Transnistria speaker ready for armed conflict because of 'blockade'

“The complicated situation in Transnistria caused by the economic blockade can trigger an armed conflict”, Yevgeni Shevchuk, the head of Transnistria's legislative body, was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying on Friday. “The worsening of the economic situation in Transnistria leads to increasing poverty and migration and radicalizes the society”, stated Shevchuk. What Shevchuk labeled an 'economic blockade' is a customs arrangement agreed between Moldova, Ukraine and the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM), meant to stem the smuggling which originates on the territory controlled by the rebel authorities. According to the separatist authorities, since 2006 the Transnistrian companies have been forced to pay taxes twice – in Tiraspol and then in Chisinau, because Ukraine recognizes only Moldovan customs papers.