Prime Minister Iurie Leanca called on the participants in the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks in the 5+2 format to immediately start monitoring the Security Zone. In a news conference in Germany, the official said the participants in the negotiations should discover the causes of the tensions existing in the region, IPN reports.

The Premier began his speech by saying that the economic development of the Transnistrian region is very important. Over 40% of the region’s production is sold on the right bank of the Nistru River, 25%-30% is exported to the EU, while 19% is exported to Russia. Iurie Leanca said it is very important that the Transnistrian companies cooperate with the European market. That’s why they asked the EU to allow Transnistria to benefit from preferential trade with the EU member states by the end of 2015.

The official said that no process is static; the economy is developing. He proposed creating a working group on trade and economy involving businessmen. Iurie Leanca added that the constitutional authorities are ready for any type of cooperation.

He also said that there are real preconditions for ensuring the free movement of the population over the Nistru. The bridge in Gura Bicului may be reopened soon. Steps can be taken to improve the cooperation between the law enforcement bodies from the two banks of the Nistru so as to maintain peace in the Security Zone and to provide reciprocal assistance in exceptional cases.

Iurie Leanca underlined that the Moldovan authorities are ready to find solutions to unblock the telephone connection between the two banks of the Nistru and proposed opening consultations in this respect.

On the sidelines of the conference “Confidence-building measures in the process of settling the Transnistrian conflict” held in Germany, Iurie Leanca had a meeting with the Transnistrian leader Yevgeny Shevchuk. The Premier said that before leaving Germany, he will explain the benefits of creating a Free Trade Area with the EU to Shevchuk.