The meeting of the PMR President and European diplomats took place at the presidential executive office. The delegation was led by Audrone Perkauskiene, Deputy Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at the European External Action Service. She was accompanied by Iwona Piorko, Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova; Mate Csicsai, Head of the Political Department; and a group of various fields advisors. Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Neagu, Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev, and Advisor to the PMR President Pavel Prokudin participated in the discussion on Pridnestrovian side in addition to Vadim Krasnoselsky.
Welcoming the guests, Vadim Krasnoselsky noted his expectation of a productive, substantive discussion, which is necessary for a clear and accurate understanding of the situation. The PMR President expressed confidence that if the European Union maintains a neutral position, there will be results, but if the European Union starts to advocate for one side, there will be no results.
Vadim Krasnoselsky recalled the Pridnestrovian initiatives, which contain proposals for real practical interaction and mutually beneficial cooperation between the parties in a wide range of areas. However there has been nothing to indicate Moldova's readiness to implement or even discuss the Pridnestrovian initiatives, after six months. Chisinau is replacing negotiations with endless propaganda, refusing to pragmatically resolve specific issues in the interests of the people. Vadim Krasnoselsky considers the primary reason for the stagnation of dialogue is the lack of a full-fledged international negotiation process.
Audrone Perkauskiene assured in turn that she strives to facilitate constructive and pragmatic dialogue between the European Union and each side of the conflict, as well as between Tiraspol and Chisinau. According to her, the main goal is to take specific measures to ensure peace and stability, as well as reduce pressure on citizens and businesses. The diplomat reported that the delegation visited two schools (one with Russian and one with Romanian as the language of instruction), discussed foreign trade relations, mentioning the significant volume of Pridnestrovian exports to Europe.
The detailed discussion of mutual interest continued without the participation of the media.
