„Kosovo” Solution not an Option for Moldova – Vladimir Voronin

The intention of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin to use “Kosovo solution” as a model for all frozen conflicts will not be functional in the case of the Republic of Moldova, declared the Moldovan president Vladimir Voronin who is on an official meeting to Germany, in an interview given to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper. “Each conflict has its own causes and history. Transnistria, from its creation was transformed into a separatist zone for smuggling and money laundry. On the left bank of Nistru there are no free elections, no political parties, state structures nor civil organizations. Thus, the situation of the region has no tangency with the situation from Kosovo”, declared Voronin. According to the president, the wine crisis is also a consequence of the Transnistrian dispute. Halting the imports of the Moldovan wines on the Russian market is Moscow’s reaction to the introduction at the beginning of March of a new customs regime at the Moldovan-Ukrainian border. Voronin mentioned that this action was necessary because the zone was stimulating smuggling, inclusively with guns and narcotics. The president expressed his hope that Germany and EU will plead for fastening the evacuation of the Russian military troups and munitions in conformity with the Istanbul Agreement in 1999. As for the process of European integration of the Republic of Moldova, Voronin declared that he is not making any illusions this event will take place in the near future. “Moldova is far from this event, but the gradual reforms in economy and education system, according to the integration conditions represent a benefit for Moldova anyway, even if EU will stop for the moment the expansion process. Vladimir Voronin is on a work visit to Germany from May 15 to 16. The president met with the Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel, with the president of Bundestag Norbert Lammert and other official persons. As well, signing a Declaration regarding the cooperation intentions between the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Republic of Moldova and the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Germany is planned.