Transdnestr president: Moldova is taking pro-American position

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“Transdnestr is interested in extending the circle of allies and the neighborhood belt, but at the same time we shall always be protecting our national interests,” Transdnestr President Igor Smirnov said at a news conference in Tiraspol today, a REGNUM correspondent informs.

“Recently, the Transdnestr Republic has intensified its diplomatic cooperation with the countries-guarantors (Russia, Ukraine — REGNUM) as well as with European Union representatives. Meetings became not just regular, but systematic. Five-six years ago western diplomats would say such thing is inadmissible,” Igor Smirnov continued. “Transparent elections to the Supreme Council and presidential elections, as well as a referendum on the republican status were held in Transdnestr with participation of international observers. Overall, Transdnestr interacts and cooperates with more than 98 countries in the world.”

Smirnov noted: “Effectiveness of contacts with international institutions and their influence upon settlement of the relations between Chisinau and Tiraspol is, unfortunately, low. It is connected with the fact that while taking decisions international institutions take into account first of all not legal and international norms, but current political interests. The gist of the interests is to decrease Russia’s influence in Transdnestr or push it away from the area – both from the negotiation process and the peacekeeping format. Moldova announced its decision to integrate into Europe, and is taking a pro-American position towards Russia.”