Russia backs Voronin's efforts in settling Transnistria issue

Russia's President Dmitri Medvedev will meet with Transnistria's leader Igor Smirnov, Russian presidential counselor Sergei Prihodko was quoted by Itar-Tass as announcing. “We are preparing ourselves for a serious discussion with Mr. Smirnov”, Prihodko said. “Our position on supporting Vladimir Voronin's efforts concerning the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict has been unequivocally asserted during the recent meeting of the presidents in Sochi”, added Sergei Prihodko. Meanwhile, Transnistria's special envoy to Russia Grigore Maracuta dismissed reports that Tiraspol and Chisinau were ready to return to talks on the so-called Kozak Memorandum, as stated by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. “A referendum was held in which the people of the Moldovan Transdnestrian Republic expressed its will, and this will must be respected. There is a need for talks with Moldova to arrange for a civilized breakup”, Maracuta said.