The statement on the Transnistrian conflict settlement that was signed in Kiev by the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine, Dmitri Medvedev and Viktor Yanukovych, on May 17 does not run counter to the national interests of Moldova. On the contrary, it provides new opportunities, the executive director of the Foreign Policy Association Victor Chirila has told Info-Prim Neo. The foreign policy expert said both Medvedev and Yanukovych accepted the idea of transforming the peacekeeping mission working in Transnistria. Until present, it was backed only the idea of modifying the peacekeeping mission after the conflict was solved. “It is a new formula that satisfies our wish to transform the peacekeeping mission into an international one. It is a step that can help open new consultations on this subject. I think that the EU and U.S. should take this opportunity and make this subject a permanent topic in the discussions with Russian,” Victor Chirila said. Another positive element for Moldova is that Russia and Ukraine consider the talks must take place in the 5+2 format and underline the importance of this format. Victor Chirila said the fact that Medvedev and Yanukovych agreed that the Transnistrian conflict must be solved by observing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova and by granting a special status to the Transnistrian region so as to create a common economic, military and legal area is a message for the leader of the breakaway republic, Igor Smirnov. “It is an important aspect as common area does not mean two equal parts, as discussed earlier,” the expert said. Victor Chirila stressed that an unfavorable aspect for Moldova is the fact that Moscow treats the Transnistrian region and Moldova as equal partners and forces the Moldovan authorities to discuss with the Transnistrian ones from equal positions. “This is not right as the Transnistrian region is not recognized and the attempt to make Moldova accept the regime is exaggerated,” Chirila said. Asked why the text of the statement was not discussed with the Moldovan authorities, Victor Chirila said it was Moscow's decision rather than Kiev's as the Russian authorities did not want to give advantages to certain Moldovan political forces given that an electoral campaign could start soon. Victor Chirila approved of the Moldovan Deputy Premier for Integration Victor Osipov's dialogue tactics that are aimed at finding common points, not at confrontation. “These tactics do not produce immediate results. Attempts are made to find common points with Russia and Ukraine without rejecting the reached agreements, including the statement of March 18, 2009 signed by Voronin, Medvedev and Smirnov, which was dictated by certain electoral interests,” the expert said. Chirila also said that the Kiev statement shows the relations between the EU and Russia became warmer. “I think that the statement comes to meet the EU's wishes too as it takes into account the views of the European community. The EU tries to bring Russia to a consensual dialogue,” Victor Chirila said.