Nicu Popescu demanded in Moscow the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Republic of Moldova
Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu told a joint news conference in Moscow with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that the meeting was about “strengthening political dialogue – including at a high level between the two countries.” intensifying economic and trade relations and reaching an end to the agreement on social protection of Moldovan citizens working in the Russian Federation, as well as on the “settlement of the Transnistrian conflict”:
“Regarding the presence of the Russian Troops Task Force in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, our position remains unchanged: this is contrary to the status of neutrality in the Constitution of Moldova and the withdrawal of Russian troops remains a priority of our foreign policy.”
The head of the Moldovan diplomacy repeated Chisinau’s request for the resumption of the process of withdrawal of Russian troops from the Transnistrian region and the destruction of ammunition stored at the Cobasna depot.
In turn, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: “I had a constructive discussion with Mr. Nicolae Popescu. It was a good discussion. We have expressed our will to continue cooperation between countries in the interest of their citizens. We have heard the confirmation for maintaining the relations between our states. I heard the confirmation of maintaining the “statehood” of the Republic of Moldova provided by the country’s Constitution. We talked about the goods market. I felt a desire from the authorities to resume the discussions in the 5 + 2 format, which we welcome. “.
Sergei Lavrov rejected recent statements by the high representative of the European Union about the pressures that Russia has exerted on Moldova on the issue of gas supply.
“I noted that several of our Western colleagues, including the increasingly active representative of the European Union, Mr Borrell, when they commented on these positive agreements, for some reason considered it appropriate and possible for the Russian Federation to act. put political pressure on Moldova. Not true. These are continuous attempts to misinterpret what is happening in our common space. ” said the head of diplomacy in Moscow, used the opportunity to criticize the West again.
Nicu Popescu also said that a plan of consultations was signed between the foreign ministries of the two countries for the period 2022-2023 and together with his host they welcomed the agreement concluded between Moldova Gaz and Gazprom for the delivery of gas to Moldova for the next 5 years.