Smirnov / Voronin talks see "cautious optimism" in future negotiation process

Igor Smirnov, left, sat down for direct talks with his Moldovan counterpart Vladimir Voronin for 90 minutes in Bender on Friday

BENDER (Tiraspol Times) - On 11 April 2008, President Igor Smirnov of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic had a working meeting with President Vladimir Voronin of the Republic of Moldova to keep a tentative appointment which they set up by phone last Monday.

Meeting in Bender, the two leaders discussed the progress and perspectives for a Moldovan-Transdniestrian status settlement, as well as the possibilities of restarting consultations to work out a model of shaping "good neighborly relations between the republics."

" - The Transdniestrian side once again demonstrated its commitment to settling the Moldovan-Transdniestrian relations by using peaceful, political means in the framework of constructive and equal-rights dialog between the authorized state organs of Transnistria and Moldova," noted the PMR Presidential Press Service in an official statement after the meeting.

Special attention at the meeting was attached to the practical aspects of settlement that influence the everyday life of citizens in both republics, including elimination of administrative barriers which impede the economic development of the entire region, said the report.

Voronin: "Meetings will become regular"

The meeting was held in private, and at its end the two Presidents commented on the outcome of their conversations.

"- Today took place our previously arranged meeting with Mr. Smirnov. We have agreed that our meetings will become regular and that telephone conversations will also be held whenever they are necessary," said Vladimir Voronin in an interview. "In addition, we have agreed that both sides will set up working groups to look at all the issues of relations between us, including the confidence-building measures that I offered some time ago.

" - The establishment of such groups and their work - which I believe will commence immediately, hopefully next week - should provide us with the prerequisites for bringing our positions closer to the point where we can propose the start of full-scale negotiations in the 5+2 format", Voronin said.

" - We also agreed that all restrictions on the entry to Transdniestria of high-ranking government officials from Moldova will be removed. And I will, without delay, request that the European Union lifts its travel restrictions against Transdniestrian leaders," emphasized Vladimir Voronin.

Smirnov: "We will find a common language"

Igor Smirnov, commenting on the outcome of meeting, thanked the Moldovan President for the "frank conversation" and said: "In my agenda, I had two issues. The first one is to hand over the text of the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation between the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic and the Republic of Moldova, which, in our opinion (and with an account of all referendums held) could precisely be the key to solving all issues. And the second issue is the elimination of all economic and other barriers to the free movement of good and people for the sake of continuing the work," said Smirnov. "And precisely in this context, Vladimir Voronin emphasized his support for creating the working groups."

" - I can already anticipate the objections: "Igor, these group have already existed in the past, they did their work, and we know the outcome. What is the point of returning to this stage again?" The answer is very simple: "To do nothing is even worse." Therefore we will work and we will monitor the process," Smirnov added.

" - The job will be handled by officials who have been empowered to carry out the tasks of organizing the working groups. From my side, this is Foreign Minister Valeri Litskai, and from Vladimir Voronin's side it is Minister Vasile Sova," said Igor Smirnov.

" - After the statement by the Moldovan President that he will appeal to the European Union for a removal of their travel restrictions, we will also remove the restrictions on entrance into the territory of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic for officials from Moldova (except those who require special protection under the law and special circumstances for travel)."

Overall, the presidents expressed cautious optimism about the future of the negotiating process. Separate attention at the meeting centered on the need for observing the principle of the equality of the sides, as per an agreement reached earlier. Igor Smirnov said that sustainable viable solution could not be found in the face of constant pressure on one side of the conflict.

" - Therefore, I think that by carrying out the will of our people, and - keep this in mind - carrying out the will of the Moldovan people as well, we will find a common language to help us approach the solution of our problems. And most importantly, we must do so in a way that will not interfere with the lives of the people who live in Moldova and who live in the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic," emphasized Igor Smirnov.

See also:
» Presidents of Moldova, Transdniestria meet for talks in Transdniestria
» Moldova asks EU and USA to cancel visa blacklist for Transdniestrians
» Transnistria to Moldova: “We just want to be friends…!”