The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova requested, at the OSCE Council, the withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria
The Republic of Moldova reiterated on Friday the request regarding the withdrawal of the Russian troops illegally staying on the territory of the republic (on the left of the Dniester) and declares itself determined to resolve the Transnistrian conflict “exclusively through dialogue and peaceful means”, based on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova within its internationally recognized borders, reports Ziarul Naţional from Chişinău.
This statement was made by Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu, Deputy Prime Minister, during the 29th Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which takes place in Lódz, in Poland.
“I reiterated in my intervention that the illegal presence of Russian military forces continues to violate the sovereignty and neutrality of the Republic of Moldova. The complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops and their munitions from the territory of the Republic of Moldova, in accordance with the relevant commitments of the 1999 OSCE summit in Istanbul and with Resolution 72/282 of 2018 of the United Nations General Assembly is imperative,” he said. declared Nicu Popescu.
The Moldovan minister told his counterparts from the 56 OSCE participating states, 11 partners for cooperation and several senior officials from other international organizations that the authorities in Chisinau are “deeply concerned” about the ongoing human rights violations in the Transnistrian region.
Nicu Popescu also referred, in his speech, to the dramatic consequences of the Russian aggression on Ukraine and the impact for the Republic of Moldova in terms of energy and socio-economics.
“I reaffirmed that Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine threatens peace, security and prosperity in Europe, and is a flagrant violation of international law, the Helsinki Final Act and the UN Charter. Our republic stands in solidarity with Ukraine in the fight for freedom. We remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders,” he said.
“We will continue to provide support to the more than 80,000 Ukrainian refugees who have found shelter in the Republic of Moldova and will provide them with the necessary humanitarian assistance,” added the head of Moldovan diplomacy.
Despite the multiple challenges, the authorities of the Republic of Moldova remain firmly committed to the irreversible path to the European Union, the Moldovan deputy prime minister emphasized, according to the National Newspaper in Chisinau, quoted by Agerpres.
“R. Moldova is and will remain part of the free world. This year I was a candidate for the EU. We continue to advance on the path of reforms in the justice system, fighting corruption, investing in renewable sources, modernizing our economy. We are grateful for the support we receive bilaterally and through the Support Platform for the Republic of Moldova, initiated by Romania, France and Germany”, said Nicu Popescu.
Editor: Liviu Cojan