The Moldovan authorities’ decision concerning the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Transnistrian region was necessary and is welcome and this should be permanently updated, while Moldova’s efforts should be consistent so as to internationalize this issue because the Republic of Moldova cannot solve it alone, Liberal MP Roman Botan stated in the public debate ”Request to withdraw Russian troops from Moldova’s territory: legality, advantages, risks and dangers” that was staged by IPN News Agency.

“In this regard, the Moldovan diplomatic service should make effort for all the international players to know in essence the problem and the pressure exerted on the Russian Federation should bring results in the future. The Republic of Moldova cannot settle the conflict by itself and the international partners’ support is essential,” stated the MP.

Roman Botan also said that a common position and view is needed to resolve the Transnistrian dispute, including on the pullout of the Russian troops, in the spirit of the law, regardless of the political color. “It is evident that some representatives of the political forces serve not the interests of the Republic of Moldova, but foreign interests. It is evident whose interests – of the state that caused an undeclared war in the neighboring state, for example,” he noted, mentioning that all Moldova’s actions should be aimed at the peaceful settlement of the conflict.

According to Roman Botan, when analyzing the context in which the statement on the withdrawal of Russian troops was issued, it seems that the government was sincere. “One day before, there was adopted the mixed-member electoral system, together with the Socialists. Thus, two forces with fully different views on a particular problem voted in concert. This statement was adopted the next day. Surely, the Liberal group always supports the resolution of this conflict by peaceful ways, but also by international efforts. Our view is known. I think the government is not fully sincere,” stated the MP.

He noted the Russian Federation recognized Moldova’s independence in its current borders and, from legal viewpoint, there are no arguments in favor of escalating a new conflict. “It is well known that the relations between Chisinau and Tiraspol are usually based on unilateral concessions on the part of Chisinau, which is not right, to my mind. But this fact shows that we want this problem to be solved by peaceful ways,” said Roman Botan.

The public debate ”Request to withdraw Russian troops from Moldova’s territory: legality, advantages, risks and dangers” was the 76th installment of the series of debates “Developing political culture by public debates” that are staged with support from the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany.