Ukrainian minister of Internal Affairs confirmed his country will not recognize the Tiraspol referendum

The ministry of Internal Affairs of the Ukraine, Iurie Lutenco, during a work visit in Chisinau, has reiterated his country will not recognize the so-called referendum from the Transnistrian side of Moldova and will not send observers to the event. The Ukrainian official made this declaration during a meeting with prime-minister Vasile Tarlev. According to a Government press release, during the meting Lutenco expressed the concerns of the Ukrainian MIA regarding the high level of criminal activity on the Transnistrian segment of the border. The Ukraine official also mentioned the contribution of the EU mission to counter smuggling and other malefic factors and confirmed that Ukraine endorses the mission. Premier Vasile Tarlev highly appreciated the trilateral collaboration of Republic of Moldova – Ukraine – European Union in monitoring the Moldo-Ukraine border, and announced he encourages the extension of the EU Mission responsibilities at the border, and the increase of the mission monitoring period. Previously, the speaker of the Ukrainian diplomacy Andrei Descitea, declared that Ukraine will not recognize the results of the Transnistrian pro-freedom referendum that is scheduled for September 17. “Ukraine assures Chisinau officials that it will not recognize the results of this referendum, thus joining the European Union decision”, the Ukrainian diplomat stated, mentioning that the Kiev government will not send official observers to the Transnistrian referendum.