The reaction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova concerning the Russian Ambassador’s participation in an event staged by Tiraspol, which called on the diplomats to refrain from taking part in such events, is bewildering, said the spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Maria Zakharova. According to her, in Chisinau it is known very well that Russia does not question the territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, is the guarantor and mediator of the Transnistrian settlement process and pleads for the progressive development of the Moldovan-Russian relations, in line with the principles set down in the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty of 2001. Zakharova noted the Russian Ambassador’s actions fully comply with these principles, IPN reports.

“In Chisinau, they should also realize that without maintaining contact with the parties to the conflict, it is impossible to fulfill the duties of mediator in the Transnistrian settlement. Moreover, the duties of any ambassador include the development of ties with the regions of the host country and maintaining of contacts with the diaspora in the own country,” stated Maria Zakharova.

“We hope our Moldovan partners will refrain from politicizing the activities of the Embassy of Russia in Chisinau.”

After the Ambassador of Russia in Moldova Oleg Vasnetsov took part in a live-streamed event staged by the Transnistrian bodies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration reacted, reminding the Moldovan authorities’ request for the diplomats residing in Moldova to refrain from participating in activities staged by the Transnistrian bodies, “which are used for propaganda purposes and for political speculations in this region of the Republic of Moldova.”