Vladimir Voronin hopes to unfrozen relationships with Russia within CIS Summit

The president of Moldova, Vladimir Voronin hopes to unfrozen the present relationships with the Russian Federation within CIS Summit. During an interview offered to the radio station „Эхо Москвы”, Voronin said that he hopes to be able to discuss with Vladimir Putin the bilateral measures needed to be undertaken by both parts in order “to normalize the relationships and especially the Transnistrian problem”. Asked about the efficiency of the dialogue within CIS, Voronin said that he does not consider that all possibilities within CIS are finished “as some persons consider or try to convince us”. In order to promote CIS, Voronin considers that the parts should agree on the political component and on the place and role of CIS. “In this way the problem of integration, cooperation and intergovernmental relationships will be solved easier”, the head of state said. Referring to the initiative of Moldovan MPs to withdraw from CIS, Voronin said that this issue was included democratically on the discussion schedule in Parliament and namely those MPs who had this idea requested to cancel the proposal. “That proves the high level of the discussions and the necessity to stay in CIS”, Voronin said. Asked why he personally considers necessary the membership of Moldova in CIS, Voronin said that in the Republic of Moldova population pleads in favor of CIS and of a tight relationship with Russia. “The markets of Russia, Ukraine and other CIS member states mean much more than economy for Moldova. Moldovans, according to Voronin consider that Russia is the guaranty of their country’s existence and activity and that the relationships of Moldova with Russia depend on its place in CIS and its relationships with the rest of member countries. The cause of worsening the relationships with Russia is according to Voronin the Transnistrian problem. The Moldovan president says that he does not understand why the Russian leadership supports already openly the Transnistrian regime. “Why don’t we understand each other? Because the Cooperation, Friendship and Partnership Agreement ratified in 2002 by Moldova and Russia stipulates that the Russian Federation recognizes the territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova and its boundaries from January 1, 1991. In this agreement it is also said that both parts condemn any form of separatism”. Because of this, Voronin says that he can not understand the actions of Russia by which the Transnistrian leader is called president and as well of the fact that the Russian MPs visit Transnistria and support the independence referendum of Transnistria and its joining to Russia”. Asked why he allows such an attitude regarding Moldova, Voronin said that “we might bear, but there are norms of international law, diplomacy and other possibilities”. In this context he did not exclude the possibility of addressing to European structures in case the diplomatic discussions with Russia will give no results. “Transnistria is not only an island for contrabandists, it is also a territory out of any control”, Voronin said. Voronin declared that according to the legislation of the Republic of Moldova, inhabitants of Transnistria have all the legal rights, including to vote. “They vote in Moldova, if they need medical aid they receive it, have Moldovan identity documents, perform business activities in all markets of Chisinau, where even a market named Tiraspolskaia is functioning”, the head of state said. In conclusion, Vladimir Voronin said that he believes that the Transnistrian problem can be solved during the presidential seat of Vladimir Putin, mentioning that there are real pre-conditions for this.