Discussions on restoration of fixed-line phone connection between Chisinau and Tiraspol continue at expert level

From technical viewpoint, Chisinau and Tiraspol area ready to restore the direct fixed-line telephone connection between the two banks of the Nistru, but they still need political will, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Eugen Carpov said in a program on Radio Moldova on July 16, Info-Prim Neo reports. “Only political will is needed. There is definitely will in Chisinau and it should exist on the other bank of the river as well. We will work to convince our friends that it is better so. The Moldovans living on the two banks are not so rich to pay double for services,” said Eugen Carpov. According to the official, the groups of experts in telecommunications will meet next week to consider solutions for restoring the fixed-line telephone connection. Meetings between experts in other areas are also taking place. “Experts of the Railway and the Ministry of Transport and Road Infrastructure met with Transnistrian representatives and agreed a technical scheme as regards freight railway transportation through Transnistria. The customs representatives who deal with the documental side of the export-import operations at foreign level are to give their consent. A very clear mechanism should be created in the form of a working protocol,” said Eugen Carpov. He also said that Ukraine and the EU support the restoration of freight train routes via Transnistria through the EUBAM Mission, by offering the necessary consultancy and expertise. On July 12, Eugen Carpov met with the political representative of Tiraspol Vladimir Yastrebcheak. The meeting was held under an understanding reached by Premier Vlad Filat and the Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov during a football match played on Sheriff Stadium in Tiraspol last week.