Moldovan Foreign Ministry recalls ambassador from Moscow for consultations, delivers letter to Russian Foreign Ministry

Moldova’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration has recalled Ambassador to Russia Vasile Sturza from Moscow for consultations in connections with the recent statements in Chisinau by Russian Ambassador Nikolai Ryabov. The ministerial press service told Info-Prim Neo that the diplomatic institution has also delivered a letter to the Russian counterpart institution regarding Ryabov’s statements. The content of the letter was not disclosed. Ambassador Ryabov criticised at a press conference on Monday the Moldovan authorities, saying that the introduction of the new customs regime at the Moldovan-Ukrainian border was „just a pretext, while the action was premeditated.” „At first stage, [Moldova] wants to jeopardize the Transnistrian budget for 2006 and to fuel a social explosion this way. Then the administration in the region may be toppled and a warmer one would be installed. Moldova is violating previous agreements this way,” the diplomat stated. It was not clear whether the Russian Foreign Ministry has replied the Moldovan official letter.