Chisinau must at a certain moment switch to direct talks on the Transnistrian issue with Moscow, considers Romanian President Traian Basescu, who pronounced on the matter in a special edition of the program “In Depth” on Pro TV Chisinau channel, IPN reports.
“We all must put our hope in the 5+2 format and have confidence in it. But, as an interested state that knows where the key to the problem is – in Moscow – we would not count on the 5+2 format only. Sooner or later, Chisinau and Moscow must switch to direct dialogue,” said the Romanian official.
Traian Basescu said that the 5+2 format allowed things to drag on. As a result, state bodies were strengthened on the territory of the Transnistrian region. “The problem wasn’t resolved rapidly, immediately after the Transnistrian conflict. The prolongation of these negotiations only gives time to the illegitimate Transnistrian authorities to strengthen themselves. It is clear that Moldova cannot continually wait for a solution to be produced at the 5+2 talks. It will have to ask for direct talks with Russia at a certain moment,” said the Romanian head of state.
According to Traian Basescu, Moldova is an independent and sovereign state and, if it concentrates its efforts on having open discussions with Russia over the next few years, diplomatic resources will be found for this, without omitting the 5+2 format. “A direct dialogue between Chisinau and Moscow may facilitate solution finding in the 5+2 format,” said the Romanian President.
Traian Basescu had been in Chisinau on an official visit on July 17, at the invitation of Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti
