1:
Vadim Nikolaevich, against the background of the stagnation of the negotiation process, NATO arms supplies to Moldova and some statements by politicians from Chisinau, I would like to ask how the Pridnestrovian army is doing. Are there any other changes planned or has everything been done from the planned?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
I will put it this way: what is planned is done. This should be noted. The Pridnestrovian army has improved. This can be seen in the material condition, in the state of the infrastructure – canteens, barracks locations and most importantly in the inner spirit of the army. Of course, such an evil as "bullying" is probably impossible to completely overcome. Even in ultra-modern armies, such elements exist. Nevertheless, we have minimized abuses in the Pridnestrovian army. At the same time, the institution of the working day has been introduced, students who come to serve in the army can continue their studies in educational institutions. From the Minister of Defense to the rank and file soldier, discipline is fostered in all levels of the Armed Forces. Naturally, it is also impossible to see the development of the Armed Forces without normal combat and political training. We also deal with staffing. The Suvorov Military School was opened. We are currently planning to improve the material and technical support of the Armed Forces. This is also a development factor, not to mention combat training. This is all open in principle, unclassified information: our Armed Forces, all law enforcement structures, taking into account the mobilization reserve – we will all be working out programs for the defense of the PMR next year. This is a normal job. We are a peaceful state, I have already spoken about this many times, and we understand that we respect the strong and capable of defending themselves.
Dmitry Matveev, The Dnestrovskaya Pravda newspaper:
Vadim Nikolaevich, this is not an economic or political issue. How did your family react to the news of the re-election? Taking into consideration your schedule and tension, you are probably "lost" to your family and friends?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
I can’t say that I’m completely "lost" for my family and friends, no. You need to harmoniously schedule your time. There should be time for work, and there should be time for family. You can't do without it. Frankly, my wife always perceives all these processes with anxiety, like the last elections. She understands what it is. She was my wife when I was a militiaman, chief of militia, minister of internal affairs. She understands and sees how I work, she knows perfectly well that I will not sit in a chair in my office. She understands perfectly well that I will be wasting a lot of time, but she chose me as her husband when I was a cadet in a military school. Do you understand? Here's the nuance. She made her choice and perceives the given as it is. It only helps me, definitely.
Alexander Lagutin, First Pridnestrovian TV Channel:
Vadim Nikolaevich, one of the most difficult areas during your first presidential term, in my opinion, was the field of medicine. I remember our meeting in 2017...
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
In 2018, March 2018, Alexander. I remember it well.
Alexander Lagutin, First Pridnestrovian TV Channel:
How many ministers have changed, then a pandemic, which further exposed these problems. I myself faced a year ago with the boorish treatment of doctors with my now deceased mother, who suffered oncology. The question is: when will we want to go to our doctors, and not go somewhere abroad? When will this moment come?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
I would like to recall the nature of the March 2018 meeting. What was the concept and the main message of this meeting? I just demanded a normal attitude towards people, a correct attitude towards people. Basically, I didn't talk about anything else. Why is that? Let me remind you that the need for this voluminous meeting arose for me personally as a result of the study of citizens' appeals. This is the first thing. The second point is the result of considering these applications. Many statements were absolutely objective (not all, by the way, are objective statements, this is understandable, this is life). I was not satisfied with such conclusions. I saw that the health care system itself was engaged at that time to a greater extent on mutual responsibility. This is scary for the system. When this or that official, doctor, militiaman ceases to feel the danger of punishment for failure to perform or improper performance of his official duties, this leads to further abuse. Ultimately, it affects people. I then gave a message to change the philosophy of the relationship between doctor and patient. Although it can be said the other way around – this is between the patient and the doctor. Doctors also need protection. I saw the need after this meeting for other systemic changes. What are we talking about? You are people, put on a white coat, feel like a doctor for a minute, talk to a patient. What is necessary? It is necessary to create a doctor's workplace – comfortable, warm, in a normal room, with normal equipment. Being uniquely defines consciousness. I have no doubt about it. A doctor who works in proper conditions changes the philosophy and attitude towards the patient as well. We followed this path as well. Ministers changed. Then there was pandemic. I lead the process, I took on this responsibility. Although at the beginning of 2020, when the pandemic was increasing, it was dangerous for the President to lead it. Who knew what would happen? It worked, it didn't work – in any case, I would have to collect cones. I went for this deliberately, realizing that the President must systematize, cement the structure, discipline. Moreover, not only the Ministry of Health, but all structures should take part in the fight against the pandemic. This brought me closer to the healthcare system. I’ll tell you, the set of measures that we introduced, this is the Capital Investment Fund, and the measures that we are using in the fight against coronavirus, and personal communication with chief doctors every Monday, have yielded results. The number of negative appeals to the President has decreased, probably tenfold compared to 2017, 2018. Each appeal is carefully examined by the leadership of the Ministry of Health, if it is an ordinary appeal. If we are talking about a person's life and health, it is already being carefully studied by the prosecutor's office of our republic or the Investigative Committee. At the same time, I have not changed my philosophy absolutely. I demand only one thing: a normal, correct attitude towards people. By the way, I demand this not only from health workers. I demand this from social security workers, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the customs committee – from all officials. This is a complex issue. Therefore, I finally came to the conclusion that we still need to think about society and in terms of educating people – through history, through love for our land. It is necessary to develop cultural immunity, a cultural code, and not just scold officials or doctors. We must educate society, educate ourselves. We will draw on competent and balanced officials from a cultured, democratic society.
