Moldovan government reiterates that new customs rules for Transnistrians will remain in effect

The government released a declaration on Friday, March 24 reiterating that the customs rules for foreign trade deals and registration rules for the Transnistria-based economic agents will be effective until elaboration of a mechanism to regulate these relations within the definitive political resolution of the Transnistrian problem. According to the declaration, the government guarantees respect for the right to property of individuals and businesses from the Transnistrian region registered with the competent bodies of Moldova. According to a press release, Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin attended a Friday sitting of the cabinet of ministers, which discussed the situation in the eastern districts of the country and summarised the internal and external actions of Moldovan authorities concerning the Transnistrian problem. Deputy Premier Andrei Stratan, Reintegration Minister Vasile Sova, Minister of Transportation and Road Management Miron Gagauz, Deputy Interior Valentin Zubic, Customs Service deputy chairman Anatolie Barbarosie, and Minister of Information Development Vladimir Molojen presented reports at the sitting. The press release did not reveal the topics of talks or reports. Voronin said that „the peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict does not have an alternative,” but noted that the actions taken by Moldovan authorities for reintegration of the country should not affect the interests of citizens from the left bank of the Dniester river.