Tiraspol official responsible for external relations: Negotiations halted because of parliamentary elections in Moldova

“The Transnistrian Republic is ready to negotiate with Moldova on the basis of the joint statement, signed in Moscow on March 18 by Russia, the Transnistrian Republic and the Republic of Moldova,” Vladimir Yastrebchak, the Tiraspol official responsible for external affairs, told a news conference in Tiraspol, Info-Prim Neo's correspondent reports. The negotiations have been suspended because of the parliamentary elections in Moldova, set for end-July, said the Tiraspol official. “The Foreign Ministry does not rule out that Moldova could harshen its control over imports, not only for ready-made goods, but also for the raw materials the Transnistrian companies need,” said Vladimir Yastrebchak, and specified the Transnistrian authorities “negotiate with Ukraine to prevent worsening the social-economic state from the region." The Moscow declaration will have severe consequences on the talks over the Transnistrian conflict, said analysts from Chisinau after the document had been signed. Through Vladimir Voronin's signing that statement, the Chisinau authorities have accepted the formula of Russia, entailing that Transnistria is an equal part in the talks, as legally equal as Moldova is, although the later is a recognized state, they remark.