The Tiraspol speaker of parliament Yevgeni Shevchuk wants reaching out to Moldova for friendship and cooperation by “opening some channels of direct communication with the neighboring country,” writes The Tiraspol Times, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. Yevgeni Shevchuk wants a dialog with the President of the Moldovan Parliament to solve a series of shared problems faced by both sides. But, the Tiraspol-based publication insists “it is out of the question to give up Transnistria's 18 year old de-facto independence”. "We believe it is necessary to meet with Moldova’s Government, Parliament officials, to improve the situation for the benefit of both sides," says the manque speaker of the Tiraspol legislature. Shevchuk wants concrete steps that can contribute to the economic recovery of both Transdniester and Moldova, as well as ease the free movement of citizens across the border. Speaker Shevchuk’s statement comes on the heels of the first meeting in 7 years between President Vladimir Voronin and Tiraspol leader Igor Smirnov, what the Moldovan side described as having taken place „in a constructive atmosphere”. Smirnov said after the meeting that he showed “cautious optimism”.