Tiraspol’s representative to the Transnistrian conflict settlement Vitaly Ignatiev said a strategy for escalating the Transnistrian conflict, including by opening the joint Moldovan-Ukrainian border crossing point “Cuciurgan-Pervomaisc”, is being implemented. He was quoted by the Transnistrian press as saying that the opening of this checkpoint is a political measure aimed at exerting pressure on Transnistria, IPN reports.
“At the initial stage, the control could be insignificant and the problems caused to our citizens would be minimal as a result. But this does not mean that this control would not be extended and we will then witness the whole range of negative effects,” stated Ignatiev.
He referred to the perspective of opening other joint checkpoints, saying this way the region will be enclosed by a border fence that it could not cross without the consent of Chisinau and Kiev. “We cannot accept such a scenario. These are unilateral, forbidden acts that can have serious consequences,” said Ignatiev.
He also made reference to the international political players involved in the Transnistrian conflict settlement, saying the decisions that can have negative consequences for one of the sides should be taken by negotiation, not by pressure. “Experience shows that no unilateral measure taken during the conflict settlement period can bring benefits. On the contrary, the conflict is escalated,” he stated.
The joint Moldovan-Ukrainian border crossing point “Cuciurgan-Pervomaisc” was inaugurated by Prime Minister Pavel Filip and the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko on July 17. In the inaugural ceremony, Pavel Filip said the constitutional authorities make a clear difference between the so-called Transnistrian leaders and the citizens of the Republic of Moldova who live in Transnistria. He insisted that the joint checkpoint will work for the benefit of the business entities and the people.
