Democrats criticize Ghimpu for seeking NATO help with Transnistria

The Moldovan Democratic Party (PDM) is disapproving of the recent move by acting President Mihai Ghipu, who has requested NATO assistance with persuading Russia to withdraw its troops from Moldova's Transnistrian region, the PDM said in a statement, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. The PDM described the move as “utterly inopportune”. “While having a strong electoral undertone, such public interventions don't contribute in any way to the settlement of the Tranisnistrian issue, carrying a dangerous potential of creating impediments to the next government. Furthermore, the anti-Russian rhetoric may lead to strained relationship between Moldova and Russia and undermine the European diplomatic efforts in the Transnistrian settlement process”, reads the statement. “We consider a potential NATO involvement in the settlement process to be a dangerous initiative, which may erode the constitutional foundation of Moldova and undermine its neutrality status, this being a clear guaranty for the territorial unity of the country”, the PDM argued. On Friday, November 12, acting President Mihai Ghimpu said he sent a letter to the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Anders Fogh Rasmussen, asking him to provide support in the pullout of the Russian troops from the Transnistrian region. Mihai Ghimpu expressed his certitude that the withdrawal will create preconditions for a peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian dispute