The Government of Moldova is against reopening the airdrome in Tiraspol because there is no such necessity. The Chisinau International Airport that is situated only 60 km from Tiraspol can satisfy the needs of the region, Minister of Defense Vitalie Marinuta said in an interview for Radio Free Europa, IPN reports.

The minister said the problems of the Russian contingent detached in the Transnistrian region can be solved by using the Chisinau airport or the road, as until now. Asked about the equipment of the Transnistrian region with helicopters by Russia, Vitalie Marinuta said he does not believe that this is possible.

“If we examine the legal provisions concerning the status of the Russian forces on Moldova’s territory and the international legislation, we see that this is not possible. At the same time, in order to bring additional Russian armament into the Security Zone, Ukraine, which holds the OSCE chairmanship, must give its consent to transiting its territory. I don’t think that Ukraine will allow this,” stated the minister.

Vitalie Marinuta expressed his conviction that even if the Russian Ministry of Defense expresses such an intention, there will be tough negotiations as the Government of Moldova repeatedly stated its position on the demilitarization of the Transnistrian region, especially of the Security Zone. The minister said the Moldovan Government is making everything possible to promote the idea of modifying the format of the peacekeeping mission in the Security Zone.

He added that the work of the Joint Control Commission has been practically blocked over the last six weeks. The international community and the participants in the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks in the 5+2 format must understand that the format of the mission should be changed.