President Maia Sandu at the current stage cannot say when and if she will have a meeting with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin. In an interview for the Russian publication Kommersant, President Sandu noted that when a new Government is formed in Chisinau, this will start to work with the Russian Government, including for organizing a meeting with the President of the Russian Federation, IPN reports.
“We are interested in a pragmatic basic conversation. We have an agenda typical of the problems we must address,” stated Maia Sandu.
Asked if she is ready to take part in the CIS Summit that is usually held at yearend, if this takes place offline, Maia Sandu said the best format for Moldova must be decided so as to discuss all the problems with the President of Russia and with the Government. “When the new Government is formed, we will start these discussions and will find a better format for talking and will start work on a bilateral agenda.”
Asked what subjects can be discussed with the Russian President, Maia Sandu said among these can be the economic and commercial problems, the opening up of the Russian market for Moldovan products based on the agreement signed within the CIS, the issues related to the Moldovans working in Russia, social security matters and, surely, the Transnistrian conflict as the Russian munitions and troops should be withdrawn from the Transnistrian region. The solution to this conflict should be discussed in the country first and then with those involved in the 5 + 2 format.
Maia Sandu reiterated that Moldova wants to have good relations with the West and with the East and these relations should take into account the country’s interests. She noted that for the country, the relations with the EU are fundamental as the main assistance in all the areas comes from the EU, but the foreign economic policy will be active and will be based on the country’s interests.
