US Ambassador in Chisnau and the head of OSCE Mission reiterate their support for the new customs regime at Moldovan-Ukrainian border

Starting the activity of EU Assistance Mission at Moldovan-Ukrainian border, together with implementation, jointly with Ukraine and the legalizing measures of import-export operations of businessmen of Transnistrian region is a key element for the success of the efforts of peaceful solving of the problem continuing in east of the country. Heather Hodges, US extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador in Moldova, announced about this during the meeting the meeting with the head of the state Vladimir Voronin. According to presidency press service, discussions regarding the cooperation between Moldova and territorial reintegration, speeding up of democratic reforms and joining EU. Vladimir Voronin appreciated highly US contribution to internationalization of Transnistrian conflict, giving an impetus of European and international structures towards this subject. President Vladimir Voronin met as well on Tuesday William Hill, the head of OSCE Mission in Moldova. These two during the meeting made opinion exchanges regarding the implementation process of the new customs regime at Moldovan-Ukrainian frontier. They underscored the importance of the latter one in order to ensure a transparent and legal customs control at Moldovan-Ukrainian border, according to international standards. Vladimir Voronin and William Hill noted that implementing this agreement has to be an irreversible process. They agreed that it cannot be talked about creation of an economic blockade in Transnistrian region, but about a self-isolation of authorities of Tiraspol, businessmen of this area having at their disposal all legal conditions to make export and import operations. In this context, William Hill mentioned that, according to reports of OSCE Mission experts, monitoring the situation in the region, in eastern districts of the country there is no humanitarian crisis, this being an invention of authorities of Tiraspol. There were discussed as well subjects regarding the Transnistrian regulation process. The next negotiation round in Transnistrian issue is foreseen for the beginning of April.