Talks on new statute for Transnistria held in Moscow

The issue regarding the elaboration of a statute for the Transnistrian region, in light of the territorial integrity of Moldova, is again included in the agenda of the Moldovan-Russian relations. The necessity of reintroducing this issue in the agenda was the subject of the discussions held in Moscow between officials from Moldova and the Russian Federation. According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, , deputy minister Grigori Karasin and deputy secretary of the Russian Security Council, Iuri Zubakov met on Thursday with Mark Tkaciuc, the counselor of President Vladimir Voronin, and minister of Reintegration Vasili Sova. The ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the Russian Federation, Vasili Sturza participated in the meeting as well. The discussion tackled the need for a solution which could unblock talks on the political settlement of the Transnistrian dispute. The representatives of the Russian Federation mentioned that Moscow is willing to help the representatives of Chisinau and Tiraspol to resume this activity. The negotiations on the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict were interrupted in late February, because the parties involved in the conflict did not manage to reach an agreement concerning a series of issues.