Transnistrian referendum was a response to the new customs regime – Russian official

The decision to carry out a referendum in Transnistria was a reaction to the introduction of the an apparent economic blockade in light of changing the customs regime at the Moldovan-Ukrainian border, Grigori Karasin, deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation declared. According to him, starting March, a social-economic tension emerged among the population – a feeling of insecurity. In this context, the leadership of the region decided to strengthen its position through a plebiscite, the Russian official declared. According to him, even if the results of the referendum were predictable, they are important not only as a confirmation of population’s support regarding the present course of region’s leadership, but also as a signal to the world community, which “sometimes is not considering the concerns of Transnistrians”, Karasin states. Karasin also said that the referendum organized on the left bank of Nistru is an important political indicator for renewing talks between Chisinau and Tiraspol. The Transnistrian dispute can be solved through political methods, not through sanctions. At present this fact is understood by the Ukrainian side and to a greater extent lately by the Moldovan side, the Russian official considers. The cited source declared that Russia is willing to resume talks and it discusses with the mediators and the parts involved in the conflict. Karasin will soon pay a visit to Chisinau and Tiraspol. The so-called referendum on independence of the Transnistrian region of Moldova took place on September 17. According to the results announced by the administration of the unrecognized administration from Tiraspol, about 97% of the voters pleaded in favor of Transnistria’s independence and subsequent possibility to join Russia. The international community did not recognize the results of the referendum and condemned its organization, whilst the official Kremlin did not present any official standpoint.