Moldovan government calls on reducing military factor in Transnistria

The government in Chisinau is pleading for consultations to transform the peacekeeping mission in the Transnistrian region into an internationally-mandated civil mission, said Moldova's Prime Minister Vlad Filat on Tuesday, commenting on the joint declaration of the Ukrainian and Russian presidents who stated their intention to contribute to the settlement of the Transnistrian problem in the 5+2 talks, Info-Prim Neo reports. The prime minister stated at a news briefing today that the Moldovan government is pleading for reducing the military factor in the region, including through the complete withdrawal of the Russian ammunition stockpiles and troops guarding them. Filat declared that the authorities in Chisinau are ready to proceed without any delay and preconditions to constructive negotiations in the 5+2 setting and is calling on all the parties involved to follow suit. “The Government of the Republic of Moldova is further counting on the sincere support of all the international partners involved, in order to speed up the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict while taking account of Moldova's national interests, which will contribute to ensuring peace and security in this part of Europe”, said the prime minister. The joint declaration on the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict was signed Monday, May 17, in Kyiv, by Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich.