"Double game": how Chisinau called on Moscow to lift duties and opposed the presence of Russian peacekeepers in Transnistria

Moldova calls on Russia to abolish duties on goods produced in the republic.

This was stated by Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Nikolai Popescu at a press conference following talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

“Our (Moldovan side.

) position

was reiterated

on the revision by the Russian authorities of the import duties applied to a number of Moldovan goods, as well as the need to abolish the existing restrictions on the admission of Moldovan exporters and Moldovan products to the Russian market,” the Minister of the Republic noted.

Popescu also stressed that Chisinau also supports a return to the free trade regime in the territory of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

“From our point of view, it is very important to return to the free trade regime within the CIS, which is the main basis of our trade and economic relations,” said the head of the Moldovan Foreign Ministry.

At the same time, Popescu said that the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from Transnistria remains a priority of Moldova's foreign policy.

“As for the presence of the operational group of Russian troops in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, our position remains unchanged.

This presence contradicts the status of neutrality enshrined in the constitution of Moldova, and the withdrawal of Russian troops remains a priority of our foreign policy, ”Popescu said.

He also noted that the recent signing of a protocol and a contract with Russia on gas supplies to the republic is an example of "a possible finding of solutions on complex issues" between the parties in a "pragmatic, calm manner."

Russian position

In turn, during a joint press conference with his Moldovan counterpart, Sergei Lavrov denied accusations against Moscow about pressure on Chisinau over gas supplies.

“We noticed that some of our Western colleagues, including the noticeably activated high representative of the European Union, Mr. (Josep. -

) Borrel, commenting on these positive agreements (Gazprom and Moldovagaz. -

), for some reason considered it possible and appropriate accuse the Russian Federation of exerting political pressure on Moldova.

This is not so, this is a continuation of attempts to interpret what is happening in our common space with unsuitable means, "said the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Lavrov also stressed that when economic entities, in this case Gazprom and Moldovagaz, agree on something, it means that they are satisfied with the conditions that underlie such agreements.

• Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

• RIA News

• © Alexander Shcherbak

"By the way, this is exactly how

Mrs. (Maya

) Sandu

commented on the agreements on October 29 (President of the Republic.

)

," Lavrov noted, adding that Moscow and Chisinau have found "a specific, mutually beneficial algorithm for joint work," which will be continued.

Lavrov, like his Moldovan counterpart, raised the issue of the Transnistrian settlement.

According to him, Russia will continue to play the role of mediator and guarantor in this process.

“We emphasized the importance of the consistent implementation of the further development of the agreements that were reached between Chisinau and Tiraspol, within the framework of strengthening confidence-building measures, and which are aimed at ensuring a comprehensive and viable settlement on the Dniester,” Lavrov said.

He also noted that Moscow expects to hold an official meeting in the 5 + 2 negotiation format as soon as possible, which, according to the Russian minister, “has been inactive for two years already”.

“We felt the interest of the Moldovan leadership in the early resumption of this format,” Lavrov added.

The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry also said that the parties agreed not to weaken their joint work to counter the new coronavirus infection.

“I confirmed Moscow’s readiness to continue to provide the necessary assistance to our Moldovan friends, including the supply of Russian vaccines to the republic and other types of cooperation,” the Russian minister said.

"A rather strange course"

As political scientist Alexander Asafov noted, commenting on Popescu's statements, Chisinau is "playing a double game", wishing at the same time to increase trade cooperation with Moscow and the CIS and at the same time to withdraw Russian peacekeepers from the Transnistrian region.

“This position of the renewed government of Moldova can be called absurd.

On the one hand, we are talking about the intention to deepen cooperation with the Russian Federation and the CIS, and on the other, about the desire to get rid of the Russian peacekeepers in Transnistria, continue the largely anti-Russian rhetoric oriented towards the West, and promote destructive ideas, often directed against Moscow.

With all this, Chisinau demands more intensive trade relations from Russia, as well as other assistance from the Russian Federation, ”the analyst said in a conversation with RT.

A similar position is shared by Vladimir Shapovalov, deputy director of the Institute of History and Politics at Moscow State Pedagogical University.

In his opinion, Popescu's statements about duties and Russian peacekeepers continue the “rather strange course and declarations” that the Russian Federation has been observing from the side of the new Moldovan government throughout the entire period of its existence.

• Parliament of Moldova

• AP

• © Roveliu Buga

"One gets the impression that the ministers of the republic are not competent and adequate in relation to the course they are pursuing," Shapovalov emphasized in a conversation with RT.

According to Asafov, Chisinau is not embarrassed by the absurdity of its own position and the fact that, while pursuing a largely anti-Russian course, the Moldovan authorities demand some kind of kind and constructive attitude towards themselves from Moscow.

“Moldova hopes that it will be able to achieve something from Russia with a clear anti-Russian position, to receive economic benefits, but this does not happen.

Moscow has already emphasized that it is ready for productive contacts without ambiguity, ”the expert stated.

Asafov also noted that Chisinau often “plays the Western card” when he realizes that it will not be possible to get concessions from Moscow so easily.

"Then appeals go to the EU countries and Western states with exclamations that Russia has offended Moldova, strangles it with duties and sells gas at high prices," the analyst said.

The same applies to the situation around the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict and the role of Russian peacekeepers in this process, Asafov noted.

As he said, the Moldovan side does not speak about the consequences of their hypothetical departure.

“And Moscow perfectly understands what this will lead to.

After that, there will be no one to defend the right of people to life and security in this region, which Moldovan politicians regularly call to “punish and bring to their knees,” the expert explained.

As Shapovalov noted, Russia is the guarantor of peace in Transnistria.

“Moscow will continue to fulfill its mission, since in fact security in these territories depends on the Russian Federation.

If it were not for her peacekeepers, the region would have plunged into a fratricidal war, ”the analyst emphasized.

Asafov called Moscow's constructive policy towards Chisinau.

According to him, it is based on an understanding of the importance of mutually beneficial cooperation, as well as on the willingness, no matter what, to help our Moldovan partners.

“When the republic needs help, Russia helps it, even closing its eyes to some strange circumstances of the rhetoric and actions of Chisinau.

The Russian authorities, despite Moldova's double standards, continue to support it, including by supplying gas on favorable terms, vaccines against coronavirus, as well as cooperating in other areas, ”the analyst said.

However, according to Shapovalov, at the same time, Chisinau should have a clear understanding that interaction with the Russian Federation "cannot be a game with only one goal."

“Any contacts must be constructive.

In this regard, the constant statements of an anti-Russian nature and the desire to annoy Russia, reaffirm its solidarity with the European community in defiance of the Russian Federation, actions towards Transnistria - all this indicates that the Moldovan authorities are not striving for good-neighborly relations, but wants to exchange measures loyal to the West, to certain mythical preferences.

Although it is Russia that provides the republic with actual assistance, ”the expert concluded.