By the way, any central park of towns and districts is filled with our history. This all forms a general attitude. Take any park area. It is clear that people are working there, cleaning. But there is no total rubbish, there are no cigarette butts, papers, cups. Because people still understand that it has been done for them, for their convenience, and they are already trying to follow what has been done for them. This is also a cultural code, cultural immunity. This is common, do you understand? From small to general. Therefore, my attitude has not changed. I will hold ten more such meetings, if necessary, although not everyone then understood what I was waiting for. Many people thought that I was dissatisfied with the work of the doctors. No, I am satisfied with doctors’ work, sometimes discipline is needed, but for today I am satisfied. By the way, this is confirmed by those people who have gone through covid hospitals. This is still a special topic. Today, everyone who is in need receives the necessary medical care at the expense of the state, receives the necessary food, and it has been noticeably improved. All medical institutions are fully supplied with oxygen. I can judge by comparison with our neighbors: Moldova, Ukraine, Europe. Although many were convinced that we would simply fail in the fight against the pandemic, that we would not be able to cope, let us assume a large percentage of deaths. We did not allow this. This is a common work, systematization of the process. As I already said, the mistake was made by those who thought that the doctor should both save people and fight the pandemic. No, a doctor should only save a person, and the general system of government, including the President, the government, the Supreme Council and other structures, should fight the pandemic. We must provide the doctor with everything he needs, and the doctor must save people. And then, again, the attitude of the doctor to the patient will be different. You cannot demand only one from a doctor. We have to provide a doctor, which is what we do. This is an integrated approach. Therefore, we are moving forward. I think that from year to year we will reduce the number of complaints from our citizens regarding a doctor or the healthcare system.
By the way, we declare next year the Year of Health Care, you know. Again, through the Capital Investment Fund, we will invest in rural medicine, in urban medicine. We will modernize medical equipment. That's for sure. We will develop state programs. Let me remind you that we have state immunization programs to combat HIV / AIDS, cancer, hepatitis. In addition, we treat our citizens outside the republic - in Moldova, in the Russian Federation, in other states, when there is a need for it. We are mastering new forms of surgical intervention: we are talking, for example, about the replacement of hip joints in Tiraspol. The next step is knee replacement. This is a forward movement. This is also a demand of people. We will work together and there will be a result. Every Monday we consider all issues related to medicine at a meeting of the Operational Headquarters. I listen to every head physician. This applies not only to the pandemic, but also to the development of health care in general. The attention that is paid will definitely take its result in this area.
Alla Ivanchenko, News of Pridnestrovie news agency:
Vadim Nikolaevich, politics from my (woman’s) point of view: If we look philosophically at the destructive behavior of Moldova, can we find anything positive for us?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
Probably, there is something positive in every fact, in every event. The positive is understanding, understanding that nothing has changed since the nineties. This may be bad. But when you know it is good. The people of Pridnestrovie are wise, they will understand and evaluate the position of the Moldovan authorities in relation to the Pridnestrovian people. This is positive.
Well, dear journalists, thanks for the questions always interesting, always something new. I cannot say that the presidential elections that took place just yesterday, opened a new page for Pridnestrovie, no. We will continue to work as we did – as a team. We will achieve new results. The page may be the same, new results are coming. I'm counting on it. Of course, there are many challenges - economic, political, pandemic. All this is surmountable, in my opinion. They concern everyone. The republic has a special challenge - blockade measures against Pridnestrovie. This is part of our personality. I want to say that in such conditions we have been working and living for more than thirty years. At the same time, I see the desire of people to live and develop here, to build their business here, to raise their families here. This makes me happy person.
Therefore, once again I want to thank all the citizens of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, who came to the elections, for their activity, for their choice. I am sure that your hopes will be justified. Thanks a lot!