The Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Nicu Popescu, is of the opinion that the subject of Transnistrian regulation has always been a sensitive one for politicians, but especially for citizens. In this regard, much caution and a better basis for potential solutions for this conflict are needed. However, certain sudden actions can destroy progress made in other areas. In a video interview for IPN, the minister said that the real priority for the current political class was to improve the governing conditions of those parts of the Republic of Moldova that are governed by Chisinau. Once the right side of the Dniester has become more attractive for the left side, one can proceed with the recreation of conditions for the Transnistrian settlement.
"Of course, there is a strong national consensus against both the federalization of the Republic of Moldova and the" Kozak memorandum " and the return to the principles of the Kozak memorandum and the principles of Transnistrian settlement that were discussed during 2002-2003. We have a strong political and social national consensus. And in this respect it remains to be seen what are the parameters of progress on Transnistrian regulation, but the feeling is that we must be very careful. We have very sensitive internal policy dossiers," said the head of the Moldovan diplomacy. According to him, the real priority is to improve the governing conditions of those parts of the Republic of Moldova that are governed by Chisinau. "And this concerns the necessary progress on justice reform, combating corruption, creation of jobs, decent wages."
Referring to the proposal made by the Russian Defense Minister Sergei Soigu regarding the liquidation of the Russian weapons and ammunition stored on the left bank of the Dniester, Nicu Popescu said that the Republic of Moldova has been requesting and insisting on the withdrawal of weapons for decades: "It may be destroyed if it cannot be withdrawn." According to the minister, Chisinău also asks Russia to withdraw its troops from the territory of the Republic of Moldova and through these measures to attain normal relations with the Russian Federation, as with other countries.
"And obviously we welcome any progress in this direction. At the same time, we are part of an internationalized Transnistrian settlement process. The Russian Federation’s commitments to withdraw its troops from the Republic of Moldova were also taken within the OSCE framework. That is why we certainly want the process of withdrawal or destruction of weaponry to move forward, but in a transparent manner, involving all international players, international organizations, including the OSCE, which help us”, noted Nicu Popescu.
The Foreign Minister says that the neutrality status of the Republic of Moldova has been and remains a consensus of the political class and this principle is found in the Constitution since it was adopted in 1994. "The expectation and intention of the political class in Chisinau was that this status could provide an additional argument for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of the Republic of Moldova. This consensus has not changed and the Republic of Moldova remains neutral according to the Constitution. The current government, alike the previous governments, continues to insist on the need to withdraw the Russian troops.”
The video interview given to the IPN Press Agency by the Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu is part of "Relations of the Republic of Moldova with the development partners" cycle, supported by Hans Seiddel German Foundation.