Smirnov: "Let's work together with Moldova to solve common problems"

Igor Smirnov believes his state has a better claim to formal diplomatic recognition than Kosovo under international law

TIRASPOL (Tiraspol Times) - Speaking to TV PMR and other representatives of local mass media Sunday, Pridnestrovie President Igor Smirnov commented on the application of the so-called "Kosovo precedent" to the international diplomatic recognition of the Republic of Pridnestrovie (also known as Transdniestria in English, as well as under its Romanian name; Transnistria).

" - Tiraspol has never directly connected the recognition of Pridnestrovie with recognition of Kosovo," emphasized Igor Smirnov, re-elected to the Presidency of the unrecognized country in late 2006. At the same time, he added that "Pridnestrovie has more legal rights for recognition than this Serbian province."

" - But what we are witnessing today is how international law has been replaced by the national interests of the United States and certain EU countries," he lamented.

" - We must defend the interests of Pridnestrovie and its people, just like in the same way the United States and the countries of the European Union feel that they have to defend their own interests," said the President of the Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublica (PMR).

Status talks with Moldova on equal terms

Referring to the theme of the negotiating process between Pridnestrovie and Moldova, Igor Smirnov noted that the negotiations must be conducted on an equal footing, and that all previously signed agreements between Chisinau and Tiraspol must be adhered to and respected by both sides.

This is the most important condition for a continuing dialogue, emphasized the top spokesman for the nearly eighteen year old 'de facto' independent country. In this case, Pridnestrovie's head of state noted that, unlike his Moldovan colleagues, he would not deceive the international community and its people by saying one thing and doing another.

" - Moldova constantly employs the use of force, including constant economic pressure, against Pridnestrovie. Under these conditions, it is impossible to speak of any equal status between the two sides," said Igor Smirnov.

OSCE should monitor compliance of earlier agreements

While speaking to the press, Smirnov expressed disappointment over the passivity of the representatives of the OSCE mission in Moldova. Tiraspol believes that the OSCE should work towards resuming the negotiating process between the Moldova and Pridnestrovie, provided that these talks can build upon the long series of already-negotiated results and agreements which have been reached in the past.

Past attempts at reaching common ground between Moldova and its smaller, independent-minded neighbor have been marked by a history of broken agreements and forgotten promises.

According to Tiraspol, the OSCE ought to analyze and monitor the degree to which each side has kept its promises on the basis of these previously signed documents, including commitments signed by Moldova whereby Moldova commits itself to abstain from the use of force (including the use of economic warfare) against the other side. A frequent complaint heard from both the PMR Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Speaker of PMR's Parliament is that Moldova has deliberately broken a large number of earlier agreements, and that it will be hard for Pridnestrovie to enter into any new arrangements with the Moldovans until they honor their earlier-acquired obligations towards their smaller neighbor.

At the same time, PMR President Smirnov feels that any talk of a future common state under Chisinau's rule is a wholly fictitious and unrealistic project, which is not based on the will of the two populations on either side of the Dniester river.

" - You can't join two things that are incompatible," said Igor Smirnov. "But it is of course possible for us to work together to find a solution to our common problems."

With this statement, the President of Pridnestrovie ruled out a joint state or union state where Pridnestrovie becomes part of Moldova. At the same time, however, he expressed his government's willingness to sit down with representatives from Moldova to work out their differences and normalize relations between the two sides.

See also:
» Transnistria wants Moldova to keep its word and respect earlier agreements
» Pridnestrovie Foreign Minister will sign new deals only if Moldova will keep them
» Igor Smirnov: "Moldova should keep its earlier agreements first"