The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky held a working meeting with Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev and Minister of Economic Development Sergei Obolonik. The meeting focused on the state of the negotiation process with the Republic of Moldova and the economic risks associated with the Moldovan side's unilateral discriminatory actions.
As Vitaly Ignatiev noted, no progress was achieved on any pressing issues during contacts at the level of political representatives due to Chisinau's destructive position. The Moldovan side's approaches are imitative. Moreover, the Moldovan side rejected several initiatives from Pridnestrovie, including a proposal to allow heavy-duty vehicles to use the bridge over the Dniester River near the village of Bychok. The Foreign Minister stated that Chisinau continues to increase economic, social, and humanitarian pressure on Pridnestrovie, directly harming the republic's citizens. Such actions violate the principles of the negotiation process, international norms, and the existing mechanism for trade cooperation between Pridnestrovie and the European Union According to the Foreign Ministry.
Vitaly Ignatiev reported that the meetings of political representatives have not yielded any practical results. The Moldovan side has not presented any actual solutions on any of the broad issues on the agenda. Specifically, Chisinau stated that existing meetings on relations with the European Union do not provide for the possibility of resolving the practical problems of Pridnestrovian economic entities.
It was noted that only one meeting of the expert (working) group on economic issues has been held on May 5 since the beginning of the year. The Moldovan side publicly stated that time, that it had no plans to increase economic pressure on Pridnestrovie and assured that it would inform and discuss in advance any possible changes to economic regulation. However, subsequent initiatives by Chisinau to introduce new pseudo-fiscal mechanisms, including the creation of a so-called convergence fund, indicate otherwise. These decisions were made without consultation with the Pridnestrovian side and without a serious analysis of the scale of the negative consequences. These measures, as the Foreign Minister emphasized, are aimed at undermining the republic's socio-economic potential.
Vitaly Ignatiev spoke about the Pridnestrovian initiative for constructive interaction in the socio-economic sphere. The document was prepared in response to Moldova's introduction of new economic and administrative restrictions and aims to find joint solutions capable of removing existing barriers, stabilizing the economic situation, and creating conditions for improving the standard of living of the populations of both countries. The initiative was officially sent to the Moldovan side, all participants in the "5+2" international format, and was also presented to the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and the representative of the European External Action Service. However, as the minister noted, Chisinau has still not responded to this initiative, continuing to make decisions that, according to the Pridnestrovian side, contradict the goals of normalizing the socio-economic situation.
Minister of Economic Development Sergei Obolonik informed the President on the work of expert (working) groups on economic issues. According to him, the list of issues that Pridnestrovie consistently raises with the Moldovan side for discussion is constantly expanding. However, none of the issues raised have yet received practical solutions.
As the head of the Ministry of Economic Development noted, the Pridnestrovian side has repeatedly proposed mutually beneficial economic cooperation and the development of joint solutions, but there has been no response from Chisinau. Furthermore, previously reached agreements on preliminary discussions and informing Pridnestrovie of changes that could impact the republic's economy are not being observed. As an example, the minister cited the situation with the introduction of VAT for Pridnestrovian enterprises. According to him, this project was presented without an analysis of the consequences or coordination. Sergei Obolonik explained that Pridnestrovian economic entities will be required to make additional payments directly to the Moldovan budget for a number of product categories, starting August 1. The Ministry of Economic Development considers that such measures could have serious consequences for Pridnestrovie: enterprises could cease their foreign economic activity, some production would cease, and the overall economic situation would worsen under these stifling conditions.
Summing up the meeting, the President emphasized that the key problem remains the lack of a full-fledged negotiation process. Vadim Krasnoselsky recalled that the international "5+2" format effectively ceased to exist back in 2019 at the initiative of the Moldovan side. This created the conditions for the imposition of unilateral decisions by Moldova, which today manifest themselves in economic pressure on Pridnestrovie. According to Vadim Krasnoselsky, the actions of the Moldovan side are deliberate and aimed at creating economic difficulties for Pridnestrovian enterprises and for all citizens of the republic.
"Moldova is trying to create the appearance that the negotiation process is continuing by holding formal, essentially ritualistic, meetings at the level of political representatives. Two meetings took place, and I was waiting for results. I was hoping for real steps, that perhaps they would listen to the proposals and accommodate the people living in Pridnestrovie. People must understand: all statements from the Moldovan side about what they think of the Pridnestrovians are lies, pure hypocrisy," Vadim Krasnoselsky stated.
The PMR President expressed confidence that economic pressure from Moldova will not achieve its stated goals. "Attempts to bring Pridnestrovie to knees will not succeed. We are accustomed to surviving and working in difficult conditions," Vadim Krasnoselsky said. In conclusion, the President emphasized that Pridnestrovie will remain open to dialogue provided there is a genuine and demonstrated commitment from the Republic of Moldova to practical solutions to specific issues in the interests of the people.
