The legislative body voted a statement on the situation in Moldova’s eastern districts after two days of debates held behind closed doors. Parliament calls on the sides involved on the Transnistrian conflict and the guarantor countries to sit at the negotiating table and to take decisions in a clam atmosphere. The Liberals headed by Mihai Ghimpu, Igor Dodon’s Socialists and unaffiliated MP Mihai Godea didn’t vote for the statement, arguing it is sterile, IPN reports.

Mihai Ghimpu said after the Parliament’s sitting that they proposed modifying the 5+2 format of the talks so that Russia becomes an observer instead of mediator and guarantor in the negotiation process. They also asked changing the peacekeeping mission’s status. But their proposals were rejected.

Mihai Godea stated that the problem was addressed superficially. “The debates on the issue were beyond criticism. The MPs’ rejected the proposal to stipulate the necessity of Russia withdrawing its troops and munitions in the statement,” he said.

Igor Dodon said he and his colleagues consider that the Transnistrian conflict can be settled only by federalization. “These discussions were pointless, while the statement is sterile,” added the Socialist MP.

On the other hand, Liberal-Democratic MP Valeriu Strelet said the adopted statement aims to maintain a positive balance in the negotiation process. “If we had wanted to block the negotiations, we could have made different statements,” he stated.

Communist MP Artur Reshetnikov said that by this statement they managed to overcome a provocation in the region. “The statement is balanced. Most of our proposals were accepted. We consider that this statement can serve as a basis for peacefully resolving the dispute,” he said.

The statement will be published in the Official Gazette and on the Parliament’s website.